Hartford Loop Confusion

Servicewiz_2

I am in need of clarification on the Hartford loop.Reading Dans lost art of steam heating I gathered that the Loop was generally for gravity returns.When I consult my Weil-Mclain Install manual it tells me the Hartford Loop is a REQUIREMENT on all steam boilers.When I consult my H.B.Smith manual it is an option.This makes no sense to me,as just as a gravity return line can plug(gravity) Just as easily can a check valve fail/a line break/or a motor(cond. pump) fail!!!!!.Would it not make sense to follow Weil-Mclain and simply REQUIRE it??????????

Unknown

Sure,

The time that you wouldn't use it (pump tank with check valve), the vent piping on the tank must rise above the boiler water line and forces any leak-by of the check valve into the return piping.

As long as the pump (and the float controlling it) work, the pump will just push the leaked water back into the boiler.

If you pump into a Hartford loop, the thing is noisey, and the close nipple at the top of the loop wears away in a couple years. Ask me how I know that tidbit......

Noel