explosion proof disconnect
- Thread starter bwyllie
- Start date
- Status
hbiss
EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
- Location
- Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
- Occupation
- EC
Re: explosion proof disconnect
Explain "gas booster pump".
Explain "gas booster pump".
G
Guest
Guest
Re: explosion proof disconnect
What kind of gas?
Natural gas usually has a regulator at the MPOE to lower the gas pressure.
Is there a regulator and then a booster?
What kind of gas?
Natural gas usually has a regulator at the MPOE to lower the gas pressure.
Is there a regulator and then a booster?
tony_psuee
Senior Member
- Location
- PA/MD
Re: explosion proof disconnect
bwyllie,
To determine if an explosion proof disconnect is needed requires knowing the classification of the area. One of the best sources for that is the building owner/tenant's insurance carrier. As the people responsible to pay money if it goes boom
they are who I would contact to determine what is required for this installation. If it is classified hazardous then Chapter 5 is the place to start.
Wayne, from my experience with gas, if they are putting the booster on it is before a regulator. The gas fired units I have worked on all had the regulator in the gas train located on the unit. Even with a regulator, depending on the size of the gas train and approval, FM or IRI, would require additional manually resettable high and/or low pressure cutoffs.
Tony
bwyllie,
To determine if an explosion proof disconnect is needed requires knowing the classification of the area. One of the best sources for that is the building owner/tenant's insurance carrier. As the people responsible to pay money if it goes boom
they are who I would contact to determine what is required for this installation. If it is classified hazardous then Chapter 5 is the place to start.Wayne, from my experience with gas, if they are putting the booster on it is before a regulator. The gas fired units I have worked on all had the regulator in the gas train located on the unit. Even with a regulator, depending on the size of the gas train and approval, FM or IRI, would require additional manually resettable high and/or low pressure cutoffs.
Tony
G
Guest
Guest
Re: explosion proof disconnect
After my post I realized that the booster is because the utility cannot guarantee the pressure. This means the pressure is variable. At times the pressure will be too low. It doesn't make a lot of sense because gas is high-pressure up to the regulator. That's the job of the regulator: To take the variable high-pressure and make it into consistent low-pressure. That's also why the gas feeders from the main can be so tiny in diameter, but once it hits the regulator the size of the pipe has to be increased dramatically.
Yes, I now see the booster would have to go in front of the regulator. There isn't supposed to be any gas leakage at the meter or regulator. When it comes to the electric panels the meter is not considered a flammable source. A meter is not like a gas pump were there will be spillage from time to time. Explosion-proof may be a good redundant safety feature, but not sure if it's required. Ask the PoCo or AHJ.
After my post I realized that the booster is because the utility cannot guarantee the pressure. This means the pressure is variable. At times the pressure will be too low. It doesn't make a lot of sense because gas is high-pressure up to the regulator. That's the job of the regulator: To take the variable high-pressure and make it into consistent low-pressure. That's also why the gas feeders from the main can be so tiny in diameter, but once it hits the regulator the size of the pipe has to be increased dramatically.
Yes, I now see the booster would have to go in front of the regulator. There isn't supposed to be any gas leakage at the meter or regulator. When it comes to the electric panels the meter is not considered a flammable source. A meter is not like a gas pump were there will be spillage from time to time. Explosion-proof may be a good redundant safety feature, but not sure if it's required. Ask the PoCo or AHJ.
Re: explosion proof disconnect
awwt:
You're right for most commercial (and probably all residential applications). But some devices may need natural gas delivered at a high pressure. An example might be a large natural gas generator (maybe 100Kw).
If something like this is added to an existing building with existing gas service, the gas company isn't going to want to upgrade their pipe going to the building (at least not for free). Therefore, a booster pump may be the only way to ensure the generator gets the pressure it needs.
Steve
awwt:
You're right for most commercial (and probably all residential applications). But some devices may need natural gas delivered at a high pressure. An example might be a large natural gas generator (maybe 100Kw).
If something like this is added to an existing building with existing gas service, the gas company isn't going to want to upgrade their pipe going to the building (at least not for free). Therefore, a booster pump may be the only way to ensure the generator gets the pressure it needs.
Steve
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