
PB SERIES BOILER INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Page 13
PROBE LOW WATER CUT-OFF
Two different probe low water cut-offs are used on the
PB steam boilers as standard equipment.The Hydrolevel
model CG450-2060 is used on models without the
tankless coil, the CGT450-2060 probe low water
cut-off is used on models with the tankless coil. The
probe low water cut-off senses water level by sending
an electrical current through a metallic probe mounted
in the water jacket of the boiler. If water is surrounding
the probe the current will travel through the water to the
metal casting and back to the control. The control will
then enable the boiler to run. Hydrolevel recommends
cleaning the probe yearly using a nylon-cleaning pad.
Hydrolevel has developed a "CycleGuard" feature that
uses a timer to shut the boiler down at regular intervals
for a "still water test". The still water test allows time
for foam and condensate to settle before determining
the true water level. This feature prevents foam and
wave action from generating a false high water level.
The Hydrolevel CG450-2060 control is used on all PB
steam boiler that are not equipped with the tankless
coil. The 2060 suffix in the part number refers to the
CycleGuard timing. This timing will allow the boiler to
run for 20 minutes and then will provide a 60-second still
water test. It is the CycleGuard feature, which in many
situations is instrumental in protecting boilers during low
water conditions. Foaming isthe most difficult problem to
overcome with a probe low water cut-off because it has
the same electrical properties as water. Lab experience
has shown that many boilers can have a severe foaming
situation even though the sight glass remains still and
crystal clear. To make matters worse, the generation
of foam often increases as the water level drops and
approaches the top of the crown sheet. The still water
test cycle has a minimum effect on the boiler heating
capacity. The boiler will resume a full rolling boil within 3
to 5 seconds of completing the still water test.
Water levels may fluctuate below the minimal safe level
momentarily as a result of waves generated bythe boiling
action. There is a timer delay function programmed into
the control that prevents the boiler from shutting off
unless the low water condition lasts longer than 10-12
seconds. This allows enough time to eliminate nuisance
shutdowns and yet the duration is short enough to
prevent damage to the boiler in the event of a real low
water condition.
The Hydrolevel control used on the PB steam boilers
has another feature called the SmartCycle. This feature
allows the timer to be reset at the start of each call for
heat to provide a full 20 minute run time between still
water testing. Without this option a boiler with a 2060
control timing that ran for 18 minutes on one call for heat
will only run for 2 minutes on the next call for heat before
shutting down for the still water test. This can appear
to be a "boiler short cycling problem" when in fact the
control timer is just finishing up the 20-minute cycle.
The Hydrolevel control is constantly testing for low water
even during standby when the boiler is idle.Testing is not
limited to the still water test period. Therefore every call
for heat essentially starts with a low water test. Through
testing it was determined the PB boiler could run for 20
minutes without needing a still water test. To utilize this
option an orange wire is connected from the burner to
the Hydrolevel control at the "Burne¢' terminal. This wire
sends a signal to the control each time the burner is
energized resetting the CycleGuard timer. This allows
the boiler to run a full 20-minute cycle on each call for
heat, or until the call for heat is satisfied.
For steam boilers equipped with a tankless coil there
is another SmartCycle feature that suspends the still
water test until the demand for domestic hot water is
satisfied. Normally after the still water test the boiler
is back to a full boil in a few seconds, but cold water
flowing through the tankless coil during this test period
can cause the boiler water temperature to drop. On
smaller boilers the burner output may not be enough
to allow the water temperature to rebound and still
produce domestic hot water. Steam boilers sold with
the tankless coil are provided with a control with a "T"
in the part number. The CGT450-2060 control will have
two extra pairs of terminals. There is a pair of terminals
labeled "Low Limit". These terminals connect to an
aquastat that measures the boiler water temperature
near the tankless coil. The second set of terminals
labeled "Thermostat" will connect to the T-T terminals on
the burner in parallel with the building thermostat. This
feature will suspend the still water test whenever the low
limit aquastat determines that the boiler is being used
to produce domestic hot water. This will help assure the
boiler maintains sufficient temperature for the tankless
coil to produce the hot water required.