mi000ke
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I’ve done a lot of searching here and on the web to try to understand how to use an IP gauge to test my regulator. I have a general idea of what to do, but am looking for a bit more specific information. Please see if I have this right and correct me where I am off, Thanks!
As I understand it, there are three things I am looking to test:
As I understand it, there are three things I am looking to test:
- Actual intermediate pressure: assuming no creep, does the IP fall within the manufacturer-specified IP range?
- Needle swing during purge or breath: does needle drop about 10-20 psi then recover immediately and remain stable?
- Lockup/Creep: is the needle stopping (locking-up) or drifting higher (creep) after a breath or purge? Does the needle continually creep up after 1-2 hours or so under pressure or does it lock up before then within the manufacturer-specified range?
- Put the IP gauge under pressure.
- Observe the initial reading to see if it falls within the manufacturer- specified range and whether it remains stable [OVER HOW LONG A PERIOD SHOULD I WAIT TO OBSERVE CREEP?].
- Purge 2nd stage (or take a breath) [WHICH IS BETTER, PURGING OR TAKING A BREATH?]
- Observe how low the pressure goes (should go down about 10-20 psi) [Is 10-20 psi CORRECT?]
- Observe what pressure the needle recovers to and how long it takes to recover (ideally, should be immediate and to initial reading).
- If recovering to less than the initial reading, observe how long it takes to creep up to the initial reading. If < 5 psi low and < 5 seconds to lockup at initial reading, then OK. [CORRECT?]
- If recovering to more than initial reading, if locking up within specified range after 5 sec, then OK. [CORRECT?]
- Observe if IP remains stable for 1-2 hours after purge test. If no creep, or creep locks up within manufacturer-specified range, then OK. [DO I NEED TO OBSERVE CREEP BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER PURGING, OR JUST ONCE? IF ONCE, SHOULD IT BE BEFORE OR AFTER PURGING?]
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