GE Powervent AP13787 - Manual (Page 11)

11
WARNING: Do not attempt to convert this water heater for use with a different type of gas other than the type
shown on the rating plate. Such conversion could result in hazardous operating conditions.
Leak Testing
The water heater and its gas connections
must be leak tested at normal operating
pressures before it is placed in operation.
Turn on the manual gas shut-off
valve near the water heater.
Use a soapy water solution to test
for leaks at all connections and
fittings. Bubbles indicate a gas leak
that must be corrected.
The factory connections to the gas
control (thermostat) should also be leak
tested after the water heater is placed in
operation.
High Altitude
Input rating of this water heater is based
on sea level operation. At higher
elevations the actual input rate may be
lower than the value listed on the rating
label. This water heater can be installed
at elevation up to 7,700 feet without any
change or modification. Installations above 7,700 feet are not
authorized.
Contact the local gas supplier for more
information.
Pressure Testing the Gas Supply System
The water heater and its manual gas
shut-off valve must be disconnected
from the gas supply piping system during
any pressure testing of that system at
pressures in excess of 3/8 psi
(10.5” w.c.) for natural gas, or 1/2 psi
(14” w.c.) for LP gas. The water heater must be isolated from
the gas piping system by closing the
manual gas shut-off valve during any
pressure testing of the gas supply piping
at pressures equal to or less than
3/8 psi (10.5” w.c.) for natural gas, or
1/2 psi (14” w.c.) for LP gas.
Gas Supply
The branch gas supply line to the water
heater should be clean 1/2” black steel
pipe or other approved gas piping
material.
A ground joint union or ANSI design
certified semi-rigid or flexible gas
appliance connector should be installed in
the gas line close to the water heater. The
National Fuel Gas Code (NFGC) mandates
a manual gas shut-off valve: See (NFGC)
for complete instructions.
If flexible connectors are used, the
maximum length shall not exceed 36”.
If lever type gas shut-offs are used,
they shall be T-Handle type.
Compound used on the threaded joints of
the gas piping must be of the type
resistant to the action of LP gas. Use
compound sparingly on male threads only.
A sediment trap should be installed at
the bottom of the gas line.
Do not use excessive force (over 31.5 ft
lbs.) in tightening the pipe joint at the gas
control (thermostat) inlet, particularly if
teflon pipe compound is used, as the valve
body may be damaged.
The inlet gas pressure to the water
heater must not exceed 10.5” w.c. for
natural gas, or 14” w.c. for LP gas. For
purposes of input adjustment, the
minimum inlet gas pressure (with main
burner on) is shown on the water heater
rating plate. If high or low gas pressures
are present, contact your gas supplier for
correction.
WARNING: Never use an
open flame to test for gas
leaks, as property damage,
personal injury, or death
could result.
WARNING: Failure to
install a water heater
suitable for the altitude at
the location it is intended to
serve, can result in
improper operation of the
appliance resulting in
property damage and/or,
producing carbon monoxide
gas, which could result in
personal injury, or death.
Safety Instructions
Installation Instructions
Operating Instructions
Care and Cleaning
T
roubleshooting Tips
Customer Service