Spring Washers on Transparent & Reflex Glass Gages: Maintaining Proper Torque Over Time
- Aug 8, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Spring washers are a small but important component in Jerguson transparent and reflex glass gage assemblies. Installed between the nut and the bolt, their contoured shape adds tension to the bolt when installed — and that added tension solves a specific, common maintenance problem: gaskets losing proper seal over time.
Why Bolt Tension Matters on a Glass Gage
A glass gage assembly relies on properly torqued bolts to maintain even, consistent pressure on the gasket surrounding the glass. This pressure is what keeps the assembly sealed against process pressure and prevents leaks.
The Problem: Torque Loss Over Time
Gaskets aren't static — they compress slightly under load and can relax further through thermal cycling as the gage heats and cools with process conditions. As the gasket settles, bolt tension can decrease even though nothing has failed. If bolt tension drops below the level needed to maintain a proper seal, the gage becomes vulnerable to weeping or leaking at the connection.
How Spring Washers Solve This
A standard flat washer provides no compensation for this settling — once the gasket relaxes, tension is simply lost. A spring washer's contoured, curved shape acts differently: it continues applying tension as it flattens slightly under load, compensating for gasket settling and maintaining proper torque for a longer period of time than a flat washer alone.
When Spring Washers Are Especially Valuable
Spring washers are highly recommended when the gage is hard to get to. This includes situations where:
The gage is insulated, making the bolted connection difficult to access without removing insulation first
The gage is on a platform or elevated location, making visual inspection and manual retorquing inconvenient
The gage is in a location that's hard to access regularly, whether due to physical layout, safety zone restrictions, or scheduling constraints around shutdowns
In these cases, spring washers increase reliability and extend the time between duty cycles — meaning the interval between required retorquing or maintenance visits can be longer than it would be with standard flat washers, since the spring washer is actively compensating for gasket settling in the meantime.
Why This Matters for Facilities with Limited Access Windows
Many facilities only have access to certain gage locations during scheduled outages or shutdowns — not something that can be done on a routine basis while the unit is in service. For these applications, a component that extends the interval between required maintenance interventions has real practical value: it reduces the chance of a gage needing attention between scheduled maintenance windows, when addressing it might mean an unplanned shutdown or a difficult access situation.
Spring Washers vs. Standard Flat Washers
Aspect | Standard Flat Washer | Spring Washer |
Compensates for gasket settling | No | Yes |
Maintains tension over time | Tension drops as gasket relaxes | Contoured shape continues applying tension |
Best for | Easily accessible gages with frequent inspection | Hard-to-access, insulated, or elevated gages |
Maintenance interval impact | Requires more frequent retorquing | Extends time between required maintenance |
Installation Considerations
Spring washers install in the same basic position as standard washers — between the nut and the bolt — so incorporating them into a gage assembly doesn't require a different assembly procedure. The key consideration is orientation: spring washers must be installed with the correct curve direction to function as intended, so following the manufacturer's assembly guidance during installation or gasket replacement matters.
Applications
Spring washers are relevant wherever transparent or reflex glass gages are installed in locations with limited access:
Power Generation: Insulated boiler gages, elevated platform installations
Refining & Chemical Processing: Gages in restricted-access process areas
Any Facility with Scheduled-Outage-Only Access: Where extending maintenance intervals reduces the chance of needing unplanned access
Learn More
For guidance on whether spring washers are appropriate for your specific gage installation, or for assembly and torque specifications, contact Clark-Reliance's Jerguson technical team.
📧 sales@clark-reliance.com📞 +1 (440) 572-1500
