No system used for Steam heating should ever be installed with a fault detection unit. These systems include a steam trap monitoring as a basic necessity. These monitors will help you lower the amount of waste that is used on traps that have failed, it will be more cost efficient because these detection systems will make you more aware of a problem before it become a real big problem.
Spirax Sarco offers some great monitoring devices, The IPC 20 and 21, The R1C Steam Trap Failure Monitor, the SpiraTec Automatic Steam Trap Monitor R16C, the SpiraTec Remote Test point R1 and R12 just to name a few. You can get a complete list of Failure Monitors on the Spirax Sarco website.
One of the Steam Trap Failure Monitors that comes recommended is the R1C. This monitor has a SS1 SpiraTec Sensor that is used in conjunction with a SpiraTec Sensor Chamber. The WLSI will let you know if the system has become waterlogged or it is leaking. These detectors are great in identifying the problem right away.
The body of the monitor is made from a Cast Malleable Iron with a Black Enamel Finish. The enclosure rate of these monitors are IP65, they have a voltage requirement of 9-30 Vdc on a Supply Voltage of a 4-20 mA.
When the system is running properly you will see the Red and Orange Lights Off and the Green Light will flash. When the Trap is leaking you will see the Red light on and the Green Light Flashing.
When the Traps are waterlogged or blocked you will see the Orange light on and the Green Light will flash. When you see the trap cold but free of any condensate, you will see the Red and Orange Lights on but the Green Light Flashing. All of these are easy to read; you can read on these plus more in the manuals that come with the monitors. Or you can check out the Spirax Sarco for more information.
Also available on the R1C Fault Monitor are the Analog Output; this is available as a standard with the EMS that operate on an analog input signal. If the monitor breaks down you will have to replace the monitor because there are no replacement parts for it.
When ordering these monitors you will have to specify the Spirax Sarco Steam Trap Failure Monitor with the PNP Digital Output or the NPN Digital Output. The PNP Output will connect the monitor to a BEMS/EMS which digital input are down to 0 volts. The NPN works the same way except the voltage is used to a positive voltage, to find out which is best for your system, consult the HVAC expert or contact Spirax Sarco.
The main reasons why these systems don’t last as long as they should is because there are no fault detection systems on it. By identifying the problem as it happens, the quicker you can repair the problem. The quicker the better, it will be more cost efficient.
