When pressure constantly fluctuates above and below the desired setpoint, the regulator may be experiencing hunting. This phenomenon affects combustion and can cause trips.
What is hunting?
The regulator over-corrects the pressure, resulting in continuous oscillation instead of stable regulation.
Potential causes
Incorrect sizing, pilot issues, a clogged impulse line, sudden load changes, or poor calibration can cause instability.
Impulse line check
The sensing line must be clear, free of kinks, leaks, or unwanted condensates.
Load correlation
Pressure is recorded alongside burner load. If the oscillation begins only in a specific range, this data assists in the diagnosis.
Multiple consumers
The start-up or shutdown of another large consumer can cause a sudden change in flow and temporarily destabilize the network.
Troubleshooting
The solution must be based on measurements and the regulator's specifications. Randomly changing setpoints can worsen the situation.
