How Steam Traps Work: Thermostatic and F&T Explained Today's video

RayWohlfarth

This video talks about the two most popular steam traps and how they work. It discusses what reading the outlet temperature could give you a false diagnosis. It ends with how steam trap capacity is affected by pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD7zfDerg-U

Jamie Hall

Nice rundown on those pesky things, @RayWohlfarth .

Very minor quibble, though — most residential systems don't have condensate tanks, and thus no condensate tank vent and no handy dandy plume of steam when a trap has failed somewhere. Makes life more interesting…

RayWohlfarth

@Jamie Hall So true Thanks for the reminder

STONECREEKSERVICES

Nice explanations! Worked in power plants for years and dealt with many styles mentioned. Bucket traps another large volume return trap in the heating industry. Having large boilers and steam always available as heat source, many space heaters required trap maintenance. An interesting trap is the tilting disc thermodynamic trap. Very efficient. Could even be used to be an automatic blowdown on an air compressor tank.

Totally agree a mechanic stethoscope invaluable for diagnostic services. Listen to actions of good traps easy to identify bad ones. Happy Heating!

RayWohlfarth

@STONECREEKSERVICES Thank you for the comments and feedback. I have never seen the tilting disc thermodynamic trap. You have my interest piqued.