History of Technician Certification Programs

Technician certification programs can be divided into two categories. They are:

Mandatory Technician Certification Programs Voluntary Technician Certification Programs

Mandatory Technician Certification ProgramsMandatory technician certification programs involve the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) mandated technician certification which falls under the Clean Air Act amendments. This certification mandated that all technicians be certified after November 14, 1994. All technicians must now pass an examination administered by an approved EPA testing organization in the private sector in order to purchase refrigerant and to work on equipment that contains refrigerant. A technician for this mandatory certification is defined as installers, contractor employees, in-house service personnel, and anyone else who performs installation, maintains, or repairs that might reasonably have the opportunity to release CFC or HCFC refrigerants into the atmosphere. The EPA created three separate certification types:

Small appliances High and very high-pressure appliances Low pressure appliances

Persons who successfully pass a core of questions on stratospheric ozone protection and legislation and also pass one of the three certification types will be certified in that type. If all three certification types are passed, a person will be universally certified. To this date, the EPA is not requiring re-certification. However, it will be the technicians’ responsibility to keep updated on new technologies and governmental rule changes. More on mandatory technician certification is covered in Chapter 9 of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 4th edition.

Voluntary Technician Certification ProgramsVoluntary technician certification programs are becoming very popular because they are industry led and are much more comprehensive in nature when compared to mandatory certifications. They give technicians an educational opportunity from the beginning to the end of their careers. These programs allow technicians to become recognized at their level of expertise. Their diverse nature allow for almost every avenue of industry to be covered. Voluntary technician certification is based on the courses taken for each level, with an outline and roadmap of what material will be covered on the test and where to find the material. Organizations involved with voluntary technician certification include:

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) HVAC Excellence North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)

Industry Competency Examination (ICE)

The Industry Competency Examination (ICE) was developed in 1987 by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) and is a voluntary entry-level examination that has the support of many major industry associations and manufacturers. The ICE exam is a standard measuring instrument for entry-level secondary and post-secondary HVACR schools. The ICE examination is divided into three exams:

Residential Air Conditioning and Heating Light Commercial Air Conditioning and Heating Commercial Refrigeration

The ICE exam is designed for students who have completed at least 75% of a training program or degree program. These same students should have completed all of the core HVACR courses prior to taking the ICE test. Once a student passes the ICE exam, they should be encouraged to take other more advanced voluntary exams after at least one year of field experience.

Each of the three ICE tests have 100 multiple-choice questions and the student taking the test must score at least 60% to pass. Passing the ICE test simply shows that the person has the basic knowledge to enter the industry as an entry-level technician. The test may be taken again if the student fails the exam. At the time of writing, the cost for each test is $30.00. Once a student passes an ICE exam, their name will be nationally published in a trade magazine and in a national job bank. The student will also receive a score report, wallet card, and a certificate of competency.

The ICE test allows students to compete nationally and to compare themselves with other students across the nation. Once a student passes the ICE test, other more advanced and comprehensive tests can be taken, usually after at least one year of practical experience.

Why Technicians Should Become Voluntarily CertifiedSome advantages of having certification are:

Customers tend to ask for certified technicians because of their reliability Certified technicians remain in the industry longer and have more self confidence Certification shows that the technician has entry-level ability Certified technicians earn more money during their careers Equipment manufacturers develop faith in certified technicians Certified technicians are much more marketable Certified technicians have proven technical proficiencies with measured

capabilities

Certification enhances a technician’s reputation Certification gives technicians a status symbol for others to look up to Higher standards are set on the job by certified technicians Customers request certified technicians because they are more productive

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 4 th edition is a text students can study to successfully pass all three of the ICE examinations. The authors of this text have provided 15 practice study questions for each of the three sections of the ICE examination to assist the student in getting acquainted with the type of questions they may encounter on the exam. However, memorizing the answers for these 45 questions will not help you pass the exam because it is knowledge based. The ICE exams cover long-term knowledge of what is taught in training or degree program curriculums and laboratories. Listed below are 45 sample questions, answers, and associated sections in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 4 th edition book, where the answers to the questions can be found.

