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Demonstrate knowledge of automotive air conditioning
Level
3
Credits
4
Purpose
This theory-based unit standard is for people in the automotive repair
industry. People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
knowledge of: the principles of refrigeration; refrigerants used for automotive
air conditioners; an automotive air conditioning system; and safe work
practices when working on an air conditioning system.
Subfield
Motor Industry
Domain
Automotive Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Status
Registered
Status date
25 January 2008
Date version published
25 January 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2012
Entry information
Recommended: Unit 19666, Demonstrate knowledge of
ozone and how it relates to the refrigeration and air
conditioning industry, or demonstrate equivalent
knowledge and skills.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated)
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0014
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
Legislation and publications relevant to this unit standard include but are not limited
to – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996; Health and Safety in
Employment Act 1992; Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996; Resource Management Act
1991; Motor Trade Association (MTA) Automotive Air Conditioning Code of Practice;
European Union Directive 2006/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 17 May 2006 relating to emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles
and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC (Text with EEA relevance).
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2
MTA Automotive Air Conditioning Code of Practice is available from the Motor Trade
Association, PO Box 9244, Wellington, phone 04 385 8859, website
http://www.mta.org.nz/.
Directive 2006/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006
relating to emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles and amending
Council Directive 70/156/EEC (Text with EEA relevance) is available online at
http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_161/l_16120060614en00120018.pdf.
3
Definition
Service information may include but is not limited to – technical information of a
vehicle, machine, or product detailing operation; installation and servicing
procedures; manufacturer instructions and specifications; technical terms and
descriptions; and detailed illustrations. This can be accessed in hard copy or
electronic format and is normally sourced from the manufacturer.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of refrigeration.
Performance criteria
1.1
Heat transfer from one body to another is explained in accordance with service
information.
Range
1.2
The part that latent heat plays in the changes of state of matter is defined in
accordance with service information.
Range
1.3
direction of heat flow, conduction, convention, radiation.
solid to liquid to vapour, and reverse.
The way in which the principles of refrigeration are made use of in an air
conditioning system is described in terms of compression, condensing,
expansion, and evaporation.
Element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of refrigerants used for automotive air conditioners.
Performance criteria
2.1
Refrigerants used in automotive air conditioning systems are identified and their
characteristics described, in accordance with refrigerant manufacturer
specifications.
Range
includes but is not limited to – chlorofluorocarbon (CFC),
hydrochloroflurocarbon (HCFC);
R-12, R-134a.
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2.2
Reasons for phasing out and seeking alternatives to R-134a are identified in
accordance with environmental emission standards.
2.3
Pressure and temperature range of each refrigerant is explained in accordance
with refrigerant manufacturer specifications.
2.4
Transportation and storage procedures for refrigerants are described in
accordance with refrigerant manufacturer service information and legislative
requirements.
2.5
Refrigerant conversion requirements are identified in accordance with
replacement refrigerant and component specifications.
Range
replacement components, oil, labelling, testing, commissioning.
Element 3
Demonstrate knowledge of an automotive air conditioning system.
Range
compressor, lubricant, condenser, filter-drier, expansion device, evaporator,
thermostat, fans.
Performance criteria
3.1
The major components of an automotive air conditioning system are identified in
terms of their most likely position in a motor vehicle.
3.2
The function and operation of each component in an automotive air conditioning
system is described in accordance with service information.
3.3
Servicing requirements are described in accordance with service information.
Range
system testing, replacement of components, flushing, replacement
of refrigerant oil, evacuation, charging system.
Element 4
Demonstrate knowledge of safe work practices when working on an air conditioning
system.
Performance criteria
4.1
Procedures for handling refrigerants are described in accordance with service
information and legislative requirements.
Range
includes but is not limited to – skin protection, respiratory
protection, open flame, cleanliness, ventilation, eye protection, use
of gloves, wearing protective clothing.
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4.2
First aid treatment for exposure to refrigerants is described in accordance with
occupational safety and health (OSH) requirements.
Range
4.3
skin and eye contact, inhalation.
Safe working practices when working on an air conditioning system are
described in accordance with service information.
Range
includes but is not limited to – cleanliness; ventilation; eye
protection, gloves, protective clothing; working with high pressure
systems; working on vehicles with high voltage systems; running
the engine; awareness of moving parts; heating components and
smoking; using air conditioning equipment; recovery and storage
of refrigerant; inspecting components; performance testing;
recovering refrigerant; evacuating system; testing and repairing
the electrical system.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated)
info@mito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016