START

IS THE STEAM TRAP MAKE SURE THE

OPERATING VALVES ARE OPEN

TEMPERATURE COLD FAILED IN THE

CLOSED POSITION
OR PLUGGED

HOT

SELECT THE SENSITIVITY FOR

THE STEAM PRESSURE

SELECT TEST PROCEDURE

FOR THE FOLLOWING

ON/OFF OPERATION CONTINUOUS FLOW

I/B TD THERM F/T

TEST STEAM TRAP PER ATTACHED SHEETS

RECORD RESULTS

14 Hayes Street
The Ultrasound Company Elmsford, NY 10523 USA
Toll Free USA & Canada Tel. 24 Hour Fax email Internet
1-800-223-1325 914-592-1220 914-347-2181 info@uesystems.com www.uesystems.com
 BASIC INVERTED BUCKET TRAP OPERATION - Normal Load
(ON/OFF OPERATION)

CLOSED - NO DISCHARGE TESTER INDICATOR READING

9
5
4 6

7
2

8
1 9
0

Indicator at 0 on scale This shows the valve is

closed and no steam leakage.
Bucket up, valve closed on seat.

OPEN-DISCHARGING CONDENSATE

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

Bucket down, valve open Indicator rises on scale to show the trap
discharging condensate.

FAILED OPEN - BLOWING LIVE STEAM

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

Indicator pegs on scale accompanied by a

high hissing sound of steam passing through the
open valve seat.
Broken linkage, damaged bucket, badly worn
valve & seat etc.

-2-
 DETAILED INVERTED BUCKET TRAP OPERATION

The operating characteristics of the Inverted Bucket trap vary according to the condensate load:

1. LIGHT LOAD

The trap will dribble condensate without any distinct cycle. The indicator will show only a very
slight back and forth movement at the extreme lower end of the scale.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

2. MEDIUM LOAD

The trap will open and close intermittently with a distinct cycle.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

3. HEAVY LOAD

The trap will discharge condensate continuously. This is ususally observed at start up of equipment.
If the trap does not catch up with the load and begin an intermittent discharge, this is an
indication that the trap is undersized for the application. Continuously discharging under heavy load
will register high on the scale and some back and forth movement of the indicator.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

-3-
4. LOSS OF PRIME

Badly worn linkage preventing the valve from seating properly or loss of prime as a result of over-
sizing registers an erratic and rapid back & forth movement of the indicator accompanied by an
audible metallic ringing noise caused by the bucket dancing inside the trap body.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

5. LEAKING STEAM

As a result of wear, the valve will not seal properly allowing steam to leak through the seat. The
indicator will not return to the 0 position and a slight hissing sound will be heard.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

-4-
 BASIC THERMODYNAMIC TRAP OPERATION - Normal Load

CLOSED - NO DISCHARGE TESTER INDICATOR READING

9
5
4 6

7
2

8
1 9
0

Disc valve closed on seat Indicator at the 0 position which shows the disc
valve is closed.
OPEN - DISCHARGING CONDENSATE

9
5
4 6

7
2

8
1 9
0

The indicator moves up on the scale to show the

Disc up, valve open trap is discharging condensate.

FAILED OPEN - BLOWING LIVE STEAM

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

The indicator pegs on the scale accompanied

by a high hissing sound of steam passing through
Worn disc and seat.
the open valve seat.

-5-
 DETAILED THERMODYNAMIC TRAP OPERATION
1. LIGHT TO MEDIUM LOAD

The trap operates with an intermittent cycle. The length of the cycle will vary in accordance with the
condensate load. A Thermodynamic trap functioning properly will open and close with a distinct
cycle.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

8
1 9
0

2. HEAVY LOAD

The trap will discharge condensate continuously. This is usually observed at start up of equipment.
If the trap does not catch up with the load and begin an intermittent discharge, the trap may be
undersized for the application.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

Undersized or continuously discharging under heavy load will register high on the scale with some
back and forth movement of the indicator.
3. CHATTERING OR RAPID CYCLE

Wear of the disc valve and seat will cause the trap to operate with rapid cycle resulting in consider-
able steam loss. The trap should close between cycles for a period of at least 15 seconds. Any
shorter period of closure indicates the need for replacement.

4. LEAKING STEAM

As a result of wear, the disc valve will not seal properly allowing steam to leak through the seat.
The indicator will not return to the 0 position.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

-6-
 BASIC F&T TRAP OPERATION - Normal Load

A CONDENSATE VALVE TESTER INDICATOR READING

Continuous modulating discharge.

No on/off cycle.

9
5
4 6

7
2

8
1 9
0

The indicator moves back and forth smoothly

demonstrating the modulating effect of the float
Float moves up and down continuously. & valve continuously discharging condensate.

B AIR VENT

9
5
4 6

7
2

8
1 9
0

1. Note the indicator reading

2. Take another reading on the pipe upstream of
the trap.
At pre-set temperature below 212oF the Air Vent is normal if:
thermostatic element closes the Air Vent valve reading 2 is >/= reading 1
on the seat. Air Vent is leaking if:
reading 2 < reading 1
FAILED OPEN - BLOWING LIVE STEAM
(Condensate Valve)

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

Indicater pegs on the scale accompanied by

high hissing sound of steam passing through the
open valve seat.
Worn valve & seat, broken linkage, damaged
float, etc.

-7-
 DETAILED F&T TRAP OPERATION

The F&T trap discharges condensate continuously without any distinct on-off cycle.

1. LIGHT LOAD

Continuous discharge of condensate under light load conditions will register a very slight
modulating movement of the indicator at the bottom end of the scale.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

8
1 9
0

NOTE: Under extremely light load conditions at times there may be no apparent movement of the
indicator, this is normal.

2. MEDIUM LOAD

Under medium load conditions the modulating indicator will register higher on the scale than under
light load.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

3. HEAVY LOAD

The indicator will register heavy condensate load by moving up to or at maximum scale indicating
the trap is working at maximum capacity. This condition is ususally observed at start up of equip-
ment. The trap should catch up with the load and the modulating indicator will begin to move down
the scale. If the indicator remains at or near maximum scale, this would be an indication of
undersizing.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

-8-
 THERMOSTATIC TRAP OPERATION - Normal Load

CLOSED - NO DISCHARGE
TESTER INDICATOR READING

9
5
4 6

7
2

8
1 9
0

Bellows expanded, valve closed on seat.

Indicator at 0 position. This shows the valve
closed and no steam leakage.

OPEN - DISCHARGING CONDENSATE

9
5
4 6

7
2

8
1 9
0

Bellows contracted, valve open.

Indicator moves up scale to show trap

discharging condensate.

FAILED OPEN - BLOWING LIVE STEAM

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

Indicator pegs on scale accompanied by high

hissing sound of steam passing through open
valve seat.
Worn valve & seat, failed open bellows or bi-
metal, etc.

-9-
 DETAILED THERMOSTATIC TRAP OPERATION

1. LIGHT LOAD

The trap will operate intermittently. The indicator will register on the lower end of the scale.

9
5
3 4 6

7
2

8
1 9
0

2. MEDIUM LOAD

The trap will discharge continuously with the indicator modulating higher on the scale than under
light load.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

3. HEAVY LOAD

The indicator will register a heavy condensate load by moving up to maximum scale demonstrating
that the trap is working at maximum capacity. This condition is usually observed at start up of
equipment. The trap should catch up with the load and the modulating indicator will begin to move
down the scale. If the the trap has not caught up with the load, the indicator will remain at top of the
scale, which could be an indication of undersizing.

9
5
4 6
3

7
2

1 9
0

-10-