SAMPLE QUESTIONSResidential Air Conditioning and Heating Exam

1. The recommended oil pressure from the pump to the nozzle in a residential oil furnace is:a. 50 psib. 75 psic. 100 psi d. 150 psi

2. High efficiency gas furnaces (90% and higher) may:a. have aluminum venting.b. have an extra heat exchanger.c. insure that flue gases are vented quickly.d. have type B gas venting.

3. In an air conditioning unit with a TXV and no bleed port a compressor motor must be used with:a. a high starting torque.b. a low starting torque.c. a shaded pole.d. three phases.

4. The normal air conditioning evaporator boiling temperature when operating at the 75F 50% humidity condition is:a. 25F.b. 32F.c. 40F.

d. 58F.

5. The function of a heat anticipator is to cause the furnace to:a. continue to operate in a normal manner.b. shut down later than it would normally.c. shut down earlier than it would normally.d. operate in a highly efficient manner.

6. The following energy efficiency rating system of air conditioning equipment includes the start-up and shut-down cycles:a. PTCb. SCRc. EERd. SEER

7. In an air conditioning system using R-22 the evaporator is operating under normal conditions. The suction line pressure is 70 psig with 10F superheat. The suction line temperature is:a. 30F.b. 35F.c. 40F.d. 50F.

8. A fully modulating gas furnace modulates the gas to the burner and:a. varies the fan speed.b. the amount of corrosion.c. cycling of the limit switch.d. flame at the thermocouple.

9. A horizontal vent pipe from a standard gas furnace should rise at least:a. 1/8″ per foot.b. ¼″ per foot.c. ½″ per foot.d. 1″ per foot.

10. To determine whether or not an air conditioning compressor has a shorted winding, the following instrument would be used:a. ammeterb. voltmeterc. ohmmeterd. vacuum gage

11. Three common automatic controls used in central forced air electric furnaces are a thermostat, contactor (or relay), and:a. thermocouple.b. sequencer.

c. glow-coil.d. cad cell.

12. One horsepower equals:a. 392 W.b. 647 W.c. 746 W.d. 932 W.

13. In the air source heat pump both the indoor and outdoor coil must have a:a. metering device.b. compressor unit. c. glow-coil.d. cad cell.

14. A thermostatic expansion valve(TXV) is a form of:a. electronic control.b. metering device.c. check valve.d. filter drier.

15. For greatest accuracy when measuring air movement for balancing, the velocity should be averaged over the:a. entire length of the duct.b. upper width of the duct.c. height of the duct.d. entire cross section of the duct

Answers to Sample Test Questions for Residential Air Conditioning and Heating Exam

Paragraph No. Answers

1. 31.5 c2. 30.28 b3. 36.23 a4. 40.4 c5. 15.3 c6. 40.10 d7. 40.4 d8. 30.27 a9. 30.28 b10. 41.11 c11. 29.8 b12. 2.14 c13. 43.11 a

14. 43.12 b15. 37.27 d

Light Commercial Air Conditioning and Heating Exam

1. Which of the following positions should a service valve be turned to before removing the service cap and installing gage lines. 

a. back-seatedb. front-seatedc. mid-seatedd. side-seated

2. Proving the flame is present and firing on a direct spark ignitionsystem (DSI) is accomplished with which of the following.

a. cad cell sensorb. flame rectificationc. flame positiond. flame color

3. A good safety precaution while servicing an oil heat furnace with a'no heat' complaint would be to:a. turn the whole house power off.b. a check the combustion chamber for liquid oil.c. change the oil nozzle.d. add oil to the tank.

4. The large insulated line between the indoor unit and the outdoor uniton a heat pump carries: a. hot gas during the heating cycle and cold gas during the cooling cycle.b. liquid during the cooling cycle and hot gas during the cooling cycle.c. cold liquid during the cooling cycle and hot gas during the heating

cycle.d. only oil during both the heating and cooling.

