Using the Insertion Rod in the Testing Environment

 

The insertion rod is now ready to be placed in the testing atmosphere. Since the testing atmosphere will be extremely hot, placement in the testing atmosphere is usually accomplished by extending the insertion rod through an access port in the furnace.

 

WARNING!   Use ANSI-approved eye protection at all times when working with the insertion rod in a plant or other testing environment. Take any additional precautions necessary to lower the risk of injury in the environment in which you are working.

 

With the wire coil in place on the insertion rod, place the insertion rod through an access port or other designated conduit. Begin hand-tightening the threaded port connector by turning the connector clockwise. See Figure 10.

 

Figure 10 - Placing insertion rod in access port and tightening threaded port connector

Using a wrench, turn the port connector clockwise to finish tightening it (Figure 11). Take care not to overtighten the connector.

Figure 11 - Tightening port connector with wrench

Push the insertion rod until the wire coil is present in the testing atmosphere. The wire must now soak in the atmosphere; the amount of time to soak the wire is based on the temperature in the testing atmosphere. Table 2 shows the appropriate soak times.

 

 

Temperature in Testing Atmosphere	Soak Time
1575°F and higher	30 minutes
1574°F and below	40 minutes

Table 2 - Soak times based on temperature in testing atmosphere

NOTICE!   Exceeding indicated soak times by more than 5 minutes may result in adverse effects on carbon potential readings when the wire coil is tested with the CAT-100.