Major Component Replacement

Steps

1. 1Find the Table 1 evacuation level for this appliance from its refrigerant pressure class and full charge (small appliances use the separate percent-recovery rule in 82.156(b))
2. 2Critical stepDecide whether to recover the whole appliance or only the part, and isolate the part with its service valves if its refrigerant can be isolated to a system receiver
3. 3Critical stepRecover the refrigerant, liquid included, with certified recovery equipment down to the Table 1 level; do not vent
4. 4Verify the required level has been reached before opening the appliance
5. 5If leaks keep you from reaching the level, isolate leaking from non-leaking parts and take the leaking part as low as you can without contaminating the refrigerant, not above 0 psig
6. 6Remove the failed component
7. 7Install the new component, following the manufacturer's instructions for gaskets, torque and brazing
8. 8Critical stepIf brazing, flow dry nitrogen through the joint while heating
9. 9Critical stepPressure test the new joints with nitrogen and check them for leaks before evacuating
10. 10Evacuate the system to the vacuum level the manufacturer specifies to remove air and moisture before charging
11. 11Charge the system as the manufacturer specifies and check that it runs correctly
12. 12Record the part replaced, the refrigerant recovered and the refrigerant added; on appliances of 50 lb or more, record the date, parts, work done, person, and refrigerant added

What graders are watching for

Common mistakes

Related equipment service skills

• System Evacuation (Vacuum Pump)
• Dehydration of Wet Systems
• Charging by Weight (Cylinder Method)