AbsolutAire 143-80 Installation Manual

Sensus Metering Systems

RM-1301 R7

Model 143-80 Service Regulator

Installation and
Maintenance
Instructions

The Model 143-80 is an excellent general purpose gas

pressure regulator. It can be used for natural gas, air, CO
used for gas services to homes, commercial establishments and small industries, for burners, unit heaters,
boilers, and other equipment. Model 143-80-1 is a standard regulator. The Model 143-80-2 includes an internal
relief valve. The 143-80-2 is also available with a low pressure cut-off, designated as the model 143-80-6.

, propane, butane, nitrogen, and other gases. It can be

2

THE GAS INDUSTRY

Installation and Start-Up

1. Remove the shipping plugs from both the regulator inlet and

outlet connections.

2. Make certain that the inside of the piping and the regulator

inlet and outlet connections are clean. The connections must
be free of dirt, dope and other debris.

3. Use pipe joint material only on the male threads of the pipe

being connected to the regulator. Do not use pipe joint
material on the female threads of the regulator.

4. Install the regulator in the piping. Make certain that the gas

flow through the regulator is in the direction as indicated by
the arrow on the regulator body.

The regulators may be installed in any position: right side up,
upside down, vertical piping, diagonal piping, etc., If required,
the diaphragm case may be rotated 360° in any angle
increment. To rotate the 143-80 diaphragm case, loosen the
coupling nut (12) and reposition the diaphragm case to
the desired position. Retighten the coupling nut (12) to
reseal the regulator.

The diaphragm case vent (11) should be positioned to
minimize the chances of moisture collecting on the vent side
of the diaphragm.

The diaphragm case vent must be positioned to protect
against flooding, rain, ice formation, traffic, tampering, etc.
The vent must be protected against nest building animals,
bees, insects, etc. to prevent vent blockage and minimize the
chances for foreign material from collecting in the vent side of
the regulator diaphragm. If required, the upper diaphragm
case (4) may be rotated by removing the upper-to-lower case
flange screws (10) and rotating the upper diaphragm case to
the desired position. Reinstall the diaphragm flange screws
and tighten to hold the diaphragm case in position and reseal.

CAUTION:

Turn the gas on very slowly. If an outlet stop is used, it should be
opened first. Do not overload the diaphragm with a sudden surge
of inlet pressure. Monitor the outlet pressure during start-up to
prevent an outlet pressure overload.

5. Turn the gas on very slowly.

6. For the Model 143-80-6 Low Pressure Cut-off, remove cap (1)

and pull up the diaphragm post to reset the LPCO valve.

7. Make certain that there are no leaks and that all connections

are tight.

8. Adjust outlet pressure (set point) by removing cap (1) and

turning adjustment spring button (2). Turn clockwise to
increase and counter-clockwise to decrease outlet pressure.
Only adjust when gas is flowing through regulator. Be sure to
reinstall cap.

CAUTION:

It is the user's responsibility to assure that all regulator vents
and/or vent lines exhaust to a non-hazardous location away from
ANY POTENTIAL sources of ignition. Where vent lines are used,
it is the user's responsibility to assure that each regulator is
individually vented and that common vent lines ARE NOT used.

9. The vent connection is an escape path for the regulated gas.

Depending upon the type of gas, it could be flammable as with
natural gas and propane. Therefore, the vent connection needs
to be located and/or piped so that potential discharge occurs
in a safe area away from buildings, open flames, collection
areas, arcing devices, etc.

Regulators that are installed indoors or in a non-vented area
must be vented to the outside. Run vent piping from the
regulator vent connection to a non-hazardous location on the
outside away from any potential sources of ignition.

For regulators equipped with internal relief valves (IRV),
Models 143-80-2, 143-80-2HP and 143-80-6, the vent piping
must be vent connection size or larger and its length be as
short and direct as possible to a safe area. This is to assure
the venting of the internal relief valve discharge to the
atmosphere without excessive pressure increase in the
regulator and downstream piping.

Continued on back.

1

2

11

8 9 5

7

6

12

10

4

3

The outlet of the vent piping must allow for free and
unobstructed passage of air and gas and must be protected

Continued on back.

against the potentials listed in instructions #4, #8 and #9.

10. For outdoor installations, it is recommended that the regulator

be installed so that the regulator vent faces downward to avoid

the potential for water and other foreign matter entering the

regulator and interfering with the proper operation of the
regulator.

CAUTION:

Regulators are pressure control devices with numerous moving
parts subject to wear that is independent upon particular operating
conditions. To assure continuous satisfactory operation, a periodic
inspection schedule must be adhered with the frequency of
inspection determined by the severity of service and applicable
laws and regulations

Servicing

1. To access valve (7), orifice (6), or diaphragm assembly (8),

first remove spring compression by unscrewing the spring cap
(1) and spring adjustment ferrule (2). Remove spring (3) from
regulator.

2. For access to the valve (7) and orifice (6), completely loosen

the coupling nut (12) and remove diaphragm case assembly
from body (5).

3. To replace Buna-Nitrile valve pad (7), simply pull off of valve

stem (9) and replace with new pad.

4. To replace orifice (6), unscrew from body using a 1" hex

socket wrench “thin-wall” type. Apply sealant on threads of
orifice when installing replacement orifice. Re-screwing
replacement orifice must be installed at 50-60 ft-lbs. of torque.

5. To replace diaphragm assembly, remove flange screws (10)

and disassemble diaphragm assembly. Make certain all parts
are reassembled in their correct order and all threads and
joints are tightened evenly and firmly.

6. Before reassembling body to diaphragm case, make certain

that the o-ring is in position.

Over Pressurization Protection

Protection must be provided for the downstream piping system
and the regulator's low pressure chambers to assure against
the potential for over pressurization due to a regulator malfunction
or a failure of the regulator to lock up. The allowable over­pressurization is the lowest of the maximum pressures permitted
by federal codes, state codes, Sensus Bulletin RDS-1498,
or other applicable standards. The methods of providing over­pressure protection could be a relief valve, a monitor regulator,
a shut-off valve or similar device.

Buried Service

The Model 143-80 regulator is not recommended for buried
service.

Temperature Limits

The Model 143-80 regulator can be used for the flowing
temperature of -20°F to 150°F (-28.9°C to 65.5°C).

Maximum Emergency Pressures

The maximum pressure the regulator inlet may be subjected under
abnormal conditions without causing damage to the regulator is:
Maximum Inlet Pressure plus 50 psi. For the Low Pressure
Cut-off version, Model 143-80-6 it is Maximum Inlet Pressure
plus 10 psi.

The maximum pressure to which the regulators case may be
subjected under abnormal conditions without causing damage
to the internal parts is: Set point plus 3 psi. If the outlet pressure
exceeds this pressure, the regulator must be removed from service
and carefully inspected. Damaged or otherwise unsatisfactory
parts must be replaced before returning the regulator to service.

The maximum outlet pressure that can be safely contained in
the diaphragm case is 10 psi (safely contained means no leakage
as well as no bursting.)

805 Liberty Boulevard
DuBois, PA 15801
800-375-8875
Fax: [phone]

www.sensus.com
(open “North America Gas”)

© Sensus Metering Systems 2006 Made in USA

(See Sensus Bulletin TD-1301-LB for
143-80-6 Low Pressure Cut-off Diagram)

09-06-Becken-50M