What is a condition for recovery devices used for small appliances manufactured before November 15, 1993?

The correct answer is that recovery devices used for small appliances manufactured before November 15, 1993, must recover 80% of refrigerant or achieve a defined vacuum. This condition reflects the regulatory standards established by the EPA, aiming to ensure that recovery devices can adequately prevent refrigerant release into the atmosphere, which aligns with environmental protection goals to reduce ozone depletion and global warming.

For appliances manufactured before the cutoff date, the specifications allow for a slightly less stringent recovery standard compared to newer devices, which must fully recover refrigerant. The requirement to recover 80% serves to underscore the importance of minimizing refrigerant loss while recognizing the technology available at that time.

Other options present conditions that are not specifically mandated for recovery devices designed for older small appliances. For instance, requirements related to the energy source of the device or portability would not necessarily apply to the guidelines governing the effectiveness of recovery as outlined for the equipment in question. This context helps clarify the historical standards and rationale behind the EPA's requirements for refrigerant recovery.