5. When ice builds up on the outdoor coil of a heat pump, which of thefollowing is used to remove the frost? a. electric heatersb. warm waterc. gas heatd. reverse cycle operation

6. The manager of a motel calls in a 'no cooling' call. The service manarrives and finds it to be an R-22 water cooled system. The compressoris cycling on and off from high head pressure and the liquid line isvery hot. The water from the cooling tower is 80 degs F with the waterreturning to the tower being 85 degs F. The probable cause is:a. dirty refrigerant drierb. over charge of refrigerantc. dirty condenser tubes d. inefficient compressor

7. Superheat occurs in which of the two parts of the refrigerant cycle? a. the liquid line and the thermostatb. expansion device and the liquid linec. liquid line and the condenserd. evaporator and the condenser

8. When a compressor has a suction valve that is stuck open it causes:a. high head pressure and high amperageb. low suction pressure and high amperagec. high suction pressure and low amperaged. high suction pressure and high amperage

9. When a duct system is properly designed and there is a reduction in the trunk line size as air is supplied to the system it will provide:a. an increase in air volumeb. a decrease in static pressurec. the correct system pressure for proper air deliveryd. too little air for the downstream outlets

10. The air that is mixed with the gas in the venturi of a gas burner iscalled:a. return airb. primary airc. dense aird. dilution air

11.When taking the efficiency of an oil furnace, which of the following readings would you take?a. stack temperature and outlet air temperatureb. C02 and return air temperature c. net stack temperature and CO2d. oil temperature and net stack temperature

12. The manifold gas pressure for an LP gas system is:  a. 2 psi.b. 10 inches of vacuum.

c. atmospheric pressure.d. 10 to 11 inches of water column.

13. When a compressor is changed in an air conditioning system, thesystem should be evacuated to:a. atmospheric pressure. b. 20 inches of Hg.c. 2000 microns.d. 500 microns or lower.

14. When an electric heat system has a voltage of 235 volts and the amperage is 22, what is the heat output of the electric heat strip?a. 4000 kwb. 5170 kwc. 5170 wattsd. 4000 watts

15. When you want a fan to move more air with a belt drive fan and motor, you would:a. close the drive pulley down by adjustment. b. open the drive pulley by adjustment change fans. c. install a smaller motor pulley.d. change fans.

Answers to Sample Test Questions for Light Commercial Air Conditioning and Exam

Paragraph No. Answers1. 25.37, 25.38 a2. 30.23, 30.24 b3. 31.7 b4. 43.10, fig. 43-10 a 5. 43.29 d6. 28.10 c7. 26.13, fig. 23-1 d8. 43.36 c9. 37.12 c10. 25.11, 25.19 b11. 31.14 c12. 30.3 d13. 8.5 d14. 29.15 c15. 23.4 a

Commercial Refrigeration Exam.

1. A multi-circuit evaporator coil incorporating a distributor may be unevenly fed with refrigerant because of:a. high head pressureb. uneven air distributionc. low suction pressured. high liquid subcooling

2. The best method for checking to see if an evaporator coil has the proper level of refrigerant is to check its:

a. air flowb. temperature differencec. frost linesd. superheat

3. When a technician is charging an R-400 series blend with fractionation potential into an operating system, they must remember to:a. remove liquid from the charging cylinder and then vaporize the liquid

through a metering valve (restrictor) before entering the compressor b. liquid charge the compressor through the suction valve c. remove vapor from the charging cylinder and charge the vapor in the suction

service valve d. liquid charge the high side of the system

4. In a water-cooled condenser system, the water regulating valve varies the flow of water to the condenser to suit the needs of the system. The bellows of the water- regulating valve is connected to the:

a. low side of the refrigeration systemb. high side of the refrigeration systemc. city water pressured. atmospheric pressure

