Babbitt Liquid Level Gauge - Manual (Page 4)

IMPORTANT!!!! IF YOU DON’T READ ANY OTHER PART OF THIS
MANUAL, PLEASE READ THIS PAGE. IT MAY SAVE YOU TIME, MONEY
AND MUCH FRUSTRATION.
PLACING THE GAGE IN SERVICE
To insure proper operation of the level gage, the following steps should be taken:
1. Make sure that operating conditions (temperature, pressure, specific gravity, etc.) are
within maximum rating of the gage. Each gage has a permanent nameplate at the
bottom of the scale indicating process specifications, serial number, tag number etc.
2. Install float. The float is marked “TOP” to insure proper orientation.
2a. On STYLE E Level Gages (Top Mount) remove float stop.
2b. STYLE A Level Gages are supplied with floats stops which should be installed between top
and bottom process connections.
3. The float chamber should be closed with no openings to the atmosphere. Check to see that
all drain and vent plugs are securely in place and any vent and drain valves are closed.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT IN HIGH PRESSURE APPLICATIONS.
IF THE BOTTOM VALVE IS OPENED FIRST AND THE VESSEL IS UNDER PRESSURE, THE
FLOAT INSIDE THE CHAMBER WILL SHOOT UP LIKE A “CANNONBALL” AND COULD
LODGE IN THE TOP OF THE CHAMBER CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FLOAT AND
CHAMBER.
4. When the gage is mounted and ready to be put into service, the TOP process
connection valve should be opened first and should be opened slowly to allow any
pressure to equalize. This allows process fluid or vapor to enter the gage slowly and
reach operating pressure and temperature at a reasonable rate.
5. When the gage has reached process process pressure, then open the bottom
process connection and installation should be complete.
CAUTION: NEVER USE THE VENT OR DRAIN ON THE GAGE AS A PRESSURE RELIEF FOR
THE PROCESS. DOING SO MAY PERMANENTLY DAMAGE GAGE AS WELL AS CAUSING
HAZARD TO PERSONNEL.