Armstrong 1/2" Steam Trap #890

Bucket traps and thermodynamic traps are made differently and offer different benefits. The buckets traps are a mechanical trap that operates based on the density between steam and water. Bucket traps also vent air and carbon dioxide continuously. They tend to be energy efficient reliable, economical, and operate against any back pressure. The thermodynamic disc trap operates on a velocity principle and is time delayed. It only has 1 moving part, a disc, which must stay free of dirt. It resists hydraulic shock, and it's a nice option to use where space is limited.

The traps should jingle a little because there is a moving part inside the trap. It is the bucket inside.

Working steam traps are key to preventing water hammer in the lines. A steam trap’s job is to remove water/condensate that accumulates in the line and return it to your return tank.

Working steam traps are key to preventing water hammer in the lines. A steam trap’s job is to remove water/condensate that accumulates in the line and return it to your return tank.

The size of our valves are printed above the WSP rating on the valve.

The size of our valves are printed above the WSP rating on the valve.

Some valves can be used on water, oil, and air (WOG) as well as steam. Steam is a more abrasive substance, so the WSP (working steam pressure) rating tends to be lower than the WOG rating. Some items, just as steam traps and steam pressure reducing valves are only used in conjunction with steam, so psi ranges are associated with these items.

Some valves can be used on water, oil, and air (WOG) as well as steam. Steam is a more abrasive substance, so the WSP (working steam pressure) rating tends to be lower than the WOG rating. Some items, just as steam traps and steam pressure reducing valves are only used in conjunction with steam, so psi ranges are associated with these items.

No, we do not sell any valves that have been rebuilt.

No, we do not sell any valves that have been rebuilt.

Steam traps should be located on the return line after each piece of equipment that is to be drained. Ideally the traps should be installed where they are easily accessible, below the equipment that is to be drained, and in a close proximity to the equipment.

Steam traps should be located on the return line after each piece of equipment that is to be drained. Ideally the traps should be installed where they are easily accessible, below the equipment that is to be drained, and in a close proximity to the equipment.

A steam trap’s function is to “trap” steam and to collect condensate so it will be transferred back into the return line, and back to the boiler where the condensate will be changed into steam.

A steam trap’s function is to “trap” steam and to collect condensate so it will be transferred back into the return line, and back to the boiler where the condensate will be changed into steam.

WSP stands for “working steam pressure”.

WSP stands for “working steam pressure”.

WOG stands for “water, oil, and gas (steam)”.

WOG stands for “water, oil, and gas (steam)”.

PSI is a unit of measurement. It stands for pounds per square inch.

PSI is a unit of measurement. It stands for pounds per square inch.

1. If this is experienced, there may be a problem in the return line, back pressure may be diminishing the capacity of the trap: 1. Return line may be too small. If this were the case the trap would be hot. 2. Other traps on the line may be blowing steam. This too would cause the trap to be hot. 3. There may be a blockage in the return line. The trap would be hot. 4. There may be an excessive vacuum in the return line. If this were the case the trap would be cold. The atmospheric vent in condensate receiver may be plugged. The trap could either be hot or cold.

1. If this is experienced, there may be a problem in the return line, back pressure may be diminishing the capacity of the trap: 1. Return line may be too small. If this were the case the trap would be hot. 2. Other traps on the line may be blowing steam. This too would cause the trap to be hot. 3. There may be a blockage in the return line. The trap would be hot. 4. There may be an excessive vacuum in the return line. If this were the case the trap would be cold. The atmospheric vent in condensate receiver may be plugged. The trap could either be hot or cold.

Steam traps from time to time may fail. However, trap failure is not always easy to detect as steam may be blowing back into the pipe. Many experts agree that the best way to test a trap is to install test valves below the steam trap. If steam or nothing comes out of the test valve, then the trap is blown, however is condensate comes out, then the trap is working properly. Another extremely accurate way of testing traps is to use ultrasonic detection. Ultrasonic detectors translate ultrasonic emissions into sounds the human ear can hear. Technicians that use these detectors on a daily basis have an extremely high rate of accuracy. Someone with experience in using this technique should be consulted. The reason that these methods are most often recommended as opposed to temperature measurements, is because of the many different variables in the piping systems that may give inaccurate results about the traps efficiency such as back pressure or strainer and valve problems.

Steam traps from time to time may fail. However, trap failure is not always easy to detect as steam may be blowing back into the pipe. Many experts agree that the best way to test a trap is to install test valves below the steam trap. If steam or nothing comes out of the test valve, then the trap is blown, however is condensate comes out, then the trap is working properly. Another extremely accurate way of testing traps is to use ultrasonic detection. Ultrasonic detectors translate ultrasonic emissions into sounds the human ear can hear. Technicians that use these detectors on a daily basis have an extremely high rate of accuracy. Someone with experience in using this technique should be consulted. The reason that these methods are most often recommended as opposed to temperature measurements, is because of the many different variables in the piping systems that may give inaccurate results about the traps efficiency such as back pressure or strainer and valve problems.

