10601330Refrigeration Fundamentals
Course Information
Description
Topics include terminology, the refrigeration cycle, safety, refrigerants, lubricants, and environmental issues. Operate, evacuate, charge, and repair basic refrigeration units. Identify applications of HVAC components, refrigeration controls, condensers, heat exchangers, dampers, blowers, compressors. Use common and high tech tools of HVAC industry conduct preventive maintenance / repair procedures. Use of virtual interactive troubleshooting programs to reinforce troubleshooting skills. Reinforce documentation of work procedures and complete refrigerant tracking reports. Cover in depth existing and newly developed refrigerants.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Practice shop safety
    Assessment Strategies
    Written objective test
    Lab performance
    Criteria
    Describe basic shop safety rules
    Perform lockout/tagout procedures
    Choose the correct personal protective equipment for given tasks
    Identify potential safety hazards that can be minimized by shop cleanliness
    Describe safe practices for lifting and transporting heavy objects
    Handle tools and chemicals safely

  2. Model the mindset that everyone is important because everyone is a customer
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Self-reflection
    Criteria
    Identify cultural, social, economic, racial differences
    Discuss challenges to acceptance and belonging
    Explore the affect that diversity such as age or social economic perspectives can have on perception
    Practice inclusive mindset and mannerisms

  3. Illustrate the basic refrigeration cycle
    Assessment Strategies
    Written objective test
    Lab performance
    Drawing/Illustration
    Criteria
    Diagram the basic refrigeration system.
    Show refrigeration components in their proper place in the system in a drawing.
    Label the refrigerant lines (discharge, liquid, and suction) and direction of flow.
    Propose reasonable discharge and suction pressures for an application and a specific refrigerant.
    Show superheat and subcooling representations in their proper place.
    Compare components on drawings with the actual components in various refrigeration systems.

  4. Present the function of the main components of a refrigeration system
    Assessment Strategies
    Written objective test
    Lab performance
    Drawing/Illustration
    Criteria
    List the main components of basic refrigeration system.
    Break down the parts or make up of each component in a basic refrigeration system
    Explain the function of the basic refrigeration system components.
    Identify the inter-connecting piping between the basic refrigeration system components.
    Explain system operation as it relates to pressures, temperatures, electrical sequence and mechanical motion.

  5. Use HVACR related tools and instruments
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Criteria
    Cut and ream copper tubes for projects.
    Use swedging and flaring tools for connecting two tubes.
    Use bending tools.
    Complete soldering, brazing, flaring, and bending projects.
    Leak test fittings with R-22 trace gas and nitrogen
    Identify leaks with various electronic leak detectors and pinpoint leaks with soap suds
    Demonstrate use of temperature, electrical, air flow, and pressure measuring devices
    Use high tech test instruments such as laser alignment and inferred technology

  6. Acquaint self with federal and local codes and standards
    Assessment Strategies
    Written test
    Criteria
    Observe federal, state, and local refrigerant rules.
    Observe federal, state, and local electrical rules.
    Observe federal, state, and local mechanical rules.
    Observe federal, state, and local safety rules.

  7. Practice safe refrigerant handling
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Written product
    Criteria
    Identify refrigerants by ARI color code and ASHRAE refrigerant number.
    Classify refrigerants into their ASHRAE designated safety group.
    Use refrigeration equipment without venting excess refrigerant.
    Receive EPA 608 training, take Certification test
    Receive R410A Safety training, take Certification test

  8. Determine applications of different types of refrigerants, retrofit options and limitations, as well as associated lubricants
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Criteria
    Select refrigerant cylinders according to their color codes.
    Replace a refrigerant with a suitable substitute.
    Identify refrigerants according to their pressure and temperature range.
    Characterize mineral, alkyl benzene, and polyester oils.
    Remove and replace the proper amount of the indicated oil in a system.
    Use a refractory meter to identify types of oil.
    Replace mineral oil with a suitable substitute according to the refrigerant type.
    Replace alkyl benzene oil with polyester measuring percentages according to manufacturer’s conditions.

  9. Install and remove refrigeration manifold gauge sets from fully operational air conditioning system
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Lab performance
    Criteria
    Identify high and low side hoses on the manifold set.
    Identify the service hose of the manifold set.
    Install gauges on systems with service valves and Schrader valves.
    Demonstrate purging the gauge hoses.
    Remove the gauges with minimal refrigerant loss.

  10. Practice a complete start-up, checkout, and test operation of air conditioning system
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Lab performance
    Criteria
    Evaluate manufacturer’s sequence of operation, ensure actual operation.
    Monitor pull down to the prescribed operating conditions.
    Compare compressor full load current with actual measurements.
    Measure and record low and high side pressures.
    Measure, calculate and record system superheat and subcooling.
    Accurately measure and record temperature drop across both the evaporate and condenser coils.

  11. Complete refrigerant recovery, system evacuation, system charging, and operational checks of basic air conditioning systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Lab performance
    Criteria
    Select proper recovery machine and recovery tank according to the refrigerant type.
    Connect equipment, gauges, recovery machine, and recovery tank for liquid recovery and/or for vapor recovery.
    Recover the refrigerant to the required degree according to the EPA and Wisconsin codes.
    Terminate the recovery process with minimum losses and store or dispense with refrigerant as needed.

  12. Troubleshoot a complete refrigeration system and perform problem analysis
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal demonstration
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Criteria
    Diagnose a basic refrigeration system using a logical step procedure.
    Analyze electrical conditions and compare to normal or expected results.
    Analyze refrigerant pressures and temperatures and compare to normal or expected results.
    Analyze mechanical operation and compare to normal or expected results
    Properly use diagnostic tools to collect data to include inferred, laser, and vibration analysis technology
    Use virtual interactive simulation programs to reinforce various troubleshooting skills

  13. Service window air conditioning units, split systems and heat pumps
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Criteria
    Analyze unit construction
    Determine motor type, amperage and voltage.
    Recover refrigerant from the unit and weigh in the correct charge.
    Monitor pressures, temperatures and amps to determine if the unit is operating as designed.

  14. Replace hermetic compressors and other components of an air conditioning system
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Criteria
    Recover refrigerant from system.
    Remove the compressor from the system.
    Replace the filter drier.
    Leak test the system.
    Evacuate the system to 500 microns.
    Charge the unit to nameplate data.
    Evaluate system performance as compared to manufacturer's specifications.

  15. Demonstrate the use of work orders, refrigerant inventory reports and other commonly used documentation in the HVAC/R industry
    Assessment Strategies
    Lab performance
    Project analysis
    Criteria
    Completely and accurately fill out work orders for various pieces of equipment
    Completely and accurately fill out refrigerant inventory documentation
    Completely and accurately fill out repair invoices with flat rate fees or hourly fees using parts pricing lists
    Completely and accurately fill out job estimates to include man hour estimates