What should be done with the compressor?

Recovery techniques · EPA 608 Type I. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Identifying refrigerants, access valves, passive recovery and solderless fittings.

The question

A technician connects a system-dependent recovery device to a refrigerator whose compressor still works. What should be done with the compressor?

• ARun it, so it pushes refrigerant into the containerCorrect answer
• BLeave it off to avoid damaging it
• CUnplug it and heat the shell instead
• DDisconnect its wiring so it cannot cycle on during recovery

Why “Run it, so it pushes refrigerant into the container” is correct

EPA's test topics list the need to operate an operative compressor when recovering with a system-dependent device. The passive device has no pump of its own, so the appliance compressor does the work and helps reach the 90 percent level.

Source: EPA: Test Topics; 40 CFR 82.156(b)

Why the other answers are wrong

• Leave it off to avoid damaging it — With a passive device, the running compressor is what moves most of the refrigerant out.
• Unplug it and heat the shell instead — Heating and striking the compressor are aids for a compressor that will not run.
• Disconnect its wiring so it cannot cycle on during recovery — Disabling a working compressor throws away the help a passive device depends on.

Practice more of this

More EPA 608 Type I practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.