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Determining Natural Gas Flow in Gas Appliances

To determine the input of the appliance you first need to adjust the manifold pressure and than clock the meter to determine the input. You are never allowed to be over 100% of the input rate. The gas pressure on atmospheric burners also known as ribbon burners sets up a venturi effect that brings in the proper amount of air for the fuel to aid in good combustion. The actual input rate is determined by clocking the meter for natural gas.

Turn off all gas burning appliances including pilot flames. Get a demand on the gas appliance and allow the unit to go to main burners. Choose a scale on the gas meter and time it for one revolution. Choose the flow rate from the chart below. This chart is showing a two cubic feet and 5 cubic feet scale.

Let's assume we choose to test the 2 cubic ft scale o the meter and one revolution takes 90 seconds.

We follow the seconds column until we find 90 seconds and read right to the scale we measured which in this example is 2 cu ft. The flow rate is 80. Multiply 80 x the btu of the natural gas. In my area the btu content is 1050 but varied tremendously across the nation. Call your local gas utility for your btu content.

80 x 1040 = 83,200 input. If that is not over your rated input and within 2% of the rated input you are good. If the input is above 100% than reduce the gas pressure but not more than 0.3" w.c. If you are less than 98% of rated input increase the manifold gas pressure by not more than 0.3" w.c. If these adjustment do not get you between 98% and 100% input contact the manufacturer to determine how to get within the input range.

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