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Internal Syphon Gauge Maxed Out

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GuyWithPuns
GuyWithPuns Posts: 2
in Thermostats and Controls

Hello, I have a one pipe steam system. I just went to start it up for the winter and as it kicked on and ran for 20 minutes or so the gauge that reads "Internal Syphon" climbed up to, then exceeded, its max rating of 30 psi. I shut my thermostat off so that it would stop calling for heat. What's going on? What can I do about it? Is this something I need the boiler serviced to address? Thank you for any help you can provide.

I called my steam company and got some useless AI secretary. It eventually forwarded my message to the office but I'm in a cold house until I figure this out. Thankfully it's still in the 50's but I would like to do something about it soon.

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,204

    you can get a gauge with a hose thread from a hardware store and screw it on to one of the drains on the boiler, open the drain, fire the boiler, see what the gauge reads. If the gauge on the boiler gets clogged with water trapped inside, as that water heats it will build pressure in the gauge. most likely the problem is with the gauge rather than the boiler.

    GuyWithPuns
  • bburd
    bburd Posts: 1,332
    edited 9:54PM

    If the steam pressure rose above 15 psig the safety relief valve should have opened. Maybe the gauge is faulty, maybe it's not. If the gauge is accurate and the safety valve failed to open, that boiler could blow up your house and scald or kill people. Leave it turned off until a qualified professional can assure you that it is safe to run.

    —
    Bburd
    GuyWithPuns

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