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39
TROUBLE SHOOTING - SYMPTOM, CAUSE AND ACTION
(Continued)
SYMPTOM
CAUSE
ACTION
Water in the duct
Note:
This is usually an installation problem.
The first step is to determine whether water
is spitting from the steam distributor pipe
or if steam is condensing on some object
downstream from the steam distributor pipe.
If water is spitting from the steam distributor
pipe there may be several causes.
The steam hose and condensate return line
MUST
have continuous slopes without any sags
or low areas where water could accumulate. If
water accumulates in the steam hose it may be
suddenly pushed into the distributor pipe and the
condensate return line may be unable to handle the
large volume.
Make sure that the condensate return line is not
restricted anywhere. Areas where the hose bends
or where it is tied using cable ties are often the
problem.
The distributor pipe must be installed so that the
far end of the distributor pipe is higher than the
incoming end where the condensate return
connection is located. The mounting plate on the
distributor pipes (with lengths up through 36”)
should be mounted on a plumb surface to
automatically provide proper pitch. On longer
pipes, it is necessary to support the pipe using the
bracket on the end of the pipe to insure that proper
slope is maintained.
If the condensate return line has a drop of less
than 12” from the distributor pipe to the top of the
humidifier cabinet, it may be better to route the
drain below the unit rather than connecting at the
top of the cabinet.
If the condensate return line is connected to the
fitting at the top of the humidifier cabinet, make
sure that traps have not been installed in the return
line. A trap is only needed if the return line is routed
to a separate drain and it is necessary to prevent
steam from being discharged from the line.
It may be beneficial, particularly on longer routes,
to put a trap in the steam hose right before the
distributor pipe. In this case, it is absolutely
necessary to run the condensate at the bottom of
the trap away to a separate drain.
If water is condensing on an object in the duct or
on the duct itself it will be necessary to take other
steps.
The distributor pipe must be a
minimum
of 6 feet
upstream from any elbow, split, coil, turning vane,
grille, or diffuser. The lower the air temperature is
in the duct the further upstream the pipe must be
located. If the air temperature is 60°F it may be
necessary to have 10 feet between the pipe and
any obstruction.
If it is not possible to have the required distance
from the distributor pipe to an obstruction a drain
pan may be required to accommodate the water.
It may be that air in the duct simply can’t hold the
volume of steam that is being added. Normally
the only practical solution is to reduce the steam
output of the humidifier, as it is usually not feasible to
increase the air temperature or quantity.