Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SERVICE CERTIFICATION
Certification Information
Scope - Tests a candidate's knowledge of the installation, service, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems. System sizes are limited to
30 tons or less cooling capacity.
Qualifications
Y
This is a test and certification for TECHNICIANS in the HVAC industry. The test is designed for top level service
technicians. This test for certification is not intended for the HVAC system designer, sales force, or the engineering
community. To become NATE-certified, you must pass this specialty and a CORE SERVICE exam.
This test will measure what 80% of the Heat Pumps candidates have an 80% likelihood of encountering at least once during
the year on a NATIONAL basis.
Suggested requirement is two years of field experience working on Heat Pumps systems as a service technician and
technical training for theoretical knowledge.
Test Specifications
Closed Book
2.5 Hour Time Limit
100 Questions Passing Score: PASS/FAIL
Listed are the percentages of questions that will be in each section of the Heat Pumps exam.
SECTION AREA DESCRIPTION
SECTION PERCENTAGE
Installation
15%
Service
45%
System Components
30%
Applied Knowledge
10%
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manuals - Latest Edition
Fibrous Glass Duct Construction Standards, Residential Comfort System Installation Standards Manual, and HVAC Air
Duct Leakage Test Manual
Air Diffusion Council Flexible Duct Performance & Installation Standards
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) Manuals
Fibrous Glass Duct Construction Standards and A Guide to Insulated Air Duct Systems
International Fuel Gas Code Latest Edition with Addendum
National Fuel Gas Code Latest Edition with Addendum
Exam Copyrights
All testing documents and questions are the copyrighted property of North American Technician Excellence Inc.-NATE. It is forbidden under federal
copyright law to copy, reproduce, record, distribute or display these documents or questions by any means, in whole or part, without written permission
from NATE. Doing so may subject you to severe civil and/or criminal penalties, including imprisonment and/or fines for criminal violations.
Page: 1
Auxiliary heat
Handling - lifting, hanging
EVACUATION & CHARGING
SAFE HANDLING OF REFRIGERANT CONTAINERS
Disposal
Securing refrigerants for transport
Signage and documentation for refrigerants
Proper storage
Proper container filling
EVACUATION
Overview - use of a vacuum pump
Overview - use of a micron gauge
Use of a manifold gauge set in evacuation
Deep single evacuation process
Removing core of access valves
LEAK CHECKING & DETECTION
Overview of leak checking and detection
Leak checking with electronic leak detectors
Leak checking with soap solutions
Gas pressurization for leak checking
Leak checking with ultrasonic leak detectors
Leak checking with ultraviolet leak detectors
CHARGING METHOD
Weigh in method
Superheat method and where used
Subcooling method and where used
Charging blended refrigerants
Liquid charging
DUCT INSTALLATION
DUCT FABRICATION EQUIPMENT
Ductboard tools - 90 V-groove, end cutoff, female shiplap, hole cutter, stapler, etc.
Flex tools - tensioning strap tools, knives, etc.
Metal tools - metal snips, sheers, benders, breaks, hand formers, calipers, rulers, stapler, etc.
INSTALLING METAL DUCT
Assembly methods for rectangular duct
Assembly methods for round duct
Hanging ductwork
Sealing metal duct
Insulation - internal and external
INSTALLING FLEXIBLE DUCT
Assembly methods - appropriate length
Hanging flexible duct
Sealing flexible duct
INSTALLING DUCTBOARD
Assembly methods for ductboard - supports
Hanging methods for ductboard
Sealing ductboard
INSTALLING GRILLES, REGISTERS, DIFFUSERS, & DAMPER
Mounting to ductwork
Securing methods
Sealing methods
CHASES USED AS DUCTS
Floor joists as air ducts
Vertical chases
RECONNECTING DUCT WHEN REPLACING EQUIPMENT
Reconnecting metal duct
Reconnecting flexible duct
Reconnecting ductboard duct
INSTALLATION OF PLENUMS AND DUCT
Sizing plenums for physical fit
(C) 2006 NATE All Rights Reserved
Page: 2
Page: 3
Page: 4
Page: 5
Compressor
Thermostat
Crankcase heaters
Low ambient controls for cooling
Transformers
Overcurrent protection
Relays and contactors
Pressure controls
Condenser fans
Indoor blowers
Capacitors
Start relays
Solenoid valves coils
Defrost termination control
Defrost controls
Outdoor thermostats
Reversing valve coils
REPAIR
Refrigerant circuit on coils
Ductwork
Electrical wiring
REPLACEMENTS
Outdoor units
Compressors
Outdoor fans
Indoor coils
TEV's
Transformers
Liquid line bi-flow filter-driers
Relays and contactors
Fixed orifice metering devices
Indoor blowers
Capacitors
Defrost controls
Suction line filter-driers
Reversing valves
SYSTEM CLEANUP AFTER COMPRESSOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE
Compressor
TEV's
Acid test
Reversing valves
Check valves
COMPONENT CHECKS - REFRIGERATION
Compressor
TEV's
Filter-drier
Suction line - oil traps, risers, etc.
