Question 263Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is B) Amp meter on motor controller leads. Higher than design full load amperage will indicate potential fouling. The reasoning is that if the condenser tubes or inlet tube sheet become fouled, the restriction to water flow will increase, causing the main circulating pump to work harder to maintain the necessary water flow. This increased work load will result in the main circulating pump motor drawing higher than normal electrical current, which can be detected by monitoring the amperage on the motor controller leads. The other answer choices are incorrect because: A) Lower than normal amperage would not indicate fouling, C) Voltage variations are not a reliable indicator of condenser fouling, and D) Visually inspecting the condenser requires shutting down the plant, which may not be necessary if the electrical test in B) is performed.