Bacharach Tru Pointe 1100 Owner's Manual
11
Tru Pointe® 1100
Instruction 0028-9002
NOTE: It is fairly common for large manufacturing and
processing plants to spend tens of thousands of dollars
on steam system conservation programs (equipment
and personnel) designed to locate and repair failing
steam traps. Ultrasonic detectors play an important role
in these programs.
processing plants to spend tens of thousands of dollars
on steam system conservation programs (equipment
and personnel) designed to locate and repair failing
steam traps. Ultrasonic detectors play an important role
in these programs.
To test steam traps you will use the touch probe sensor. Press the “MODE” button until the
display reads the desired probe mode, then press ▲ and ▼ to activate the touch probe sensor.
Making a fi rm contact, touch the end of the probe to the steam trap being tested. Apply just
enough pressure to make a good contact, but do not push too hard. You will hear a clear transla-
tion of the internally generated ultrasonic sound. If the trap sounds appear to be masked by other
system sounds, reduce the sensitivity, and touch just upstream and downstream from the trap to
verify that what you hear is only the steam trap being tested.
display reads the desired probe mode, then press ▲ and ▼ to activate the touch probe sensor.
Making a fi rm contact, touch the end of the probe to the steam trap being tested. Apply just
enough pressure to make a good contact, but do not push too hard. You will hear a clear transla-
tion of the internally generated ultrasonic sound. If the trap sounds appear to be masked by other
system sounds, reduce the sensitivity, and touch just upstream and downstream from the trap to
verify that what you hear is only the steam trap being tested.
A properly functioning steam trap will have a distinct on and off fl ow cycle which is easy to
interpret with the Tru Pointe
interpret with the Tru Pointe
®
1100. A strong rushing sound indicates that the trap is purging.
You may want to listen to the sound of a good trap before trying to make important decisions
on the condition of others. Knowing what a healthy trap sounds like will be a great advantage.
There are many different types of steam traps. A “sputtering” sound may be quite normal for one
type and not another.
on the condition of others. Knowing what a healthy trap sounds like will be a great advantage.
There are many different types of steam traps. A “sputtering” sound may be quite normal for one
type and not another.
Thermal Expansion Valves (TXV)
The Tru Pointe
®
1100 can be used to test a TXV, check valve, ball, needle, gate… any type of
valve which may be leaking internally.
Any fl uid or gas passing from the upstream side (high pressure) to the downstream side (low
pressure) through a poorly seated valve will generate ultrasound, and clearly be heard using the
Tru Pointe
pressure) through a poorly seated valve will generate ultrasound, and clearly be heard using the
Tru Pointe
®
1100.
This test method is very similar to that of steam traps. Use the touch probe to test around the
perimeter of the valve housing. The sound will be loudest at the point of the leak (the area where
the gate, ball, needle, etc. seats into place to stop the fl ow. Use the sensitivity or frequency
adjustment to eliminate any extraneous pipe noise and you will be able to hear only the internal
fl ow of the valve.
perimeter of the valve housing. The sound will be loudest at the point of the leak (the area where
the gate, ball, needle, etc. seats into place to stop the fl ow. Use the sensitivity or frequency
adjustment to eliminate any extraneous pipe noise and you will be able to hear only the internal
fl ow of the valve.
By using the readings on the display and your ear, you can determine which side of the valve is
leaking.
leaking.
Bearings and Moving Machinery
The most common mechanical failure is a broken or seized bearing. However this type of failure
normally does not happen instantly. When the bearing begins to fail, the sound that it makes
changes. These changes occur in the ultrasonic range and can be detected with the Tru Pointe
normally does not happen instantly. When the bearing begins to fail, the sound that it makes
changes. These changes occur in the ultrasonic range and can be detected with the Tru Pointe
®
1100 by touching the bearing housing with the touch probe and listening for abnormal sounds.
Periodic preventive maintenance tests can prevent major disasters in both the machinery and
down time.
Periodic preventive maintenance tests can prevent major disasters in both the machinery and
down time.