Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic On-the-Job Training Guide Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics install, maintain and repair primary and secondary refrigeration and cooling systems, in commercial and industrial settings. Training Requirements: 7200 hours (4 years) including four 8-week training sessions at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon Journeyperson to apprentice ratio for this trade is: 1:2 The information contained in this pamphlet serves as a guide for employers and apprentices. Apprenticeship training is mutually beneficial to both employer and apprentice. The employer s investment in training apprentices results in skilled and certified workers. The pamphlet summarizes the tasks to be covered by the apprentice during the on-the-job portion of apprenticeship training. An apprentice spends approximately 85% of the apprenticeship term training on-the-job. It is the employer s or journeyperson s training responsibility to supervise an apprentice s practical skills development until a satisfactory level of proficiency has been reached. EMPLOYER TRAINING RESPONSIBILITY promote a safety-conscious workplace provide mentored, hands-on practice in the use of tools and equipment demonstrate procedures relevant to the installation of primary and secondary refrigeration and cooling systems provide the opportunity for apprentices to service and maintain the above systems and products further the apprentice s ability to interpret technical drawings ensure that the apprentice can evaluate the end product. Employers should make every effort to expose their apprentices to work experience in as many areas of the trade as possible. Below, in-school instruction is listed first; suggestions to help employers assist the apprentice to prepare for in-school training are listed next. The content of the training components is subject to change without notice. 06/15
Level One - 8 weeks Controls electrical controls basic cycling controls basic electrical circuits discussing electrical controls in a refrigeration system identifying the basic cycling controls in a refrigeration system explaining basic wiring diagrams and assisting the apprentice to analyze series and parallel circuits Refrigeration System Components and Accessories compressors metering devices evaporators condensers exposing the apprentice to various types of compressors and describing their characteristics and applications demonstrating the operation of metering devices, flow controls and accessories exposing the apprentice to various types of evaporators and their applications exposing the apprentice to various types of condensers and their applications Fundamentals of Refrigeration temperature and temperature measurement pressure and pressure measurement heat and heat transfer allowing the apprentice to measure temperatures throughout a system allowing the apprentice to measure pressures throughout a system demonstrating methods of heat transfer Basic Refrigeration Cycle basic cycle diagram refrigerant condition in the system components basic system components describing the basic refrigerant cycle explaining the physical changes of the refrigerant as it circulates through the system identifying the basic refrigeration system and its components discussing pressure/temperature relationships throughout the basic cycle and allowing the apprentice perform conversions Refrigerants types of refrigerants refrigerant safety practices CFC training identifying refrigerant containers and colour classifications describing the characteristics and applications of different types of refrigerants discussing environmental effects/hazards of refrigerants and procedures to avoid these effects/hazards
explaining the hazards and safe work practices pertaining to the handling, storing and disposing of refrigerants allowing the apprentice to use the B52 code book discussing the handling of ozone depletion substances and greenhouse gases Basic System Applications design and install a small commercial refrigeration unit start-up and commission a small commercial refrigeration unit allowing the apprentice to assist in installation and set up of a refrigeration system having the apprentice help during commissioning and start-up of a refrigeration system demonstrating leak testing procedures, evacuation and adding refrigerant to a system supervising the apprentice during basic service procedures required on a refrigeration system Hand Skills and Service Techniques piping and pipe joining soldering and brazing utilization of service equipment, instruments and tools required for service procedures demonstrating the proper procedure for jointing of piping materials and the bending and flaring of copper tube, then allowing time for the apprentice to practice these techniques on scrap materials allowing the apprentice to solder copper to copper and copper pipe to brass fittings identifying proper usage of service equipment, instruments and tools such as hand tools, temperature probes and gauges allowing the apprentice to use service equipment, instruments and tools such as hand tools, temperature probes and gauges Hand Tools hand and power tools cutting tools measuring tools basic machine shop demonstrating safe work practices when operating hand and power tools demonstrating safe work practices when using cutting tools demonstrating the proper use of measuring tools Welding/Cutting torch brazing oxy-fuel cutting demonstrating the proper use and safety associated with the oxy-acetylene processes allowing the apprentice to use oxy-acetylene cutting equipment in practice situations and ultimately in real situations Electrical Industrial Communications Drafting Mathematics