5. A potential relay consists of a high resistance coil and a set of normally closed contacts. The relay coil is wired between terminals 2 and 5, which is also in parallel to the:

a. run windingb. run and start windingc. motor’s overloadd. start winding

6. The coil in a current relay is wired in series with the:a. start windingb. start capacitor

c. run windingd. run capacitor

7. When dealing with an open-type compressor, if a larger drive pulley is used on the same motor, the compressor will:

a. turn fasterb. turn slowerc. remain at the same speedd. draw lower amperage

8. A gauge on the high side of a refrigeration system reads 157.6 psig. A gauge on the low side of a refrigeration system reads 0.6 psig. What would be the compression ratio or pressure ratio of the system?a. 11.1 To 1b. 13.0 To 1c. 12.5 To 1d. 15.0 To 1

9. A heat exchanger is often placed in or at the suction line leaving the evaporator. The heat exchange is between the liquid line and the suction line and it causes:a. decreased head pressureb. increased suction pressurec. increased evaporator capacityd. decreased subcooling

10. An oil pressure safety control is a pressure differential control that measures net oil pressure. The control measures the difference between the crankcase

(suction pressure) and:a. oil pump outlet pressureb. oil pump inlet pressurec. low side pressured. high side pressure

11. Refrigerated display cases often have resistance type heaters that are run just under the cabinet to prevent condensation formation. These heaters are called:a. division heatersb. side heatersc. surface heatersd. mullion heaters

12. The crankcase heater’s purpose is to:a. keep refrigerant from migrating to the oil during an off cycle b. give the oil a lower viscosityc. keep the crankcase from falling below 32 degrees Fahrenheit

d. prevent compressor flooding

13. This device is used on multi-circuited evaporators and fastened to the outlet of the expansion valve. Its main function is to distribute the refrigerant to each individual evaporator circuit evenly. The device is:a. evaporator pressure regulatorb. refrigerant distributorc. crankcase pressure regulatord. heat exchanger

14. The function of the crankcase pressure-regulating (CPR) valve is to:

a. prevent compressor overloads during pulldowns b. keep a constant crankcase pressurec. keep the oil in the crankcase pressurizedd. help the compressor start during high loads

15. Which symptoms are indications of an inefficient compressor from either leaking valves or worn rings:

a. low suction pressure and low head pressureb. high suction pressure and low head pressurec. high suction pressure and high head pressured. low suction pressure and high head pressure

Answers to Sample Test Questions for the Commercial Refrigeration Exam

Paragraph nos. Answers1. 21.15 b2. 21.13 d3. 10.3 a4. 22.9 b5. 17.18 d6. 17.19 c7. 18.7 a8. 23.9 a9. 25.35 c10. 14.12 a11. 26.18 d12. 25.46 a13. 25.34 b14. 25.6 a15. 28.21 b

ICE TEST STUDY GUIDE

The authors of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology 4 th edition have developed the study guide below to help technicians read and research important topics that may be covered somewhere on the ICE exam. The three exams have been separated for ease of study. In each case, a topic has been identified followed by the section numbers in the book for a quick route in finding the topic and its related information for the technician to study.

Residential Air Conditioning and Heating Exam Study Guide

When preparing for the above ICE test, it is suggested that the following topics are important and should be reviewed.

Topics Paragraph Nos in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology 4 th edition

Air Conditioning

Soldering and brazing 7.11Hard-drawn copper tubing 7.2Accumulator 25.36Capillary tube metering devices 41.7Heat loads across evaporator 40.3Checking resistance on compressor motor windings 20.7, 20.8, 20.9, 45.32, 12.20Superheat 10.6, 41.8Evaporator coil temperatures 36.6, Unit 41 Diagnostic ChartLeak detection 8.9Air velocity in ducts 5.2, 37.5, 37.27Potential relay 17.18Refrigerant recovery cylinders 9.15Speed changes in PSC blower motors 17.14Vibration eliminators 37.9Infiltration 34.2Air conditioning system evacuation 8.1, 8.5, 8.7Air conditioning refrigerant charge 28.13Compressor crankcase heat 25.46 Electric motor protection devices 19.6, 19.7, 19.8, 19.10Air conditioning indoor airflow 37.4Compressor cycling 39.9, Unit 41 Service Technician Calls