Liquid line - vertical height, static pressure loss, etc.
Solenoid valves
Condensate drains
Check valves
Indoor and outdoor coils
Fixed orifice metering devices / piston
Reversing valves
OVERVIEW OF ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING
LOW VOLTAGE CIRCUITS
Voltage tests
Control string analysis
Understanding the logic of low voltage troubleshooting
Troubleshooting equipment with electronic devices.
(C) 2006 NATE All Rights Reserved
Page: 6
Page: 7
Oil canning
Motor / belt noise
Vibration
HIGH UTILITY BILLS
Interpreting supply / return air temperature
Interpreting supply / return air volume
Evaluating duct leakage
Evaluating duct insulation
Envelope infiltration
Thermostat air sensing
WIDE TEMPERATURE SWINGS
Interpreting supply / return air temperature
Interpreting supply / return air volume
Evaluating duct leakage
Evaluating duct insulation
Envelope infiltration
Thermostat air sensing
SINGLE AREA IS HOT OR COLD
Interpreting supply / return air temperature
Interpreting supply / return air volume
Evaluating duct leakage
Evaluating duct insulation
Envelope infiltration
Thermostat air sensing
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Number of air changes per hour
Odor control
Contaminants
ANALYZING REPORTED SYMPTOMS IN COOLING
POOR COOLING
Interpreting supply / return air temperature
Interpreting supply / return air volume
Interpreting supply / return air velocity
Determining and interpreting the sensible heat ratio
Evaluating duct leakage
Using temperature drop across evaporator coil
HUMIDITY PROBLEMS
Interpreting wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures
Interpreting supply / return air volume
Determining and interpreting the sensible heat ratio
Evaluating duct leakage
DRAFTY
Interpreting supply / return air temperature
Interpreting supply / return air volume
Interpreting supply / return air velocity
ANALYZING REPORTED SYMPTOMS IN HEATING
POOR HEATING
Interpreting supply / return air temperature
Interpreting supply / return air volume
Interpreting supply / return air velocity
Evaluating duct leakage
Using temperature drop across evaporator coil
HUMIDITY PROBLEMS
Interpreting wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures
Interpreting supply / return air volume
Determining the need for additional humidity
Evaluating duct leakage
DRAFTY
Interpreting supply / return air temperature
Interpreting supply / return air volume
(C) 2006 NATE All Rights Reserved
Page: 8
Page: 9
Duct configurations - extended plenum, reducing extended plenum, perimeter radial, perimeter loop,
overhead radial
Return configurations - ducted, central, etc.
Return grille locations - low sidewall, high sidewall, etc.
Supply locations - floor, sidewall, ceiling, etc.
WIRING LAYOUTS
POWER WIRING
Overview of power wiring
Single phase wiring
Three-phase wiring
LOW VOLTAGE
Overview of low voltage wiring
CONTROL SEQUENCE
Overview of control sequence used in split systems
Overview of control sequence used in packaged systems
COMPONENTS
OUTDOOR COILS
Basics of selection
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
Fundamentals of compressor operations
Compressor types
Design / operation of compressors
Compressor components
REFRIGERANTS
Refrigerants used in Res./Lt. Com heat pumps
Properties of refrigerants used in Res/Lt. Com heat pumps
Using temperature-pressure chart
Refrigerant conservation
Characteristics of blends, temperature glide, and fractionalization
SERVICE/CHECK VALVES
Front seating service valves
Back seating service valves
Gauge port
Check valves
REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT ACCESSORIES
Operation fundamentals - receivers
Operation fundamentals - accumulators
Operation fundamentals - filter-driers, bi-directional
Operation fundamentals - sight glasses, moisture indicators, liquid indicators, etc.
