Pressure Gauge Concern.

cunam

<span>

Hello!

I'm using Burnham steam gas boiler.My question is about the pressure gauge,because no matter how cold outside,the system running all the time but the pressure gauge won't move a bit,is it a problem?My boiler is 1 year old and the main control set at 2 psi and the DIFF is 0.75 psi.Thank you for your help.</span>

Jamie Hall

That's normal

You have the required (by insurance, if not by code) 0 to30 psi gauge.  Those things are just about useless at normal residential steam pressures -- they just don't respond accurately, if at all, at 0 to 2 psi.



If you really want to know the pressure your system is operating at -- and it is probably in the range of a few ounces per square inch -- you need to add a 0 to 3 psi gauge.



And, incidentally, check what the pressure control is set at.  If it is the common "additive" pressuretrol, the cut in should be set a about 0.7 to 1 psi, and the differential at no more than 1; if it is the subtractive type, then the cutout should be set at about 1.5, and the differential at 1.  If it will go that low...

cunam

Thank You.

Thanks for your reply,just one more question please.How to know if the main steam vent working properly? Because I have two at the basement for around ten years already.Thanks.

Jamie Hall

Several ways to check a vent...

the simplest is when the boiler starts to make steam, feel at the opening on the vent -- you should feel air coming out (if not hear it).  It can be difficult to feel...  Second, if the steam reaches the end of the main fairly quickly -- a matter of a few minutes (I've sort of use a rule of thumb of about 1 minute for 15 feet of main -- but that's just a ballpark) the air is surely going somewhere... most likely out the vent!



And, of couse, when steam gets to the vent it should close -- no more air or steam.

cunam

You are the man.

I like you already.