Subcooling 3.5, 3.9Wire sizes 12.22Refrigerant in confined spaces 4.7Correct air quantity 37.2High discharge pressures 41.3, Unit 41 Preventive MaintenanceAirflow over evaporator 36.6, Unit 41 Diagnostic ChartSuction line filter-driers 25.37Static pressure measurements 37.5Indoor blower motors Unit 41 Technician Service CallElectric motor starting torque 13.6Low ambient controls 25.9, 25.10, 25.11, 25.12, 25.13Installing gages on an air Conditioning system 25.38, 25.39Refrigerants as a toxic gas 4.7Blower motors and fans 37.7Flex duct 38.6Air conditioning electrical installation 38.7

Heat Pumps

Heat pump balance point 43.20Thermostatic expansion valves 24.2, 24.16, 24.21, 28.22 Service Technician Calls Hermetic compressor motor windings 17.17, 20.8Heat pump metering devices 43.11, 43.12, 43.14, 43.17Heat pump lines 43.10Heat pump check valves 43.12Heat pump defrost 43.29Heat pump refrigerant charge 43.34, 43.37Heat pump thermostats 43.28

Heating, Gas, Oil, and Electric Furnaces

Heat anticipators 14.3Gas furnace vent safety switch 30.35Gas furnace spark ignition pilot light 30.35Manifold pressures in gas-fired furnaces 30.5Direct spark ignition lockout 30.24Manifold pressures for propane systems 30.3Two stage gas furnaces 30.27Gas furnace piping 30.29Gas furnace venting 30.28

Electronic air cleaner 30.35Gas furnace high limit control 30.36, Unit 30 Preventive MaintenanceFlame rectification 30.24Induced draft gas furnaces 30.28Gas furnace limit switch 30.16

Oil furnace oil pump 31.5Oil furnace safety precautions 31.7, 31.8, 31.15Oil burner ignition 31.5Oil furnace combustion efficiency 31.14, 31.15

kW’s to Btu’s 2.14Electric furnace sequencers 29.10Electric furnace kW 12.14, 29.15

LIGHT COMMERCIAL AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING EXAM STUDY GUIDE

It is suggested that when preparing for the ICE test that concentratingon these particular paragraphs will help the applicant obtain a higherscore.

AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE PARAGRAPHService valves and their use    25.37 & 25.38Water cooled condenser application   22.10, 28.9, 28.10 & 44.40Crank case heat application    38.13System evacuation practices    8.5Refrigerant line restrictions    28.5Dirty condenser conditions    28.15 & 49.11Fan rotation analysis     38.13heTXV sensing element installation   24.21Motor pulley adjustment     23.4Vacuum pump maintenance    8.3Measuring air flow in ducts    37.5 & 37.27Low ambient condenser operation   40.5Compressor low pressure protection   14.11Superheat in the system     3.11, 21.13 & 23.1

Frozen evaporator      42.3Liquid line flash gas     28.6Compressor capacity control    48.4Refrigerant charging by weight    43.37Compressor efficiency     28.21Electrical check of a 3 phase compressor  20.14 & 17.41Condenser control circuit wiring   39.6TXV operation      28.16Latent head load on a system    40.2 & 40.3Open flame and refrigerant    4.7Trunk duct sizing      37.12Using nitrogen while brazing    4.1Substituting refrigerants     3.12Fresh air adjustment to a system   35.13Low ambient control for condensers   25.11 & 25.19Duct installation      37.16Density of water      32.8

HEAT PUMPSLine set identification     43.10 & 43.144-way valve operation     43.3Defrost cycle      43.29Heat pump operating pressures    43.34Auxiliary heat      43.28, 43.37 & 43.38Check valve operation     43.16Indoor & outdoor coil descriptions   43.9Expansion devices      43.34Checking the refrigerant charge    41.8Water source heat pump operation   44.5

OIL HEATLiquid oil in the combustion chamber   31.7Combustion analysis     31.14

GAS HEATBlowing burner flame     Page 608, Preventive maintenanceDraft proving circuit     30.28Fan cycle adjustment     30.31Flame rectification      30.23 & 30.24Gas manifold pressure     30.3Primary air adjustment     30.4Non by pass humidifier     34.9Heat anticipator settings     14.3High limit control function    30.16Soap bubbles for leak checking   30.29

ELECTRIC HEATPower consumption     29.15Preventative maintenance     Page 566Checking electrical contacts with a volt meter 19.5

COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION EXAM STUDY GUIDE

It is suggested that when preparing for the ICE test that concentratingon these particular paragraphs will help the applicant obtain a higherscore.

