With the help of Industry Partners Snap-on and Test Products International Inc. (TPI), NC3 has created a new certification program focused on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).

The new certification replaces the current Building Performance Instruments certification program, which will continue to be available to instructors and schools already certified.

The new certification is called HVAC Diagnostic Instruments and consists of four individual certifications:

1. TPI VIEW
2. HEATING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
3. AC SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
4. FACILITY MANAGEMENT DIAGNOSTICS

Ron Kirsch, Director of National Accounts with Test Products International Inc., says “This HVAC Diagnostics offering stems from a program with products designed and developed with top HVAC instructor’s input. New technology enables quick and simple testing. The data collected can now be saved, emailed or printed from the Bluetooth instruments. This makes it handy if an on site new or experienced tech has questions. He can send the data to his office or other tech for instant responses to resolve the issue. A new way of testing and resolving issues on the spot.”

Students can earn a certification for each of these four and TPI View is the only prerequisite. The TPI VIEW certification focuses on the Bluetooth mobile app and how it can be used with the other three certifications. Competencies that are covered are how to properly load the TPI View app on a smart device, how to properly set up the app on a smart device and explain the steps necessary to connect an instrument.

The other three certifications are “a la carte”. The certification kits can be purchased individually from Snap-on or as a complete kit. Schools can adopt all three or choose just one or two of these certifications. Jerry Almazan, HVAC Instructor at Gateway Technical College, helped with the curriculum development and says “The fact that three of the certification modules can now be adopted by schools individually, makes this program more cost effective and can be implemented in stages. For instance, schools located in the southern US can opt not to implement the Heating System module.”

If you are interested in this professional development training, please let us know as we are trying to gauge interest for this new certification. According to Earl Bailey, National Manager, Snap-on Education Program, “The HVAC Diagnostic Instruments certifications align with the current demands of industry. Technology such as smart device communication is integrated in this curriculum and reflected in the instruments included. Recipients of the certifications will gain hands-on experience with the latest trends in HVAC Diagnostics.”

Here is an overview of what each certification covers.

HEATING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS: This certification focuses on the heating side of the HVAC Diagnostics. Besides addressing basic safety considerations, it covers:

1. Infrared Thermometers to perform an emissivity measurement with an Infrared Thermometer, perform a surface contact temperature measurement with an Infrared Thermometer and perform a temperature differential test using the temperature rise formula.
2. Combustible Gas Leak Detector to perform a sensitivity adjustment on the leak detector and perform a combustible chemical leak detection.
3. Dual Pressure Manometer to perform a sampling and recording of the inlet gas and manifold gas pressure test and record the readings via the TPI View app, perform a static pressure test and a pressure switch test.
4. Smart Flue Gas Analyzer to identify the proper locations on a heating system for flue gas testing and performing a flue gas test on both a mid- and high-efficiency furnace. 

AC SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS: This certification focuses on the cooling (AC) side of the HVAC Diagnostics. Besides addressing basic safety considerations, it covers:

1. Digital Pocket Thermometer – operation and calibration.
2. Sub-mini K-Type Thermometer – how to link the instrument to the TPI View mobile app, how to perform temperature measurements, how to connect multiple temperature probes to the TPI View app and perform a temperature differential measurement.
3. Smart Pressure and Temperature Probes – how to perform a pressure and temperature test as well as take super-heat and sub-cooling measurements.
4. Smart Humidity/Temperature Probe – how to perform an ambient, temperature, humidity, and CO2 test and record the readings via the TPI View App.
5. Thermal Anemometer – how to traverse a rectangular duct and perform CFM readings.
6. Vacuum Gauge – how to perform a vacuum test and share the results with the TPI View App.
7. Refrigerant Leak Detector – how to perform a refrigerant leak test.

FACILITY MANAGEMENT DIAGNOSTICS: This certification focuses on the Facility Management of the HVAC Diagnostics Certification Program. Besides addressing basic safety considerations, it covers:

1. Refractometer – how to perform proper coolant protection and coolant test with the refractometer.
2. pH Testing Meter – learn the effects of PH in a cooling system and how to perform a pH test on various cooling systems.
3. Smart Humidity/Temperature Probe – how to link the Probe to the TPI View App, perform an ambient air temperature and humidity test and record the readings via the TPI View app.
4. Smart Carbon Dioxide Tester – how to perform a carbon dioxide measurement.
5. Smart Carbon Monoxide Tester – how to perform a carbon monoxide test.
6. Digital Contact/Non-Contact Tachometer – how to perform both contact and non-contact RPM measurement on various components.
7. Vibration Tester – how to diagnose the effects of unwanted vibration on rotating components and how to perform a vibration analysis on various components.

For more information, please contact Snap-on Program Manager, Frank van den Berge (frank.vandenberge@nc3.net) or contact your school’s Snap-on Account Manager.