If the unit is not heating properly: 1. The problem may be that one trap is being used to drain more than one piece of equipment. For example, if the trap is trying to work for more than one shirt unit, legger, or utility pressing station at a time, the trap will not work as efficiently. Condensate and air from one of those units may not reach the trap. The solution would be to install a trap on each unit. 2. Another reason this could happen would be if the trap were too small for the job. 3. The trap may have inadequate air handling capacities or air may not be reaching the trap. Try using alternate air vents.

If the unit is not heating properly: 1. The problem may be that one trap is being used to drain more than one piece of equipment. For example, if the trap is trying to work for more than one shirt unit, legger, or utility pressing station at a time, the trap will not work as efficiently. Condensate and air from one of those units may not reach the trap. The solution would be to install a trap on each unit. 2. Another reason this could happen would be if the trap were too small for the job. 3. The trap may have inadequate air handling capacities or air may not be reaching the trap. Try using alternate air vents.

If the trap is blowing live steam, it could be due to: 1. The valve may not be seating properly due to scale or dirt being lodged in the trap or there may be worn or defective parts in the trap 2. The trap may have lost its prime—close inlet valve for a few minutes, and slowly open it back up. The trap should catch its prime. Prime loss is typically due to frequent or sudden drops in pressure.

If the trap is blowing live steam, it could be due to: 1. The valve may not be seating properly due to scale or dirt being lodged in the trap or there may be worn or defective parts in the trap 2. The trap may have lost its prime—close inlet valve for a few minutes, and slowly open it back up. The trap should catch its prime. Prime loss is typically due to frequent or sudden drops in pressure.

A. If the trap is getting hot and not releasing any condensate, this would suggest that there is no moisture or condensate making it to the trap. The trap may be installed above a leaky by-pass valve, there may be a broken pipe in the syphon drained cylinder, or there may be vacuum water heater coils that could prevent drainage.

A. If the trap is getting hot and not releasing any condensate, this would suggest that there is no moisture or condensate making it to the trap. The trap may be installed above a leaky by-pass valve, there may be a broken pipe in the syphon drained cylinder, or there may be vacuum water heater coils that could prevent drainage.

The trap is not discharging any water or condensate. There are a couple of reasons why this would happen: 1. The pressure may be too high. 2. There maybe no water or steam coming to the trap 3. There maybe a defective or worn piece inside the trap not allowing the trap to work properly. 4. The trap body could be filled with scale or dirt 5. The bucket vent, in an inverted bucket trap, may be filled with dirt 6. If it’s a disc trap, the trap may have been installed backwards.

The trap is not discharging any water or condensate. There are a couple of reasons why this would happen: 1. The pressure may be too high. 2. There maybe no water or steam coming to the trap 3. There maybe a defective or worn piece inside the trap not allowing the trap to work properly. 4. The trap body could be filled with scale or dirt 5. The bucket vent, in an inverted bucket trap, may be filled with dirt 6. If it’s a disc trap, the trap may have been installed backwards.

The size of our valves are printed above the WSP rating on the valve.

The size of our valves are printed above the WSP rating on the valve.

This isn’t a term that is used very often, but yes it would be considered mechanical.

This isn’t a term that is used very often, but yes it would be considered mechanical.

All traps are tested to ensure they are working before they leave the plant. Some condensate from that testing may be left in the trap when being shipped.

All traps are tested to ensure they are working before they leave the plant. Some condensate from that testing may be left in the trap when being shipped.

Steam traps can last indefinitely if they are maintained and operating in suitable conditions. Armstrong warranties their cast iron traps for 1-year. United Brass warranties their traps for 3-months.

Steam traps can last indefinitely if they are maintained and operating in suitable conditions. Armstrong warranties their cast iron traps for 1-year. United Brass warranties their traps for 3-months.

Steam traps that have the strainer are considered a “preventative maintenance” feature. Rust and dirt particles that are floating around in the steam drop into the strainer portion of the trap because these substances are heavier than steam. This function prevents these contaminating particles from building up in the iron or other pieces of equipment causing problems by blocking the amount of steam passing through the system.

A trap should be installed on each station return line. Customers can choose to install either a ‘Thermodynamic Disc Trap’ with a larger capacity such as the ½” STE6 or a ‘Bucket’ type steam trap such as STE1 or STE2. The STE5 ¼” thermodynamic disc trap is specifically designed for steam iron return lines and is connected directly to the back of the iron or it can be hooked up to the end of the steam hose right before it is connect to the return line. The STE5 cannot be used for the station return line because it has low “pounds per hour” capacity. A bucket type steam trap or a thermodynamic disc trap with a larger capacity such as the STE6 is still recommended for the return line.

Extra hot water in the return tank is caused by either bad traps, bad float valves in the return tank, or a bad swing/spring check valve between the pump and boiler.

Possibly, if the trap failed in the closed position and condensate was baking up into the equipment, it could prevent the steam from bringing the equipment up to the proper temperature.

The bucket refers to the “upside down bucket” that is located inside of the trap. The trap works based on the differences between steam and water density. Steam that enters under the upside down bucket causes the bucket to float and close the discharge valve. As condensate enters the trap, it causes the bucket to sink and thus open the trap valve and allow condensate to leave the trap and go into the return line.

The 890 traps have a 7/64” orifice with a psi range of 20-125.