Important Topics Found in Book Sections Refrigerant distributors Series & Parallel circuits Electrical Power Transformers Oil separators Refrigerant cylinders Refrigerants Refrigerant blends Refrigerant oils and their

applications Recover, recycle, reclaim Restricted thermostatic

expansion valves Inefficient evaporators Refrigerant safety group

classifications Manual pump downs Single phase motors and

motor windings Thermistors and other

semiconductors Troubleshooting and

typical operating conditions for air cooled equipment

24.4 and 24.6 12.12 and 12.13 12.14 12.17 25.43 4.1 and 9.14 9.4 through 9.8 9.9 9.10 and 9.11

9.13, 9.14, 9.15, 9.16 28.16

21.15 and 28.14 4.7 and 4.8

25.30 17.8, 17.9, 17.10, 17.12, 17.13,

17.14, 17.15 12.24, and 13.6

28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4, 28.5, 28.6, 28.7

Troubleshooting and typical operating conditions for water cooled equipment

Typical system problems

Automatic expansion valves

Capillary tube metering devices

Thermostatic expansion valves

Thermostatic expansion valve charges

Remote bulb (sensing bulb) installation

Internally and externally equalized TXVs

Balanced port TXV

Solid state expansion valves

Pressure ratio or compression ratio

Pressure and temperature relationships

Basic system components

Understanding superheat and subcooling

28.8, 28.9, 28.10,

28.11, 28.12, 28.13, 28.14, 28.15, 28.16, 28.17.

24.23, 24.24, 24.25

24.26, and 24.27

24.2, 24.3, 24.3, 24.5, 24.6, 24.7, 24.8

24.9, 24.10, 24.11, 24.12, 24.13

24.21

24.14, 24.15

24.18

24.22

23.1

3.5

3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10

3.11, 21.13

System evacuation and non-condensables in the system

Pressure gages and psig to psia conversions

Evaporator Pressure Regulators (EPRs)

Crankcase Pressure Regulators (CPRs)

Low ambient controls

Low and high pressure controls

Oil pressure safety control

Defrost cycles and controls

Crankcase heater

Suction line accumulators, suction line filter driers, and suction line service valves.

Discharge service valves and vibration eliminators

The potential relay and the current relay

Three phase motors & compressors

Variable speed motors

Application of motors with current and voltages

8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7

1.12

25.4, 25.5,

25.6, 25.7

25.9, 25.10, 25.11, 25.12, 25.13, 25.19

14.9, 14.10, 14.11, 25.15, 25.16, 25.17, 25.18

14.12, 25.20

25.21, 25.22, 25.23, 25.24, 25.25, 25.26, 25.27

25.46

25.36, 25.37, 25.38

25.39, 25.40, 25.44

17.18, 17.19,

17.16, 17.23

17.24

18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4

Soldering and brazing processes

Water regulating valves

Suction line/liquid line heat exchangers

Charging refrigerants and refrigerant blends into a system

Restricted distributor tube

Water cooled condensers

Ice making equipment

Troubleshooting basic controls

Typical wiring diagrams for commercial refrigeration circuits

7.7, 7.8, 7.9,7.10, 7.11, 7.12

14.16

25.35

10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6

21.15 & 21.16

22.2, 22.3, 22.4, 22.5, 22.6, 22.8, 22.9, 22.10

26.27, 26.28, 26.29, 26.30, 26.31, 26.32, 26.33, 26.34

15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5, 15.6

26.3