INDOOR COILS
Types - basic designs and operating characteristics of A-coil, slab, and slant indoor coils
Basics of selection
Condensate drains
METERING DEVICES - FIXED
Basics of operation - captubes
Basics of operation - fixed restrictors
Role of distributor in metering device performance
Selection of pistons with fixed metering devices
BLOWERS AND FANS
Introduction to indoor blowers
Introduction to outdoor fans
Indoor blowers - types and selection
Outdoor fans - types and selection
Blower and fan performance
LINE SETS
Introduction to line sets
Selecting line sets
Application considerations when using line sets
AIR SIDE COMPONENTS
Dampers
(C) 2006 NATE All Rights Reserved
Page: 10
Ventilation fittings
Electronic air cleaners (EAC's)
Electrostatic filters - non-electric
Media type filters
Fixed outdoor air damper
Insulating material
Flexible duct materials
Ductboard
Metal duct components
GRILLES, REGISTERS, & DIFFUSERS
Types and uses
Selecting diffusers, grilles, and registers
FASTENERS
Screws
Bolts
Nuts and washers
Lockpins
Rivets
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
Overcurrent protection
Capacitors
Solenoids
Crankcase heaters
Auxiliary strip heat
Transformers
SCROLL COMPRESSORS
Fundamentals of scroll compressors
Scroll compressor components
Design / operation of scroll compressors advanced features
LUBRICANTS
Mineral oil-based refrigerants and properties
Alkylbenzenes (AB)
Polyolesters (POE)
Lubricant / system compatibility
Evaluating lubricants after removal from system
Disposal of lubricants
METERING DEVICES - VARIABLE
TEV's - types and operation, w/ check valves, bi-directional, w/ external bridge
Role of distributors in variable metering devices
Externally equalized
Thermostatic charges
Off cycle pressure equalization
Selection of TEV's - SH setting, charge
START ASSIST COMPONENTS
Introduction to start components
Selecting start components
Considerations in using start components
Hard start kits - potential relay and start capacitor
Soft start PTCR assists
REVERSING VALVES
Introduction to reversing valves
Basics of operation
Components
CONSTANT AIRFLOW MOTORS
Intro to variable speed motors - ECM, BPM, and VSIM
Motor mounting and installation requirements
Electronic interface and setting for airflow requirements
ELECTROMECHANICAL SENSING CONTROLS
ELECTROMECHANICAL WALL THERMOSTATS
Basic thermostat types and operation
(C) 2006 NATE All Rights Reserved
Page: 11
Page: 12
Page: 13
Page: 14
Page: 15
o = old, n = new
CFM and RPM are
interchangeable.
CFMn
CFMo X RPM
RPMn
0
RPMo
X CFM
0
OR =JSpn
5P;
CFMo
CF )3 BHPn
( CFM
= BHP OR
0
CFM
_ BHPn
0
BHP
Hydronics: AP =Sp,
MAT
0 =Outside
T = Temperature
R =Return
M=Mixed
A=Air
BHPn
BHPo
CFMn
( CFM
)3
----------------------------L-------------------------------------------
AC/Hr x Volume
CFM=------
60min
Vp = <4:05 )2
v = 4005 x .Jvp
Length x Width
144
Area= 1t x radius2
2
A +B
=C
(ft2) =
1t x diameter
576
Circumference
Diameter =
1t
ASP x 100
FR=
TEL
(IWqIOO)
(2650 x I)
mfd=
E
CFM = Velocity (fpm) x Duct Area (ft2)
CFM -
Cr (Series)
(Watts x 3.413)
{ATx 1.08)
1
C1
C2
-+-+
...
+-
TEMPERATURE PRESSURE
CHART-atsealevel
TEMP.
