Many low-pressure package boilers use tubular glass gages as a means for monitoring level on their Low Water Cut Off/Pump Controllers. These boilers typically operate below 250 WSP (working steam pressure). It's a common setup — but tubular glass carries a risk that's often overlooked: it's susceptible to chipping or breaking, and as a result can be potentially unsafe even in these low-pressure steam applications. Why Low-Pressure Doesn't Mean Low-Risk There's a natural assum

We recently shipped eight Style 5300 Obround Sight Windows to an engineering company in California. These windows are a common specification for engineering firms designing custom process vessels and tanks that need reliable, code-compliant visual access. What Are Obround Sight Windows? Obround refers to the window's shape — an elongated oval, essentially a rectangle with rounded ends. This shape provides a wider field of view than a standard round sight window of comparable

According to The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, boiler controls account for the highest percentage of total documented boiler and pressure-vessel-inspection violations. The reasons are varied — neglect, improper maintenance procedures, isolation or elimination of necessary code-required instruments and accessories, and unauthorized piping modifications all contribute. Reliance Boiler Trim Product Manager Jim Kolbus addressed this exact problem in a p

We recently performed a boiler walkdown at a power plant in the Caribbean. After surveying the facility's HRSGs, we observed that many of the gages were neglected or out of service. Following discussions with plant personnel, they saw clear value in replacing their old gages — especially the bicolor gage located at the HP drum — with Simpliport® 180 Bi-Color Ported Water Gage Glasses. Understanding HRSG Drum Configuration The HP (high-pressure) drum is the primary drum in an

One of our Jerguson® Armored Level Glass Gages is in service on a separator at a plant in Southern California where lithium recovery is being evaluated. As industries — the auto industry in particular — continue to shift toward electrification, demand for domestically produced lithium is growing, and geothermal brine recovery is one of the pathways being developed to meet it. Why Lithium Recovery Needs Level Instrumentation Lithium extraction from geothermal brine involves se

Our own Reliance Boiler Trim Product Manager, Jim Kolbus, published an article on this exact topic in the April edition of Today's Boiler, the American Boiler Manufacturers Association's publication. The subject deserves the attention: using and maintaining the water-level instrumentation on your boiler is of vital importance for the safety of your plant personnel and the longevity of your equipment. Why Drum Level Instrumentation Deserves Ongoing Attention The ASME Boiler an

There's one thing that's never a joke: the safety of plants, equipment, and plant personnel. Clark-Reliance offers a range of products that protect a plant's most critical assets, and one of the most effective is the Jerguson® SafeView™ Shield. What SafeView Shields Protect Against SafeView Shields protect operators from potential flat glass gage high-pressure leaks. Although armored glass liquid level gages are extremely reliable, leaks can still occur due to deferred mainte

We recently shipped six Reliance Probe Type Water Columns to a plant in Colombia. Each water column plays a critical role in that facility's boiler level instrumentation — here's what these components do and why they matter. What Is a Water Column? A water column is a vertical vessel mounted external to the boiler, connected to the steam drum via piping. Rather than sensing level itself, it serves as a stable mounting platform where gage glasses, switches, and alarm devices c

When a facility can't easily compare its direct-reading gage glass to its electronic transmitter, it creates a dangerous blind spot. A paper mill in South America ran into exactly this problem on a high-pressure boiler — and the fix reveals a common but under-discussed issue in boiler instrumentation. The Problem: No Reliable Way to Cross-Check Readings The mill's boiler operates at 1,400 PSI — a demanding, high-pressure application where accurate level indication is critical

Not all level indication challenges involve standard-sized vessels. Some applications — tall distillation columns, large storage tanks, extended process vessels — require level indicators that can span significant heights while maintaining accuracy and reliability across the entire range. A 20-foot Jerguson® Magnicator® shipped to a California plant illustrates how magnetic level indication scales to meet these demanding applications. Why Tall Vessels Need Specialized Level I

When it comes to viewing your boiler water level, you want to be able to see the level at any angle, any distance!

Sight flow indicators are often installed in critical process lines where a leak or failure isn't just inconvenient — it can be hazardous. That's why every Jacoby-Tarbox Sight Flow Indicator undergoes hydrotesting before it ever leaves the factory. Here's what that testing involves and why it matters. Why Hydrotest Sight Flow Indicators? A common question from customers: "What leak testing is done on Sight Flow Indicators before they're shipped?" The answer: every Jacoby-Tarb

This video discusses what Mica is and its importance of extending the service life of armored glass level gage.

Direct & Indirect Level Indicators - Subsection PG-60 Section I of the ASME Code

All 360 Valves now include a color indicator ring as standard. The high visibility of this ring will confirm your valve status from a glance

You can retrofit your level switch without the hassle of new piping.

Jerguson Non-Frost Extension keeps frost from covering the window and maintains clear visibility at all times.

The consequences of a restricted water feed pipe to a primary or secondary low-water device can have devastating results.

If specified and installed properly, and the indicator is maintained, there is no expectation of end-life for Jerguson Magnicators.

We hydrotest all Reliance Products that are subject to pressure at 1.5 times the specified design pressure for the specific item.