New York Low Pressure Boiler Certificate of Fitness (COF) Practice Test

What type of control is a pressure control in a steam boiler?

1. Circuit control

2. Operating limit control

3. Safety interlock

4. Flow control

The correct answer is: Operating limit control

A pressure control in a steam boiler is classified as an operating limit control. This type of control is essential for the safe operation of the boiler, as it ensures that the pressure within the boiler does not exceed predetermined safe limits. Operating limit controls function by automatically shutting off fuel supply or providing alarms if the pressure readings approach or exceed these limits, thereby preventing hazardous conditions that could lead to equipment failure or accidents. Operating limit controls are specifically designed to activate under specific operational scenarios, making them critical for maintaining the safe operational parameters of the steam boiler. In contrast, other types of controls, such as circuit control or flow control, serve different purposes, like managing the flow of water or regulating the operation of various components in a boiler system, but they do not focus primarily on monitoring and maintaining pressure levels. Safety interlocks, while also important, primarily serve to prevent operation under unsafe conditions but do not actively regulate pressure levels like operating limit controls.