Why does PSI gauge go up to 30?

Mark Hunt

the relief valve on the boiler is set at 15 psi so the gauge is twice what the "max working pressure" of the boiler is.

Stupid, yes, but it's the rule.

Mark H

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John_153

30 PSI gauge replacement help for Burnham low pressure boiler

I have a Burnham low-pressure boiler, model KV73. The PSI gauge needs replacing as the needle never reaches zero, even when the plumber took it off to clean it, the needle never went below 1, although it was disconnected from the boiler.

I just got off the phone with Burnham and while they said the replacement for a new gauge is part number 8056010, they did say the gauge does read 0 to 30 PSI (while the needle should only go up to 1 PSI it the unit is working properly), so they confirmed its not a 3rd party gauge on the boiler.

Question is, why does the gauge go up to 30 PSI? I’m guessing, worse case scenario if the boiler went past even 10 PSI it would blow up if the emergency value didn’t work. Can anyone recommend a gauge that only goes up to, say, 5 PSI, then I could really see the needle move in smaller increments. Or is there a reason to have it read up to 30 PSI? Does anyone even make a digital PSI gauge for boilers?

I’m a newbie steam user so please forgive my introductory questions, but heck, it is a low-pressure boiler and I don't understand why the gauge goes up to 30 PSI!
Thanks again.

-John

Dan_29

30 psi gauge

I just added a 0-5psi gauge in addition to the useless 30 psi gauge by modifying the tee, nipples and elbows attached to the pigtail. It actually gives useful readings!

Dan

Dan_29

30 psi gauge

I just added a 0-5 psi gauge in addition to 30 psi gauge that came with my boiler. The 30 psi is useless but required by code? The 5psi gauge give useful readings to confirm that my pressuretrol is working properly.

Dan

PS: See attached picture. The useful gauge is the upper one.

Dan_29

30 psi gauge

I just added a 5psi gauge in addition to my useless 30psi gauge. I have heard the 30 psi gauge is required by code although mine never registers any reading. The 5 psi gauge gives useful readings to confirm pressuretrol cut-in and cut-out settings.

Dan

PS: See attache photo. The upper gauge is the 5psi.

John_153

follow up

Thanks. I installed a new 30 psi that was suggested by Burnham. It goes up to around 3 very seldom, which is lower that the other gauge did, but normally it stays at the 0 end of the gauge, so I'm hoping its OK now. Thanks again for all your input.
-John