Level Two - 8 weeks Electricity and Electrical Applications electrical circuits wiring diagrams electrical components troubleshooting techniques identifying common electrical symbols demonstrating the use of schematic drawings discussing the applications for different electrical test meters and demonstrating how they are used demonstrating troubleshooting skills and having them troubleshoot a system explaining common electrical components and their application Introduction to Commercial Applications system design and piping practices defrost methods dehydration and evacuation methods explaining fundamental principles of refrigeration system design allowing the apprentice to assist in piping commercial identifying various types of defrost methods and their application demonstrate the procedures used to evacuate and dehydrate a system Refrigeration Flow Controls and Accessories types of flow controls system accessories and basic cycling components calibration procedures discussing the operation and allowing the apprentice to adjust EPR s and CPR s identify basic cycling controls on a refrigeration system allowing the apprentice to replace and set a low pressure control HVAC Basics air properties HVAC system types HVAC controls air flow problems explaining air circulation and ventilation exposing the apprentice to various types of A/C systems giving the apprentice a schematic drawing and having them identify components of a basic HVAC electrical systems assisting the apprentice when troubleshooting an HVAC system Motor and Single Phase Electrics motor types motor starting devices motor protection devices motor testing exposing the apprentice to various types of single phase motors and identifying their components identifying and explaining information found on motor nameplates
describing various types of motor starting controls devices identifying types of capacitors describing various types of motor protection controls devices demonstrate the procedures used to test motors and their components Systems and Service Analysis identification/management of system problems identification and selection of system components and accessories introductory electrical troubleshooting describing various system problems assisting the apprentice identify system problems explaining the applications of components and accessories in a refrigeration system supervising hands-on experience in electrical troubleshooting Comprehensive Systems Analysis refrigeration and HVAC system problems system components, flow controls and accessories service procedures exposing the apprentice to various types of HVAC and problems exposing the apprentice to various types of system components, accessories and flow controls demonstrating service procedures used when working on various HVAC and Commercial Applications installation of a water cooled system controlling the temperature in two fixtures at different temperatures design and installation of the electrical system and calibration of the system controls supervising the apprentice when installing a water cooled system and explaining the operation assisting the apprentice install an EPR to maintain two fixtures at different temperatures allowing the apprentice to assist when verifying operation of the electrical controls for a commercial refrigeration system supervising the apprentice setting system controls Medium Temperature Applications installation of an air cooled refrigeration system variations in electrical control systems troubleshooting skills supervising the apprentice when installing an air cooled refrigeration system exposing the apprentice to different types of electrical control systems demonstrating troubleshooting skills and having them troubleshoot a system Control Systems Lab design and assembly of typical electrical systems used on refrigeration and HVAC equipment troubleshooting techniques for motors and electrical components allowing the apprentice to help in the assembly of typical electrical systems used on HVAC and demonstrating the setting and calibration of typical electrical systems used on HVAC and refrigeration systems and having apprentice complete these tasks supervising the apprentice using electrical test meters to troubleshoot electrical system components
demonstrating troubleshooting techniques for motors and electrical components and having the apprentice complete these tasks Electrical Drafting Mathematics Level Three - 8 weeks Systems and Service Management system problem variations system components, accessories and flow controls service procedures supervising the apprentice service and maintain various types of HVAC and exposing the apprentice to various types of system components, accessories and flow controls allowing the apprentice to troubleshoot intermediate electrical systems demonstrating the use of schematic diagrams and piping diagrams to troubleshoot a system supervising the apprentice while using schematic diagrams and piping diagrams to troubleshoot a system Piping Design and Line Sizing piping arrangements for discharge, condensate, liquid and suction lines pipe sizing applying the mechanical code demonstrating piping practices for discharge, condensate, liquid and suction lines allowing the apprentice to size piping for refrigeration and air conditioning systems ensuring the apprentice reviews the B52 code book when sizing piping and controls Capacity and Head Pressure Control capacity controls for head pressure controls for exposing the apprentice to various types of capacity controls and their components exposing the apprentice to various types of head pressure controls and their components supervising the apprentice during maintenance or service of head pressure controls demonstrating the operation of various head pressure controls such as headmasters, floating and fan cycling allowing the apprentice to adjust or set the head pressure for a refrigeration system Commercial Refrigeration Systems and Service system oil problems cleanup after burnout troubleshooting refrigerant flow problems refrigerants and oils identifying oil problems in a refrigeration system, such as dirty oil and compressor loss of oil demonstrating the procedure to clean a refrigeration system after a compressor burnout allowing the apprentice to assist in changing oil in a refrigeration system identifying the refrigerant problems in a refrigeration system such as air or moisture in the system
