two steam heat questions

MPR

I have two questions.  Pretty simple ones I think.



1. What happens when a radiator is pitched at too much of an angle?



and



2.  How does one check a (honeywell) pressuretrol to make sure it is clean and working correctly?



Thanks in advance.

Jamie Hall

Two answers

For number 1, if the radiator is pitched towards the outlet (in one pipe, the same as the inlet, of course; in two pipe could be at eitherr end) too much, not much wrong will happen.  If it's pitched the other way at all, again in two pipe, not much happens -- but in one pipe you may get anything from annoying noises to no heat at all.



For number 2, you will need an accurate pressure gauge with a range similar to the pressuretrol; there is no other reliable way to do it.  That gauge is in addition to the 0  to 30 gauge which most codes -- and insurance companies -- require, as the 0 to 30 gauge is only useful at higher pressures.