During passive recovery, a technician wants to warm a dead compressor. Which heat source is the safer choice?
Safety · EPA 608 Type I. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Decomposition products of refrigerants at high temperatures, and safe handling.
The question
During passive recovery, a technician wants to warm a dead compressor. Which heat source is the safer choice?
- An oxy-acetylene torch on the shell
- A heat gun or heat lamp rather than an open flameCorrect answer
- A propane torch held on the compressor discharge line
- A heated brick placed inside the cabinet
Why “A heat gun or heat lamp rather than an open flame” is correct
Warming the compressor helps drive refrigerant out of the oil, but an open flame can decompose refrigerant at a leak and overheat the shell. A heat gun or heat lamp gives gentler, controlled heat.
Source: EPA: Test Topics
Why the other answers are wrong
- An oxy-acetylene torch on the shell — An open flame risks decomposing any leaking refrigerant and overheating the shell.
- A propane torch held on the compressor discharge line — Any open flame near refrigerant can create toxic decomposition products.
- A heated brick placed inside the cabinet — This is not a controlled way to warm the compressor and is a fire risk.
Practice more of this
More EPA 608 Type I practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.
Unofficial, not affiliated with the EPA or any EPA-approved certifying organization. Questions are original practice written from public EPA material, not real exam questions.