How to take EPA 608 Certification test successfully?

I recently took the EPA 608 certification test without taking any online or offline training classes (Meaning that I did not spend a single penny other than my spare time to prepare). After about a month of self study, I was able to score core 100%, type I 92%, type II 88% and type III 84%. You only need to score 70% or above to pass in each category. Since I passed all 4 categories, I get the EPA 608 universal certification. I share my most recent experience so that you can benefit.

I found all online free materials and studied all the materials at spare time of my full time job. What I found the most useful are the following two documents, if you do google search you will find them online for free download. I put them here for your convenience. They belong to whoever placed them online originally.


1. EPA Section 608 Certification Study Guide
2. EPA 608 Study Guide (new 2018)

I spent most of my time on the first study guide and read every page many times. I used the second study guide to make sure that the content in the first is accurate. EPA recently made some updates, as the rule says, technician is responsible to get him or her self updated when rules/regulations change.

Most importantly, I practiced so many times online at EPA 608 Practice Tests. The site has more than 600 practice tests, I have practiced all of them many times. Right before the tests, I got up really early in the morning and I spent about 3 hours and redid all of them once more so that I can remember some of the questions and answers. Just a small notes, couple of the questions have wrong answers, but if you study these two guide carefully, you will be able to figure out which ones provided wrong answer. In any case, this is really a great site and I really appreciate what they provided. Big thanks to the site.

I have also created this chart based on a chart I found online. Since the original chart missed quite few things and terms, I added the ones I feel are very important to know.  If you do not know too much about HVACR, you probably will find this chart helpful.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Heat Pump Refrigerant Flow Chart

Image
Heat pump system basically works in both winter and summer time because it converts condenser and evaporator role. In winter time, the indoor unit becomes condenser and outdoor unit becomes evaporator, in summer time, the indoor unit becomes evaporator and outdoor unit becomes condenser. The liquid line out of the compressor always contains liquid, the vapor line into the compressor always contains vapor. When liquid hit reversing valve, things change in winter and summer mode. See the chart below: The refrigerant lines that connect the indoor coil with the outdoor coil are the gas line (hot gas in winter and cold gas in summer) and liquid line. The liquid line is always the liquid line; the flow reverses from season to season.
Read more

TXV and temperatures

The typical TXV comes factory set for 8-12 degrees of evaporator superheat, which in most cases should be fine. What is the correct setting for evaporator superheat? While it is true lower superheat will make the evaporator more efficient, we need to be more concerned with the compressor or total superheat. If we check the superheat on the suction line 6” from the compressor we should normally have at least 20 degrees of total superheat. This will ensure the compressor is not slugging with liquid even when frost is present. The suction line temperature at the compressor should not exceed 65 degrees to ensure proper compressor cooling. The last but most important reading is the discharge line temperature taken 6” from the compressor. This temperature should never exceed 220 degrees, as higher discharge temperatures will lead to compressor failures. Reducing superheat will lower both the compressor suction line and discharge l...
Read more

EPA REGULATIONS IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

1987 Montreal protocol signed by the United States and 22 other nations. 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendment of 1990 assigns EPA authority to control ozone depleting substances. 7/1/1992 It is illegal under Federal law to knowingly vent or release refrigerants in Class I(CFC) or Class II(HCFC) into the environment. 8/12/1993 All persons/contractors/shops must certify ownership of recovery machines to EPA. To satisfy this requirement all recovery (to include home made) must be registered with the regional EPA office for your area using an OMB# 2060-0256 Form. 10/15/1993 All technicians must take a closed book examination to become certified under EPA rules. 11/15/1993 Recovery and recycling machines must meet stricter EPA standards pertaining to evacuation levels for machines manufactured after this date. 11/15/1994 A technician cannot perform work on an air conditioning or refrigeration system requiring access to the refrigerant charge unless the technician is certified for that type of...
Read more