Which device senses the hotwell level and controls the feed pump accordingly?

Which device senses the hotwell level and controls the feed pump accordingly?

• A. Float Switch
• B. Pressure Gauge
• C. Thermometer
• D. Valves

Answer: (A)

Maintaining the condensate level in the hotwell relies on sensing the actual liquid level and using that signal to start or stop the feed pump. A float switch sits inside the hotwell and changes its circuit as the liquid level moves: when the level drops to the set point, the switch closes and powers the feed pump; when the level rises to the upper limit, the switch opens and the pump stops. This direct level sensing and automatic control is why a float switch is the right choice for coordinating the feed pump with hotwell level. A pressure gauge tells you how pressurized the system is, not how full the vessel is, so it can’t autonomously control the pump based on level. A thermometer measures temperature, not level. Valves regulate flow but don’t sense level or decide when to run the pump unless driven by another control signal. So the float switch provides the necessary level sensing to control the feed pump.

Maintaining the condensate level in the hotwell relies on sensing the actual liquid level and using that signal to start or stop the feed pump. A float switch sits inside the hotwell and changes its circuit as the liquid level moves: when the level drops to the set point, the switch closes and powers the feed pump; when the level rises to the upper limit, the switch opens and the pump stops. This direct level sensing and automatic control is why a float switch is the right choice for coordinating the feed pump with hotwell level.

A pressure gauge tells you how pressurized the system is, not how full the vessel is, so it can’t autonomously control the pump based on level. A thermometer measures temperature, not level. Valves regulate flow but don’t sense level or decide when to run the pump unless driven by another control signal. So the float switch provides the necessary level sensing to control the feed pump.