Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

steam trap test??

Timco
Timco Member Posts: 3,040
in THE MAIN WALL
Is there a reliable test method for checking steam traps?

Thanks, Tim
Just a guy running some pipes.

Comments

  • Al Letellier_9
    Al Letellier_9 Member Posts: 929
    testing traps

    The absolutely best way to test a trap is to observe the discharge of the trap, hence the way to install them is with a union on the outlet. Crack it open and watch it work. Other than that have used temp guns and stethscopes, but the best way is to see the discharge

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    If the system can be operated

    I generally start with the "ah-ha-ha test for the presence of latent BTUs" on the dry return. That's where you feel the dry return and if it's steam-hot, which it should not be, you yell "ah-ha-ha!" and quickly pull your hand away.

    Then follow the heat until it leads you back to the bad trap or traps.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • Timco
    Timco Member Posts: 3,040


    Any suggestions for situations where the returns run into the floors then disappear until they emerge in the boiler room? Returns are SUPER hot in all directions in the boiler room. Changing them all would be pretty pricey...

    Thanks, Tim
    Just a guy running some pipes.
  • tim smith
    tim smith Member Posts: 2,807
    Flir infrared camera!!!

    If they were only a little cheaper. :)
  • Joe Billow_6
    Joe Billow_6 Member Posts: 69


    What I have always done is to put a shut off down stream of the trap. The plumb a tee and shut off in between the new shutoff and trap. This allows you to isolate your trap from the condensate return and by opening the one shutoff you can see what is coming out of the trap. It is also a good place to collect water samples and when I was training one old boilerman used to make coffee with the water/steam.
  • PS_2
    PS_2 Member Posts: 14


    Something like this
  • Timco
    Timco Member Posts: 3,040


    Hard to believe there is now way to examine the head after pulling it and boil it or hit it lightly with a torch to check the function...bake it???

    Tim
    Just a guy running some pipes.
  • Brad White
    Brad White Member Posts: 2,399
    Or the similar Cajun trap test...

    Grab the condensate line. If the trap has failed, "Aaaiiieeeee!!!".

    Et toi.

    :)
    "If you do not know the answer, say, "I do not know the answer", and you will be correct!"



    -Ernie White, my Dad
  • Rich Kontny_3
    Rich Kontny_3 Member Posts: 562
    On Commercial projects...

  • Rich Kontny_3
    Rich Kontny_3 Member Posts: 562
    On Commercial projects...

    We used an instument called a Pyrometer, which is a very sensitive temperature measuring device that senses surface temperatures with an s shaped or serpentine style sensor on the end of a probe.

    I still have one of these in my garage arsenal. Have not used it in quite a while.


    Rich K.
  • heatguy
    heatguy Member Posts: 102
    what do you call em

    we use to use a grease pencil i think it was called they come with diffrent melt temps for diffrent operating temps you basicaly mark the return pipe at floor level it melts you got steam
  • Unknown
    Unknown Member
    Tempilstiks

    Tempilstiks
  • Timco
    Timco Member Posts: 3,040


    I just bought an IR camera for trap checking and night spying....did I just say that out loud???

    Can't wait to get it on the job!!!!

    Tim
    Just a guy running some pipes.
  • realolman
    realolman Member Posts: 513
    Now there

    by durn is a boilerman!

  • Joe Billow_6
    Joe Billow_6 Member Posts: 69


    One of the best I ever met. He retired as a Navy boiler man in the early 60's then retired doing the same thing in civilian life. One time he fell into a condensate well but still shut cycled the boiler down before he passed out. A couple of months worth of skin graphing and he was back to work. You don't see men like that to often.

    Joe Billow
  • Larry_43
    Larry_43 Member Posts: 6
    Testing steam trap

    I have brought this up before the best way and it is reliable is to use an ultrasonic leak detector. You can actually buy one that has a steel probe that you can touch the trap with and not get burned. Then you can hear the steam blowing by or the trap onpening and closing.

    Larry
  • Larry_43
    Larry_43 Member Posts: 6
    steam traps

    I brought out that the best way to check steam traps is with an ultra sonic leak detector if you get the right one you can get it with a steel rod and it wont burn you at all. you can touch the trap and hear if it is working or not. You have to wait to make sure the steam is passing through or opening and closing before you can be sure.

    Larry




  • Larry_43
    Larry_43 Member Posts: 6
    steam traps

    I brought out that the best way to check steam traps is with an ultra sonic leak detector if you get the right one you can get it with a steel rod and it wont burn you at all. you can touch the trap and hear if it is working or not. You have to wait to make sure the steam is passing through or opening and closing before you can be sure.

    Larry




This discussion has been closed.

Categories