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Appendix C:
Troubleshooting Tips
Troubleshooting tips are provided here as a beginning point in correcting start-up issues and
clearing out alarm and trip events.
High Temperature Reading/Alarm
The following summarizes some of the possible causes and solutions for heat tracing high
temperature alarms.
Cause
Possible Solutions
Temperature of product in process line is
above alarm set point or the expected reading
due to events other than heat tracing such
as high processing temperatures, steam-outs,
etc.
Let process return to normal
condition or adjust alarm set point (if
approved by project engineer) to
allow for this processing condition.
High alarm setting programmed or expected
reading did not consider natural temperature
overshoot associated with the control scheme.
Move control set point down to allow
for overshoot or raise the high
temperature alarm set point (if
approved by project engineer). It may
also be possible to decrease the control
band on the control circuit or adjust
the type of control from on-off to
proportional.
Improperly located RTD sensor.
Is the RTD sensor installed next to a
heated tank or a steam jacketed pump
that might cause a higher than
expected reading? Is the RTD sensor
on the heater itself? Move the RTD
sensor to location more representative
of the majority of the piping. Is the
sensor location representative for
properly controlling under all flow
scenarios? Review location of the
RTD(s) with respect to the known
process flow patterns which occur and
change as appropriate.
