Page 1 of 136
District of Columbia (DC) Journeyman A/C &
Refrigeration (312) Practice Exam Questions
with Answers & Rationales | Instant Pdf
Download
Q1. In the refrigeration cycle, which component is responsible for
compressing the refrigerant?
A) Condenser
B) Compressor
C) Evaporator
D) Expansion Valve
Answer: B
Rationale: The compressor acts as the heart of the refrigeration
system, taking in low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant
vapor and compressing it to significantly increase both its
pressure and temperature before sending it to the condenser.
,Page 2 of 136
Q2. Which process in the refrigeration cycle involves the
refrigerant absorbing heat and changing from a liquid to a
vapor?
A) Compression
B) Condensation
C) Expansion
D) Evaporation
Answer: D
Rationale: During evaporation, the refrigerant absorbs heat
from the conditioned space, boiling and changing from a liquid
to a low-pressure vapor, producing the cooling effect.
Q3. In a split system air conditioner, which component is typically
installed indoors?
A) Outdoor condenser
B) Indoor evaporator coil
,Page 3 of 136
C) Compressor
D) Condenser fan
Answer: B
Rationale: In a split system, the evaporator (air handler) is
located indoors to absorb heat from the inside air, while the
condenser and compressor are located outdoors to reject heat.
Q4. What does HVAC stand for in the context of air conditioning
and refrigeration?
A) Heating, Vacuum, and Cooling
B) High Voltage Air Conditioning
C) Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
D) Heat, Ventilation, and Control
Answer: C
Rationale: HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning, describing systems that manage indoor
environmental comfort.
, Page 4 of 136
Q5. Which component controls the flow of refrigerant into the
evaporator and creates a pressure drop?
A) Compressor
B) Expansion Valve
C) Condenser
D) Receiver
Answer: B
Rationale: The expansion valve reduces the refrigerant pressure
before it enters the evaporator, allowing it to expand and
absorb heat efficiently.
Q6. The basic principle of refrigeration relies on which law of
thermodynamics?
A) First law (conservation of energy)
B) Second law (entropy increase)
C) Third law (absolute zero unattainability)
D) Zeroth law (thermal equilibrium)
District of Columbia (DC) Journeyman A/C &
Refrigeration (312) Practice Exam Questions
with Answers & Rationales | Instant Pdf
Download
Q1. In the refrigeration cycle, which component is responsible for
compressing the refrigerant?
A) Condenser
B) Compressor
C) Evaporator
D) Expansion Valve
Answer: B
Rationale: The compressor acts as the heart of the refrigeration
system, taking in low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant
vapor and compressing it to significantly increase both its
pressure and temperature before sending it to the condenser.
,Page 2 of 136
Q2. Which process in the refrigeration cycle involves the
refrigerant absorbing heat and changing from a liquid to a
vapor?
A) Compression
B) Condensation
C) Expansion
D) Evaporation
Answer: D
Rationale: During evaporation, the refrigerant absorbs heat
from the conditioned space, boiling and changing from a liquid
to a low-pressure vapor, producing the cooling effect.
Q3. In a split system air conditioner, which component is typically
installed indoors?
A) Outdoor condenser
B) Indoor evaporator coil
,Page 3 of 136
C) Compressor
D) Condenser fan
Answer: B
Rationale: In a split system, the evaporator (air handler) is
located indoors to absorb heat from the inside air, while the
condenser and compressor are located outdoors to reject heat.
Q4. What does HVAC stand for in the context of air conditioning
and refrigeration?
A) Heating, Vacuum, and Cooling
B) High Voltage Air Conditioning
C) Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
D) Heat, Ventilation, and Control
Answer: C
Rationale: HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning, describing systems that manage indoor
environmental comfort.
, Page 4 of 136
Q5. Which component controls the flow of refrigerant into the
evaporator and creates a pressure drop?
A) Compressor
B) Expansion Valve
C) Condenser
D) Receiver
Answer: B
Rationale: The expansion valve reduces the refrigerant pressure
before it enters the evaporator, allowing it to expand and
absorb heat efficiently.
Q6. The basic principle of refrigeration relies on which law of
thermodynamics?
A) First law (conservation of energy)
B) Second law (entropy increase)
C) Third law (absolute zero unattainability)
D) Zeroth law (thermal equilibrium)
