Installation Requirements; Gas Supply Systems; Supply Gas Regulator; Power Supply - AO Smith BTR120 Manuel D'instructions

GAS SUPPLY SYSTEMS

Low pressure building gas supply systems are defined as those
systems that cannot under any circumstances exceed 14"
W.C. (1/2 PSI Gauge). These systems do not require pressure
regulation. Measurements should be taken to insure that gas
pressures are stable and fall within the requirements stated on
the water heater rating plate. Readings should be taken with
all gas burning equipment off (static pressure) and with all gas
burning equipment running at maximum rate (dynamic pressure).
The gas supply pressure must be stable within 1.5" W.C.
from static to dynamic pressure to provide good performance.
Pressure drops that exceed 1.5" W.C. may cause rough starting,
noisy combustion or nuisance outages. Increases or spikes
in static pressure during off cycles may cause failure to ignite
or in severe cases damage to appliance gas valves. If your
low pressure system does NOT meet these requirements, the
installer is responsible for the corrections.
High Pressure building supply systems use pressures that
exceed 14" W.C. (1/2 PSI Gauge). These systems must use field
supplied regulators to lower the gas pressure to less than 14"
W.C. (1/2 PSI Gauge). Water heaters require gas regulators that
are properly sized for the water heater input and deliver the rating
plate specified pressures. Gas supply systems where pressure
exceeds 5 PSI often require multiple regulators to achieve desired
pressures. Systems in excess of 5 PSI building pressure should
be designed by gas delivery professionals for best performance.
Water heaters connected to gas supply systems that exceed 14"
W.C. (1/2 PSI Gauge) at any time must be equipped with a gas
supply regulator.
All models require a minimum gas supply pressure of 4.5" W.C. for
natural gas and 11.0" W.C. for propane gas. The minimum supply
pressure is measured while gas is flowing (dynamic pressure).
The supply pressure should never fall below 4.5" W.C. for natural
gas and 11.0" W.C. for propane gas. The supply pressure should
be measured with all gas fired appliances connected to the
common main firing at full capacity. If the supply pressure drops
more than 1.5" W.C. as gas begins to flow to the water heater
then the supply gas system including the gas line and/or the
gas regulator may be restricted or undersized. See Supply Gas
Regulator section and Gas Piping section of this manual. The gas
valve on all models has a maximum gas supply pressure limit of
14" W.C. The maximum supply pressure is measured while gas is
not flowing (static pressure).

SUPPLY GAS REGULATOR

The maximum allowable gas supply pressure for this water heater
is 14 inches W.C. (3.48 kPa). Install a positive lock-up gas pressure
regulator in the gas supply line if inlet gas pressure can exceed 14
inches W.C. (3.48 kPa) at any time. Regulators must be sized/used
according to manufacturer's specifications.
If a positive lock-up regulator is required follow these instructions:
1. Positive lock-up gas pressure regulators must be rated at or above
the input Btu/hr rating of the water heater they supply.
2. Positive lock-up gas pressure regulator(s) should be installed no closer
than 3 equivalent feet (1 meter) and no farther than 8 equivalent
feet (2.4 meters) from water heater's inlet gas connection.
3. After installing the positive lock-up gas pressure regulator(s) an
initial nominal supply pressure setting of 7.0" W.C. while the water
heater is operating is recommended and will generally provide good
water heater operation. Some addition adjustment maybe required
later to maintain a steady gas supply pressure.

INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

4. When installing multiple water heaters in the same gas supply
system it is recommended that individual positive lock-up gas
pressure regulators be installed at each unit.

POWER SUPPLY

The water heaters covered in this manual require a 120 VAC,
1Ø (single phase), 60Hz, 15 amp power supply and must also
be electrically grounded in accordance with local codes or, in the
absence of local codes, with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/
NFPA 70 or the Canadian Electrical Code, CSA C22.1.

WATER TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND MIXING VALVES

Water heated to a temperature which will satisfy clothes washing, dish
washing, and other sanitizing needs can scald and cause permanent
injury upon contact. Short repeated heating cycles caused by small
hot water uses can cause temperatures at the point of use to exceed
the water heater's temperature setting by up to 20°F (11°C).
Some people are more likely to be permanently injured by hot water
than others. These include the elderly, children, the infirm and the
physically/mentally disabled. Table 6 shows approximate time-to-burn
relationship for normal adult skin. If anyone using hot water provided
by the water heater being installed fits into one of these groups or if
there is a local code or state law requiring a certain water temperature
at the point of use, then special precautions must be taken.
In addition to using the lowest possible temperature setting that
satisfies the demand of the application a Mixing Valve should be
installed at the water heater (see Figure 10) or at the hot water taps
to further reduce system water temperature.
Mixing valves are available at plumbing supply stores. Consult a
Qualified Installer or Service Agency. Follow mixing valve manufacturer's
instructions for installation of the valves.
Time for 1st Degree Burn
Water Temperature °F
(Less Severe Burns)
110 (normal shower temp.)
116 (pain threshold)
116
122
131
140
149
154
(U.S. Government Memorandum, C.P.S.C., Peter L. Armstrong, Sept. 15,1978)
13
Water temperature over 125°F (52°C)
can cause severe burns instantly
resulting in severe injury or death.
Children, the elderly and the
physically or mentally disabled are at
highest risk for scald injury.
Feel water before bathing or showering.
Temperature limiting devices such as
mixing valves must be installed
when required by codes and to
ensure safe temperatures at fixtures.
TABLE 6.
Time for Permanent Burns
2nd & 3rd Degree
(Most Severe Burns)
35 minutes 45 minutes
1 minute 5 minutes
5 seconds 25 seconds
2 seconds 5 seconds
1 second 2 seconds
instantaneous 1 second