AUTO 1609 EPA 609 Certification

This course introduces students to the information needed to complete the Federal Clean Air Act Section 609 certification test for a motor vehicles air conditioning refrigerant technician. This course works in conjunction with the ESCO Institute 609 training manual exam. Students successfully completing this course and the ESCO exam will be certified by the ESCO Institute. (.5 lect.)

Credits

0.5 credits

Major Topics

  • The legal and environmental responsibilities of the motor vehicle air conditioning technician.
  • The Three R’s, Required Equipment, Refrigerants from Non-Mobile Sources, and Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) Refrigerant Systems.
  • Recovery Cylinders, Disposal of Empty / Near Empty Cylinders, Shipping and Transporting, Recovery Requirements.
  • Manifold Gauge Set, Recycling Requirements, Checking for Non-Condensable Gases, Leak Testing, Leak Repair.
  • Proper Charging and Recharging of Motorized Vehicle Air Conditioning (MVAC) Systems, Safety, HFC-134a, Retrofitting to HFC-134a.

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Describe who must be certified.

2. Describe ozone depletion.

3. Answer questions about the Montreal Protocol.

4. Identify what governmental agency oversees the federal clean air act, section 609.

5. Identify the potential fines associated with noncompliance with section 609.

6. Describe "Reclaim" as it relates to refrigerant and the federal clean air act.

7. Describe "Recycle" as it relates to refrigerant and the federal clean air act.

8. Describe "Recover" as it relates to refrigerant and the federal clean air act.

9. Differentiate between Recover only and Recover/Recycle equipment.

10. Describe the difference between CFC-12 refrigerant and HFC-134a refrigerant as it relates to the environment.

11. Describe alternative refrigerant recovery.

12. Describe the dangers of contaminated refrigerant.

13. Describe Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) Refrigerant Systems.

14. Explain the current move from HFC-134a to HFO-1234yf from a climate change perspective.

15. Contrast recovery cylinders and disposable cylinders.

16. Describe how often recovery cylinders must be hydrostatically tested and date stamped.

17. Describe how an empty disposable cylinder must be handled.

18. Describe how to check for non-condensable gases.

19. Identify a method of leak testing an Air Conditioning (A/C) system.

20. Identify a service manual as a source of Air Conditioning (A/C) specifications.

21. Describe how to recharge an Air Conditioning (A/C) system.

22. Describe the danger of exposing CFC-12 refrigerant to high temperatures.

23. Describe the difference in size between a CFC-12 and a HFC-134a refrigerant molecule.

24. Answer questions about retrofitting a CFC-12 system to a HFC-134a system.

25. Successfully pass the Esco Institute 609 certification exam.

Other Information

Any information placed here must be adhered to by all instructors:

Refer to current instructor for information about books, etc. Please contact the current instructor for text information.