Why should a technician avoid overheating a compressor shell while warming it during recovery?
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
Why should a technician avoid overheating a compressor shell while warming it during recovery?
- Heat lowers the pressure inside and makes the recovery stall
- Heat raises the pressure inside, and too much can rupture partsCorrect answer
- Heat turns the refrigerant into a solid
- Heat is never used in small-appliance recovery
Why “Heat raises the pressure inside, and too much can rupture parts” is correct
Heating refrigerant raises its saturation pressure. Gentle warming helps free refrigerant from the oil, but excessive heat on a sealed component can build pressure beyond what it can safely hold.
Source: EPA: Test Topics
Why the other answers are wrong
- Heat lowers the pressure inside and makes the recovery stall — Warming refrigerant raises its pressure; it does not lower it.
- Heat turns the refrigerant into a solid — Refrigerant does not freeze solid when warmed.
- Heat is never used in small-appliance recovery — Gentle heat is a listed recovery aid; the warning is about too much of it.
Practice more of this
More EPA 608 Type I practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.
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