Final answer:
1) Read the equipment name plate. To determine the refrigerant type in air-conditioning equipment, a technician should read the equipment name plate, as it typically includes this information. Other methods like reading the expansion valve plate, connecting manifold gauges, or pumping down the system and taking samples are less reliable or unnecessary for this purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the type of refrigerant on air-conditioning equipment, the technician should primarily read the equipment name plate. This plate typically lists vital information about the system, including the refrigerant type, required for its proper functioning. While the expansion valve plate can sometimes have this information, it is not as common or reliable as the equipment nameplate for this purpose.
Connecting manifold gauges and comparing the pressure can provide clues about the refrigerant, but this method requires knowledge of the properties of various refrigerants and can be inconclusive if the system is not functioning properly or is partly charged. Pumping down the system to take samples is an unnecessary step for identifying the refrigerant type, and it may violate environmental regulations if the refrigerant is released into the atmosphere.
The four basic components of a simple heat pump are the condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and compressor. Understanding how these components work together in a cycle is essential for HVAC professionals when assessing and servicing air-conditioning equipment.