Location of Flow Switch in a Chilled Water Closed Loop 1

[supaman79]

Guys,

What is the proper location for a flow switch?
Is it in the return or supply side of the chiller?

 

[friartuck]

Trane usually supply a vane paddle, though pressure switches are ok.

The device measures flow, so owing to the conservation of matter and energy, flow in=flow out. Therefore the detector could be fitted in either.

Fit it in a straight run to avoid turbulence and make sure you can isolate it for removal etc.

Friar Tuck of Sherwood

 

[supaman79]

Thanx friartuck...

In addition to that what is the difference between a flow check and a flow switch?

 

[imok2]

I like to install flow switches on the suppy side of te euipment.
Excess flow check valves are required for liquid or gas applications where the safety of employees is a prime consideration. They are designed to sense and shut off surging fluid flows caused by a downstream line rupture also position switches provide remote indication when the valve has closed. They are used a lot in refineries and Nuclear power plants
A flow switch is used to prove that a flow is present in a pipe, duct,etc. Both are for people and equipment safety.

 

[ClydeMule]

I package a flow swtich with the chillers I build, and always put them on the return line.

In the event of a broken pipe or hose the pump inside the chiller would not detect a flow problem until the water in the internal reservoir was empty. In that case the evaporator on the return side would run without water until the tank was drained. It is a short time period but enough to do damage. I put the swtich right before the chiller barrel.

This is for small packaged chillers <50 tons, so it may not be applicable to what you are doing.

Clyde