1
Form No. 5500-32 Rev C
Code: +0700092EN REV 3.2 04APR2022
ENG
1. HOW IT WORKS
The 5500 Steam Humidifier is an electrode humidifier. Unlike
heating elements, electrode steam humidifiers produce
steam for humidification by passing electric current through
the water between metal electrodes inside the plastic steam
generator cylinder. Steam output is directly proportional to the
conductivity of the water, the power supply (115V or 230V),
and the amount of electrode immersed in the water.
IMPORTANT: Test the water prior to installation
with a
conductivity tester (use GFI #7706 or CGF #GF-AP-2 or
similar) to ensure water conductivity falls between 125 to
1250 μS/cm.
1.1 OPERATING STAGES
On a call for humidity, the 5500 Steam Humidifier (See Fig. 1.a.)
controller will:
• Open the water fill valve
❶
and allow water to enter the
cylinder. A flow restrictor prevents the unit from filling too
quickly or with too much pressure.
• The water flows up the fill tube
❷
and into the fill cup
❸
, which creates a 1” air gap to prevent backflow of
contaminated water into the feed lines, through the second
fill tube
❹
and into the bottom of the steam cylinder
❺
.
Any backflow or overflow of water travels through the
overflow hose
⓫
to the drain.
HL
EVP
DT
WATER
OUTLET
WATER
INLET
DRAIN
CUP
DP
FILL
CUP
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
STEAM
BOILER UNIT
8
9
10
11
Fig. 1.a
• As the water fills the cylinder, it will reach the electrodes
❻
and electrical current will begin to flow. As the water
continues to fill the cylinder, the current will increase. This is
monitored by an amperage transformer connected to one
of the power wires located on the electronic controller.
• When the desired current is reached, the fill valve will close,
and the water will then begin to warm and produce steam.
• If the water reaches the cylinder full probe
❽
or if current
rises too much, the drain pump
❿
will be activated to drain
away some water and reduce the current flow to acceptable
levels.
NOTE:
Any time the drain pump is activated, the
tempering valve
❾
will be opened for tempering the
hot drained water down to less than 140°F / 60°C in
accordance to local and national standards.
Periodically, the unit will activate the drain pump
❿
and
drain water to reduce mineral concentration. Every 120 hours
the unit automatically drains to remove mineral sediment on
the bottom of the cylinder. A strainer in the cylinder helps to
prevent mineral debris from jamming the drain pump.
If the 5500 Steam Humidifier remains powered but idle (i.e.
without producing steam) for more than 72 hours (3 days), the
cylinder will automatically be emptied of water and will not
refill until the unit is restarted. If there is no water in the cylinder,
there will be no current flow and no steam production.
The electrodes do not burn out but they will eventually
become completely coated with mineral and the cylinder
will then need to be replaced. Cleaning cylinders may cause
electrode damage, therefore voiding its warranty.
See Section 7: Maintenance for more information.
See Fig. 1.b. for basic components.
Summary of Contents for GeneralAire 5500
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