Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Mechanic Trade Career Profile

ROLE OVERVIEW:
RAC Mechanics install, service, and repair domestic refrigerators, commercial cold storages, HVAC ducts, and vehicle air conditioners.

SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Vapour compression refrigeration cycle diagnostics
- Copper tube bending, flaring, swaging, and brazing
- Compressor maintenance and electrical wiring checks
- Refrigerant gas recovery, leak testing, and charging
- Airflow balancing and thermal insulation checks

TOOLS USED:
- Manifold gauge sets, vacuum pumps, and leak detectors
- Brazing torches, tube cutters, flaring tools, and swaging tools
- Anemometers, psychrometers, and temperature data loggers

GROWTH PROSPECTS:
Increasing deployment in commercial HVAC installations and cold chain logistics.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. Q: What is the function of an expansion valve in a refrigeration system?
A: The expansion valve controls the flow of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator, reducing its pressure and temperature.
2. Q: How do you detect refrigerant leaks in an AC unit?
A: Leaks can be detected using soap bubble tests, electronic halogen leak detectors, or UV dye methods.