636-LA 636 Louisiana (New Orleans) First Class Stationary Air Conditioning Practice Exam

1. Introduction to Stationary Air Conditioning Systems • Overview of Stationary Air Conditioning o Definition and purpose of stationary air conditioning o Key components of air conditioning systems (compressors, evaporators, condensers, etc.) o Types of air conditioning systems (central, split, window units, etc.) o History and evolution of stationary air conditioning technology • Industry Standards and Regulations o Louisiana state regulations related to HVAC systems o National and local building codes relevant to air conditioning systems o Environmental regulations (EPA, CFC, HCFC, HFC phase-out) o Certification requirements for air conditioning technicians in Louisiana ________________________________________ 2. Basic Principles of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning • Thermodynamics in Air Conditioning o The refrigeration cycle (evaporation, compression, condensation, expansion) o Understanding pressure-temperature relationships o Sensible vs. latent heat o Heat transfer mechanisms (convection, conduction, radiation) • Refrigerants o Types of refrigerants used in air conditioning systems o Properties of common refrigerants (R-22, R-410A, R-134A, etc.) o Refrigerant safety and handling practices o The role of refrigerant in the cooling cycle o Environmental impact and regulations surrounding refrigerant use ________________________________________ 3. Components of Air Conditioning Systems • Compressors o Types of compressors (reciprocating, scroll, centrifugal, etc.) o Function and operation of compressors o Compressor selection and sizing o Troubleshooting common compressor issues (overheating, electrical problems, etc.) • Evaporators and Condensers o Principles of operation for evaporators and condensers o Types of evaporators and condensers (finned, shell-and-tube, plate heat exchangers) o Sizing and selection of evaporators and condensers o Common faults and troubleshooting techniques for evaporators and condensers • Expansion Devices o Types of expansion devices (capillary tubes, thermostatic expansion valves, electronic expansion valves) o Function of expansion devices in the refrigeration cycle o Troubleshooting and diagnosing expansion valve problems ________________________________________ 4. Air Conditioning System Design and Sizing • Load Calculation for Air Conditioning Systems o Factors influencing cooling load (room size, insulation, solar heat gain, etc.) o Manual J Load Calculation method o Heat gain and loss considerations in residential and commercial buildings o Sizing air conditioning units based on cooling load calculations • Ductwork Design o Importance of proper ductwork design for system efficiency o Duct sizing and airflow requirements o Duct insulation and its impact on performance o Common ductwork issues and how to address them (leaks, poor airflow, noise) • System Sizing and Selection o How to choose the appropriate system capacity for different spaces o Selecting the right type of air conditioning unit (split system, packaged system, VRF, etc.) o Understanding and applying manufacturer specifications for system selection ________________________________________ 5. Installation and Maintenance Procedures • Site Preparation for Installation o Site evaluation and system placement considerations o Electrical requirements and wiring for air conditioning systems o Piping, ductwork, and insulation considerations for installation o Safety practices and code compliance during installation • Installation Procedures o Step-by-step installation process for stationary air conditioning systems o Proper refrigerant charging methods and procedures o System startup and performance testing o Troubleshooting installation issues (leaks, incorrect pressure levels, etc.) • Routine Maintenance and Inspections o Importance of regular maintenance for system efficiency and longevity o Basic air conditioning system maintenance tasks (filter replacement, coil cleaning, refrigerant check) o Inspection procedures for detecting wear and damage o Calibration of system controls and sensors o Diagnosing common air conditioning problems (reduced cooling capacity, noisy operation, etc.) ________________________________________ 6. Electrical Components and Controls • Electrical Circuits in Air Conditioning Systems o Understanding AC and DC circuits in stationary air conditioning o Basic electrical components (motors, contactors, capacitors, thermostats) o Electrical troubleshooting techniques (voltage testing, continuity testing) o Wiring diagrams and their importance in installation and troubleshooting • Controls and Sensors o Role of thermostats, pressure switches, and temperature sensors o Types of control systems (manual, programmable, smart thermostats) o Sequence of operation in air conditioning systems o Troubleshooting control system malfunctions ________________________________________ 7. Troubleshooting and Diagnostics • System Diagnosis o Identifying common operational issues (low cooling, icing, short cycling) o Pressure readings and their interpretation (high/low side pressures) o Airflow issues (blockages, improper ducting, fan failure) o Electrical troubleshooting (tripped breakers, faulty wiring) • Common Faults and Remedies o Compressor failure: causes, diagnostics, and solutions o Refrigerant leaks: detection methods, repair techniques, and recharging o Defective expansion valves: symptoms and repair strategies o Fan and motor failures: troubleshooting and replacement methods ________________________________________ 8. Safety Practices and Code Compliance • Safety Protocols o Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for technicians o Safe handling of refrigerants and electrical components o Lockout/tagout procedures for servicing systems o Hazardous materials handling and disposal (e.g., refrigerants, lubricants) • Code Compliance and Industry Standards o Relevant local codes and ordinances for HVAC systems in Louisiana o National standards for air conditioning systems (ASHRAE, NFPA) o Health and safety regulations related to HVAC operations (OSHA guidelines) o Environmental laws affecting refrigerant use and disposal ________________________________________ 9. Advanced Topics in Air Conditioning Systems • Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Practices o Understanding SEER, EER, and HSPF ratings o Energy-saving technologies in air conditioning (inverter-driven systems, variable speed motors) o The role of insulation and building design in improving system efficiency o Eco-friendly refrigerants and their impact on system design • Emerging Trends in Air Conditioning o The use of smart technology and IoT in modern HVAC systems o Automation in temperature control and system diagnostics o Integration of renewable energy systems (solar-powered air conditioners, geothermal HVAC) ________________________________________ 10. Practice Exam and Review • Comprehensive Review of Key Concepts o Recap of critical topics covered in the exam o Discussion of common problem areas and tips for success o Practice multiple-choice questions to test knowledge and application • Test-Taking Strategies o Time management tips for completing the exam o Analyzing and answering multiple-choice questions effectively o Dealing with difficult questions and guessing strategies