Of
-40
-38
-36
-34
-32
-30
-28
-26
-24
-22
-20
-18
-16
-14
-12
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
oc
-40.0
-38.9
-37.8
-36.7
-35.6
-34.4
-33.3
-32.2
-31.1
-30.0
-28.9
-27.8
-26.7
-25.6
-24.4
-23.3
-22.2
-21.1
-20.0
-18.9
-17.8
-17.2
-16.7
-16.1
-15.6
-15.0
-14.4
-13.9
-13.3
-12.8
-12.2
-11.7
-11.1
-10.6
-10.0
-9.4
-8.9
-8.3
-7.8
-7.2
-6.7
-6.1
-5.6
-5.0
-4.4
-3.9
-3.3
-2.8
-2.2
-1.7
-1.1
-0.6
REFRIGERANT
22
0.6
1.4
2.2
3.1
4.0
4.9
5.9
6.9
8.0
9.1
10.2
11.4
12.6
13.9
15.2
16.5
17.9
19.4
20.9
22.4
24.0
24.9
25.7
26.5
27.4
28.3
29.2
30.1
31.0
31.9
32.8
33.8
34.8
35.8
36.8
37.8
38.8
39.9
40.9
42.0
43.1
44.2
45.3
46.5
47.6
48.8
50.0
51.2
52.4
53.7
55.0
56.2
134a
14.8
13.9
13.0
12.0
10.9
9.8
8.7
7.5
6.3
5.0
3.7
2.3
0.8
0.4
1.1
1.9
2.8
3.6
4.6
5.5
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.1
9.6
10.2
10.8
11.3
11.9
12.5
13.1
13.8
14.4
15.0
15.7
16.4
17.0
17.7
18.4
19.1
19.9
20.6
21.3
22.1
22.9
23.7
24.5
25.3
26.1
26.9
404A
407C
4.3
5.3
6.3
7.4
8.5
9.6
10.8
12.0
13.3
14.6
16.0
17.4
18.9
20.4
22.0
23.6
25.3
27.0
28.8
30.7
32.6
33.6
34.6
35.6
36.6
37.7
38.7
39.8
40.9
42.0
43.1
44.3
45.4
46.6
47.8
49.0
50.2
51.5
52.7
54.0
55.3
56.6
58.0
59.3
60.7
62.1
63.5
64.9
66.4
67.8
69.3
70.8
4.6
3.2
1.6
0.0
0.8
1.6
2.5
3.5
4.4
5.4
6.5
7.6
8.7
9.9
11.1
12.3
13.7
15.0
16.4
17.9
19.4
20.2
21.0
21.8
22.6
23.5
24.3
25.2
26.1
27.0
27.9
28.8
29.8
30.7
31.7
32.7
33.7
34.7
35.7
36.8
37.9
39.0
40.1
41.2
42.3
43.5
44.7
45.9
47.1
48.3
49.6
50.8
CONTINUED
410A
10.7
12.0
13.4
14.8
16.2
17.8
19.3
21.0
22.7
24.4
26.3
28.1
30.1
32.1
34.2
36.4
38.6
40.9
43.3
45.8
48.3
49.6
51.0
52.3
53.7
55.0
56.5
57.9
59.3
60.8
62.3
63.8
65.4
66.9
68.5
70.1
71.7
73.4
75.1
76.8
78.5
80.3
82.0
83.8
85.7
87.5
89.4
91.3
93.2
95.2
97.2
99.2
4220
2.3
0.8
0.4
1.2
2.1
3.0
3.9
4.9
5.9
7.0
8.1
9.2
10.4
11.7
12.9
14.3
15.6
17.1
18.5
20.1
21.6
22.5
23.3
24.1
25.0
25.8
26.7
27.6
28.5
29.5
30.4
31.3
32.3
33.3
34.3
35.3
36.4
37.4
38.5
39.6
40.7
41.8
42.9
44.1
45.2
46.4
47.6
48.8
50.1
51.3
52.6
53.9
507
5.4
6.4
7.5
8.6
9.8
11.0
12.2
13.5
14.8
16.2
17.6
19.1
20.6
22.2
23.8
25.5
27.3
29.1
30.9
32.8
34.8
35.8
36.9
37.9
39.0
40.0
41.1
42.2
43.4
44.5
45.7
46.8
48.0
49.3
50.5
51.7
53.0
54.3
55.6
56.9
58.2
59.6
61.0
62.4
63.8
65.2
66.7
68.2
69.7
71.2
72.7
74.3
TEMPERATURE PRESSURE
CHART-atsealevel
TEMP.
