Industry Competency Exam (ICE) Light
Commercial HVAC Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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1. What is the primary purpose of a compressor in a vapor-compression
refrigeration system?
A. To remove moisture from the air
B. To circulate refrigerant and raise its pressure
C. To reduce condenser pressure
D. To meter refrigerant into the evaporator
Answer: To circulate refrigerant and raise its pressure
Rationale: The compressor draws low-pressure refrigerant vapor from the
evaporator and compresses it into a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor for
delivery to the condenser.
2. Which component meters refrigerant into an evaporator?
A. Receiver
B. Accumulator
C. Expansion device
D. Condenser
Answer: Expansion device
,Rationale: The expansion device controls refrigerant flow into the evaporator
and creates the pressure drop needed for evaporation.
3. What is the normal function of a condenser?
A. Absorb heat from the conditioned space
B. Reject heat from the refrigerant
C. Lower suction pressure
D. Increase evaporator airflow
Answer: Reject heat from the refrigerant
Rationale: The condenser removes heat from the high-pressure refrigerant
vapor, causing it to condense into a liquid.
4. Superheat is the temperature of a vapor above its:
A. Freezing point
B. Saturation temperature
C. Condensing temperature
D. Ambient temperature
Answer: Saturation temperature
Rationale: Superheat is the number of degrees a vapor is heated above its
saturation temperature at a given pressure.
5. Subcooling refers to liquid refrigerant being cooled below its:
A. Dew point
B. Evaporating temperature
C. Saturation temperature
D. Ambient temperature
Answer: Saturation temperature
Rationale: Subcooling is the temperature difference between the liquid's
saturation temperature and its actual temperature.
, 6. Which instrument is commonly used to measure refrigerant pressure?
A. Manifold gauge set
B. Megohmmeter
C. Clamp thermometer
D. Psychrometer
Answer: Manifold gauge set
Rationale: A refrigeration manifold gauge set allows the technician to measure
system pressures and, when properly connected, service the refrigerant circuit.
7. What does a high evaporator superheat condition commonly indicate?
A. Excessive refrigerant flow
B. An evaporator starved of refrigerant
C. A flooded compressor
D. Excessive condenser flooding
Answer: An evaporator starved of refrigerant
Rationale: High superheat can occur when insufficient refrigerant reaches the
evaporator, although airflow, metering-device, and load conditions must also be
evaluated.
8. What is one common cause of low evaporator superheat?
A. Restricted airflow
B. Overfeeding of the evaporator
C. Low outdoor temperature only
D. Dirty condenser coil
Answer: Overfeeding of the evaporator
Rationale: Excessive refrigerant entering the evaporator can reduce superheat
and may allow liquid refrigerant to approach or enter the compressor.
9. What is the purpose of a filter-drier?
, A. Increase compressor speed
B. Remove moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant
C. Increase airflow
D. Raise evaporator temperature
Answer: Remove moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant
Rationale: Filter-driers help remove moisture, acid-forming contaminants, and
particulate matter from the refrigeration circuit.
10.What condition can occur when noncondensable gases are present in a
refrigeration system?
A. Abnormally low head pressure
B. Elevated condensing pressure
C. Reduced compressor temperature
D. Increased evaporator airflow
Answer: Elevated condensing pressure
Rationale: Noncondensables such as air occupy condenser volume and interfere
with heat transfer, commonly causing elevated head pressure.
11.What is the purpose of a crankcase heater?
A. Increase evaporator airflow
B. Prevent refrigerant migration and oil dilution during shutdown
C. Cool the condenser
D. Raise suction pressure
Answer: Prevent refrigerant migration and oil dilution during shutdown
Rationale: A crankcase heater keeps compressor oil warm enough to reduce
refrigerant migration and excessive refrigerant dissolution into the oil.
12.What is the main function of a suction accumulator?
Commercial HVAC Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. What is the primary purpose of a compressor in a vapor-compression
refrigeration system?
A. To remove moisture from the air
B. To circulate refrigerant and raise its pressure
C. To reduce condenser pressure
D. To meter refrigerant into the evaporator
Answer: To circulate refrigerant and raise its pressure
Rationale: The compressor draws low-pressure refrigerant vapor from the
evaporator and compresses it into a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor for
delivery to the condenser.
2. Which component meters refrigerant into an evaporator?
A. Receiver
B. Accumulator
C. Expansion device
D. Condenser
Answer: Expansion device
,Rationale: The expansion device controls refrigerant flow into the evaporator
and creates the pressure drop needed for evaporation.
3. What is the normal function of a condenser?
A. Absorb heat from the conditioned space
B. Reject heat from the refrigerant
C. Lower suction pressure
D. Increase evaporator airflow
Answer: Reject heat from the refrigerant
Rationale: The condenser removes heat from the high-pressure refrigerant
vapor, causing it to condense into a liquid.
4. Superheat is the temperature of a vapor above its:
A. Freezing point
B. Saturation temperature
C. Condensing temperature
D. Ambient temperature
Answer: Saturation temperature
Rationale: Superheat is the number of degrees a vapor is heated above its
saturation temperature at a given pressure.
5. Subcooling refers to liquid refrigerant being cooled below its:
A. Dew point
B. Evaporating temperature
C. Saturation temperature
D. Ambient temperature
Answer: Saturation temperature
Rationale: Subcooling is the temperature difference between the liquid's
saturation temperature and its actual temperature.
, 6. Which instrument is commonly used to measure refrigerant pressure?
A. Manifold gauge set
B. Megohmmeter
C. Clamp thermometer
D. Psychrometer
Answer: Manifold gauge set
Rationale: A refrigeration manifold gauge set allows the technician to measure
system pressures and, when properly connected, service the refrigerant circuit.
7. What does a high evaporator superheat condition commonly indicate?
A. Excessive refrigerant flow
B. An evaporator starved of refrigerant
C. A flooded compressor
D. Excessive condenser flooding
Answer: An evaporator starved of refrigerant
Rationale: High superheat can occur when insufficient refrigerant reaches the
evaporator, although airflow, metering-device, and load conditions must also be
evaluated.
8. What is one common cause of low evaporator superheat?
A. Restricted airflow
B. Overfeeding of the evaporator
C. Low outdoor temperature only
D. Dirty condenser coil
Answer: Overfeeding of the evaporator
Rationale: Excessive refrigerant entering the evaporator can reduce superheat
and may allow liquid refrigerant to approach or enter the compressor.
9. What is the purpose of a filter-drier?
, A. Increase compressor speed
B. Remove moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant
C. Increase airflow
D. Raise evaporator temperature
Answer: Remove moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant
Rationale: Filter-driers help remove moisture, acid-forming contaminants, and
particulate matter from the refrigeration circuit.
10.What condition can occur when noncondensable gases are present in a
refrigeration system?
A. Abnormally low head pressure
B. Elevated condensing pressure
C. Reduced compressor temperature
D. Increased evaporator airflow
Answer: Elevated condensing pressure
Rationale: Noncondensables such as air occupy condenser volume and interfere
with heat transfer, commonly causing elevated head pressure.
11.What is the purpose of a crankcase heater?
A. Increase evaporator airflow
B. Prevent refrigerant migration and oil dilution during shutdown
C. Cool the condenser
D. Raise suction pressure
Answer: Prevent refrigerant migration and oil dilution during shutdown
Rationale: A crankcase heater keeps compressor oil warm enough to reduce
refrigerant migration and excessive refrigerant dissolution into the oil.
12.What is the main function of a suction accumulator?
