Type I — Small AppliancesQuestion 109 of 240
A technician finds a household refrigerator whose sealed system was already opened and is now at 0 psig (atmospheric). During service the technician plans to recover any refrigerant present. What is the best action?
a.Still connect and recover whatever remains
b.Skip recovery because the gauge reads zero
c.Assume the appliance is exempt and crush it
d.Add nitrogen and vent it to confirm the system is empty
Explanation
Even when a gauge reads zero, a technician should connect recovery equipment and remove any remaining refrigerant, since some charge may still be present in the oil or cool spots. Skipping recovery risks venting. The proper practice is to always recover before repair or disposal rather than assume the system is empty.
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Related questions on this topic
- A technician wants to recover refrigerant faster from a small appliance in cold weather when system pressure is very low. Which safe method raises pressure to aid recovery?
- When a small appliance's compressor is operable, why does the rule require a higher recovery level (90%) than when it is inoperable (80%)?
- A recycling center employee, who is not an HVAC technician, is the last person to handle scrap refrigerators before shredding. What must the facility ensure?
- A water cooler and a household freezer are both factory-sealed with about 3 pounds of refrigerant each. A technician servicing them must, at minimum, hold which certification and follow which recovery rule?
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- A PTAC unit in a hotel room holds 4.5 pounds of R-410A and is factory-sealed. A technician must replace the compressor. Before opening the sealed system, the technician must:
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