oc
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
42
44
46
48
0.0
0.6
1.1
1.7
2.2
2.8
3.3
3.9
4.4
5.6
6.7
7.8
8.9
10.0
11.1
12.2
13.3
14.4
15.6
16.7
17.8
18.9
20.0
21.1
22.2
23.3
24.4
25.6
26.7
27.8
28.9
30.0
31.1
32.2
33.3
34.4
35.6
36.7
37.8
38.9
40.0
41.1
42.2
43.3
44.4
45.6
46.7
47.8
48.9
51.7
54.4
50
52
54
56
58
60
62
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
82
84
86
88
90
92
94
96
98
100
102
104
106
108
110
112
114
116
118
120
125
130
REFRIGERANT
22
57.5
58.8
60.2
61.5
62.9
64.3
65.7
67.1
68.6
71.5
74.5
77.6
80.8
84.1
87.4
90.8
94.4
98.0
101.6
105.4
109.3
113.2
117.3
121.4
125.7
130.0
134.5
139.0
143.6
148.4
153.2
158.2
163.2
168.4
173.7
179.1
184.6
190.2
195.9
201.8
207.7
213.8
220.0
226.4
232.8
239.4
246.1
253.0
260.0
278.0
296.9
134a
27.8
28.6
29.5
30.4
31.3
32.2
33.1
34.1
35.0
37.0
39.0
41.1
43.2
45.4
47.7
50.0
52.4
54.9
57.4
60.0
62.7
65.4
68.2
71.1
74.1
77.1
80.2
83.4
86.7
90.0
93.5
97.0
100.6
104.3
108.1
112.0
115.9
120.0
124.2
128.4
132.7
137.2
141.7
146.4
151.1
156.0
160.9
166.0
171.2
184.6
198.7
404A
72.4
73.9
75.5
77.1
78.7
80.3
82.0
83.7
85.4
88.8
92.4
96.0
99.8
103.6
109.2
113.3
117.4
121.7
126.0
130.5
135.0
139.7
144.4
149.3
154.3
159.4
164.6
169.9
175.4
181.0
186.7
192.5
198.4
204.5
210.7
217.0
223.4
230.0
236.8
243.6
250.8
257.8
265.1
272.5
280.1
287.9
295.8
303.8
312.1
333.3
355.6
407C
52.1
53.4
54.8
56.1
57.5
58.9
60.3
61.7
63.2
66.1
69.2
72.3
75.5
78.8
101.7
105.6
109.6
113.7
117.9
122.3
126.7
131.2
135.8
140.5
145.4
150.3
155.4
160.5
185.8
171.2
176.8
182.4
188.2
194.1
200.1
206.3
212.5
219.0
225.5
232.2
239.0
245.9
253.0
260.3
287.6
275.1
282.8
290.6
298.6
319.2
340.7
410A
101.2
103.3
105.4
107.5
109.7
111.9
114.1
116.3
118.6
123.2
127.9
132.8
137.8
142.9
148.1
153.5
159.0
164.7
170.4
176.3
182.4
188.6
194.9
201.4
208.0
214.8
221.8
228.9
236.1
243.6
251.2
258.9
266.8
274.9
283.2
291.6
300.3
309.1
318.1
327.2
336.6
346.2
355.9
365.9
376.1
386.4
397.0
407.8
418.8
447.4
477.4
4220
55.2
56.5
57.9
59.3
60.6
62.0
63.5
64.9
66.4
69.4
72.5
75.6
78.9
82.2
96.1
99.8
103.6
107.4
111.4
115.4
119.5
123.8
128.1
132.5
137.1
141.7
146.5
151.3
156.3
161.3
166.5
171.8
177.2
182.7
188.4
194.1
200.0
206.0
212.1
218.4
224.8
231.3
237.9
244.7
251.6
258.8
265.8
273.2
280.6
299.9
320.2
507
75.8
77.4
79.0
80.7
82.3
84.0
85.7
87.5
89.2
92.8
96.4
100.2
104.0
108.0
112.0
116.1
120.4
124.7
129.1
133.7
138.3
143.1
147.9
152.9
158.0
163.2
168.5
174.0
179.5
185.2
191.0
197.0
203.0
209.2
215.5
222.0
228.6
235.3
242.2
249.2
256.3
263.7
271.1
278.7
286.5
294.4
302.4
310.7
319.1
340.8
363.6