allowing the apprentice to assist in refrigerant and/or oil conversions HVAC Design and Applications gas components HVAC design control systems and economizers pneumatic controls demonstrating the operation of various gas components identifying the various types of controls systems of HVAC systems such as pneumatic explaining the design and application of air handlers explaining the operation of economizers and their controls allowing the apprentice to troubleshoot and set an economizer on a HVAC system Refrigeration Equipment Operation design and operation of a cross section of refrigeration equipment including ice machines, reach-ins, walk-ins and display cases control systems for refrigeration equipment having the apprentice help in the service and maintenance of various such as ice machines, reach-ins, walk-is and display cases supervising the apprentice when troubleshooting electrical components for exposing the apprentice to electrical schematics and having them use these schematics to maintain/troubleshoot an electrical system having the apprentice read the manufacturers documentation HVAC Equipment Operation design and operation of a cross section of residential and commercial HVAC equipment control systems for HVAC equipment having the apprentice help in the service and maintenance of various residential and commercial HVAC systems supervising the apprentice when troubleshooting electrical components for HVAC systems exposing the apprentice to electrical schematics and having them use these schematics to maintain/troubleshoot an electrical system having the apprentice read the manufacturers documentation Control Systems Wiring electrical schematics wiring controls test sequence of operation exposing the apprentice to electrical schematics for HVAC and supervising the apprentice during the assembly of typical electrical systems used on HVAC and supervising the apprentice using electrical test meters to verify system operation Troubleshooting Systems Analysis system problems system components service procedures system accessories and control systems
exposing the apprentice to various HVAC and problems demonstrating the selection of system components and accessories for various HVAC and demonstrating the procedures used for servicing various HVAC and demonstrating the procedures used for analyzing various HVAC and Business Education Electrical Drafting Mathematics Level Four - 8 weeks Enthalpy and Psychrometrics pressure enthalpy diagrams psychrometric charts refrigeration and air conditioning system design and operation demonstrating the use of pressure enthalpy diagrams and explaining their use demonstrating the use of psychrometric charts and explaining their use having the apprentice measure humidity levels in a building and see the effects of humidity on Load Calculation and Equipment Selection heat load heat transfer calculations select equipment for these applications demonstrating heat load calculations allowing the apprentice to use heat load calculations to select the appropriate equipment for the application Advanced Commercial and Industrial Analysis commercial and industrial design supermarket systems, industrial systems, two stage, ultra low and cascade systems allowing the apprentice to help in the service or maintenance of multiplex systems allowing the apprentice to help in the service or maintenance of large industrial refrigeration such as warehouses or artificial ice plants exposing the apprentice to two stage, ultra low and cascade systems supervising the apprentice to troubleshoot the electrical systems demonstrating the operation of computer controllers for large HVAC Variations and Secondary Systems types of HVAC systems and systems using secondary refrigerants air quality and filters advanced control systems PLC controllers
allowing the apprentice to help with service and maintenance of various types of HVAC systems allowing the apprentice to help with service and maintenance of chiller systems supervising the apprentice select filters to maintain desired air quality and explaining purpose of selection for certain applications supervising the apprentice to troubleshoot electrical control systems demonstrating the operation of PLC controllers and advanced control systems Refrigeration Service Applications service and troubleshoot calibrate refrigerant control systems having the apprentice identify and solve problems with larger refrigeration and air conditioning systems and more complicated controls systems allowing the apprentice to service and maintain larger refrigeration and air conditioning systems exposing the apprentice to more advanced system components and accessories supervising the apprentice when troubleshooting electrical systems and large refrigeration and air conditioning systems HVAC Service Applications service and troubleshoot HVAC systems special application systems and air handlers having the apprentice identify and solve problems with larger air conditioning systems and more complicated controls systems allowing the apprentice to service and maintain larger air conditioning systems exposing the apprentice to more advanced system components and accessories supervising the apprentice when troubleshooting electrical systems and large air conditioning systems Control Systems Applications design installation calibration and testing allowing the apprentice to determine controls required for a typical electrical systems for HVAC and allowing the apprentice to install controls for a typical electrical control systems for HVAC and allowing the apprentice to set and calibrate typical electrical control systems for HVAC and allowing the apprentice to use electrical test meters to troubleshoot electrical control system components for HVAC and Business Education Electrical Drafting Mathematics
Consider apprenticeship training as an investment in the future of your company and in the future of your workforce. Ultimately, skilled and certified workers increase your bottom line. Get involved in the apprenticeship training system. Your commitment to training helps to maintain the integrity of the trade. Do you have employees who have been working in the trade for a number of years but don t have trade certification? Contact your local apprenticeship office for details on how they might obtain the certification they need. Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trade Certification Commission 2140 Hamilton St Regina SK S4P 2E3 Tel: (306) 787-2444 Fax: (306) 787-5105 Toll Free: 1-877-363-0536 web site: www.saskapprenticeship.ca District Offices Estevan (306) 637-4930 La Ronge (306) 425-4385 Moose Jaw (306) 694-3735 North Battleford (306) 446-7409 Prince Albert (306) 953-2632 Saskatoon (306) 933-8476 Swift Current (306) 778-8945 Yorkton (306) 786-1394