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Autumn is the Time for Steam Trap Testing
Tip written by: Infraspection Institute

With the onset of seasonably cooler weather, autumn is the time to prepare your steam system for the upcoming heating season. Testing your steam traps before the season begins can help to pinpoint costly leaks before the heating season begins.

Traditionally, two different non-destructive technologies have been employed to test steam systems – contact ultrasonics and temperature measurement. Used individually, each of these techniques has limitations that can lead to false positive and/or false negative results. Combining temperature measurement with ultrasound can result in a highly accurate test method by following a few simple steps:

• Measure trap inlet to ensure that temperature is above 212º F. If trap inlet is below 212º F, ascertain why steam is not reaching trap
• Listen to the trap outlet with contact probe of ultrasonic unit. Continuous hissing or rushing sounds usually indicate a failed trap
• Ascertain that trap is cycling periodically. Frequent cycling may be caused by an undersized or worn trap
• Tag defective traps and document in written report
• Re-test defective traps after repair to ensure effectiveness of repair

Always be sure to follow appropriate safety precautions especially when working with high pressure steam or when using ladders or lift equipment.

Infrared inspection of steam traps is one of the many topics covered in the Level I Infraspection Institute Certified Infrared Thermographer^® training course. For information on thermographer training including our Distance Learning Courses, visit us online at www.infraspection.com or call us at 609-239-4788.