Regulator – inspection & testing

Regulator – Inspection & Testing

Service Regulator

• Service Regulator & Meter Set

Inspection

• Regulator Flow, Lock-up and Leak Tests


Service Regulator

A device that controls the pressure

of gas from the service line pressure

(usually 60 psig) to the reduced

pressure ultimately delivered to the

customer.

(usually 7” W.C. or 2 psig)

Regulator – Inspection & TestingLock-up

The pressure at which a regulator

remains under a no-flow or no-load

condition. This lock-up pressure is

always slightly above the set

pressure.


Set Pressure

The pressure a regulator is adjusted

to deliver for the required pressure

for the specific load or system. This

pressure is measured between the

outlet connection of the regulator

and the inlet connection of the

meter.


Common Set Pressures

• 7” W.C. (1/4” psig)

• 14: W.C. (1/2 psig) < WPS only

• *2 psig (56” W.C.)

• *5 psig (commercial customers)

* requires additional regulator on

customer piping system


When are they required?

• When meter is newly installed, tested,

or changed (periodic meter change)

• When replacing meter assembly(meter

set)


Inspection

• Inspect general overall condition of

entire meter set

• Inspect discharge vent on outside

regulators

and discharge vent piping from inside

meter sets


Test Procedures

Perform flow, lock-up and leak test

per

company procedures and

manufacturers

requirements.


Remove Meter

Note: This step does not apply to a new

meter installation.

Close riser valve and using a 14” pipe

wrench remove the meter from the meter

connections on your meter set. Discard

meter gaskets.


Flow Testing 1. Select the appropriate test device to use on

your system depending on your

set/delivery

pressure.

2. Attach the test device to the inlet meter

swivel.

Make sure the test device’s valve is closed.

The seal at the meter collar/swivel must be

gas tight, as this will affect the leak test.


Flow Testing 3. SLOWLY open the riser valve to the full open

position.

4. Open the test device’s valve. Adjust the set

pressure per company requirements.

Note: Adjust the regulator clockwise to increase

flow pressure, and adjust counter-clockwise

to decrease flow pressure.


Set Flow Pressure to the following:

• 7” W.C. system: 7” @ 50 SCFH

• 14” W.C. system: 14” @ 50 SCFH

• 2 PSIG system: 2psig (56”) @ 50 SCFH

Note: 50 SCFH = 50,000 BTU/HR


Lock-up Testing

Close the test device’s valve. The riser

valve should still be in the fully opened

position. Continue to observe the test

device for a 3 minute period. The

regulator lock-up pressure should not

exceed your company’s requirements.


Lock-up Pressure should not exceed:

• 7” W.C. system: Lock-up @ 10” W.C.

• 14” W.C. system: Lock-up @ 17” W.C.

• 2 psig system: Lock-up @ 2.3 psig (64’ W.C.)


Meter Assembly Leak TestingShut off the riser valve. While observing the

test device, bleed a small amount of gas at the

test device’s valve until an acceptable pressure

is reached. Observe the test device for at least

1 minute. A drop in pressure indicates leakage

between the test device and the riser valve. An

increase in pressure indicates a leak through

the riser valve.


Acceptable Pressure Reached• 7” W.C. system: pressure should remain

@ 5-6” W.C.

• 14” W.C. system: pressure should remain

@ 9-10” W.C.

• 2 psig system: pressure should remain

@ 30-40” W.C.


Riser Valve Leak Testing

The riser valve must remain closed. Bleed

the remaining gas out of test device until

the test device is zero. Observe the test

device for at least 1 minute. If pressure

stays constant, the riser valve is not

leaking. If the pressure increases, the

riser valve is defective and needs repair

or replacement.


Internal Relief Valve Testing(WPS only)

The riser valve must remain closed. Blow

pressure back into the outlet of the regulator.

Two tests are required on regulators set for 14”

W.C. or less. On the first try, the internal relief

should open at 35” W.C. or less. This is the ‘as

found’ condition. On the second try, the

internal relief should open at 23” W.C. or lower.

This is the ‘as left’ condition.


Restoration of Customer ServiceAfter completion of all tests, replace the old

meter gaskets and reconnect meter to

assembly. Always apply anti-seize compound to

the meter threads prior to connection. Purge air

out of meter prior to making the outlet meter

connection. Tighten meter connections with a

14” pipe wrench and soap test all connections

for possible leakage.


Records Completion

• Complete Regulator & Safety Device

Inspection Record

• Complete Gas Meter Record

Regulator – inspection & testing

Education

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