Testing the instruments safety features
Testing
the safety valve
Instruments with a lug-type cover have a safety valve
(located
at the back on the right side of the chamber body). Model
650 does not have or need this valve. This valve vents the
chamber
if the cover is not completely closed. This valve MUST be tested
at the beginning of each measurement session.

First, use your finger to depress the piston so that it is inside the
safety valve

Insert a solid rubber gasket into the cover

Install the cover on the chamber body

Turn the chamber all the way to the stop so that the cam is over the
piston

Then turn the lid back so that the cam is not blocking the piston

Begin to slowly apply pressure to the chamber (The rate valve should
be nearly closed)

The safety valve should pop open before the
pressure
reaches 2 bar.
You will hear nitrogen escaping from the valve and the
pressure will not increase in the chamber
If it does not, turn the control to EXHAUST, then
remove
the nut and piston of the safety valve and lubricate the O-ring on the
piston with petroleum jelly. Reassemble and test the safety valve
again. When the safety valve opens, the pressure in the chamber
should
drop to near zero. This time the safety valve should open at a
pressure
below 2 bar. If it does not, remove the nut and piston of the
safety
valve and again clean and lubricate the O-ring on the piston with
petroleum
jelly. Check for any foreign debris then reassemble and test the
safety valve again.
The safety valve is an important safety component of the
instrument.
Do not attempt to operate the instrument until the safety valve is
operating
properly; that is, until it is releasing the chamber pressure at less
than
2 bar pressure,
As an added safety precaution, the cover should be left in only one
of two positions:
1 ) on the chamber and completely locked in place, or
2) completely removed from the chamber.
The cover should never be left in any intermediate position.
This section on safety valves does not apply to chambers with a
threaded
cover (i.e. Model 650) as there is no danger of the vessel being
pressurized
with the cover only partially installed.
Testing the
Pressure Relief Valve
All instruments are fitted with a
Pressure Relief Valve. This valve is set at the factory for the
maximum operating pressure of the instrument. The valve will
discharge pressure if the maximum operating pressure is exceeded.
This valve rarely needs any maintenance or testing. If you desire
to test the Pressure Relief Valve you should do the following:
Insert a solid rubber gasket into the cover.
Install the cover on the chamber body

Turn the chamber all the way to the stop so that the cam is over the
piston

Pressurize instrument to full operating pressure.
You will hear pressure discharge from valve located inside the
instrument.
It might be necessary to completely exhaust the chamber before the
safety valve resets.
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