Talman Tank & EquipmentCo......Newsletter

NEWSLETTER

PART I

By Mark Adams - Talman Tank & Equipment Co.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE OF OVERFILL PREVENTION EQUIPMENT, THE SOCKET.

This article is the first of a four-part series addressing the preventative maintenance of overfill prevention equipment commonly installed on petroleum trailers including the socket, probe, on board compatibility module, and ground verification. The integrity of this overfill prevention equipment is key to loading successfully at the terminal. Both the trailer and loading rack overfill prevention systems are designed to shut down the loading process in the event that a probe becomes wet or if there is a fault detected in the system. Many of these faults are caused by poor preventative maintenance.

Because of the sensitivity of the overfill prevention systems, drivers may experience interruptions during loading or the inability to load at all if the equipment is not properly maintained. They will often report that they "couldn't get a green light" or "the light went back and forth from green to red." The overfill prevention equipment is exposed to all types of environmental conditions and other factors that may contribute to these problems, therefore, it is important that this equipment is inspected whenever the trailer is shut down for regular preventative maintenance. The driver can also perform some of this preventative maintenance during the pre-trip inspection.

One of the critical components of the overfill prevention equipment is the socket. This is where the driver connects the plug from the overfill prevention monitor at the loading rack to the trailer. If the contact faceplate of the socket is covered with grease and dirt or it is worn, it will not allow a proper signal to be communicated from the loading rack to the trailer's system. If the socket is opened and inspected and there is corrosion or shorted or loose wiring this will prevent the probes from functioning properly.

The j-slots on the socket are where the plug is aligned and then slightly turned so that the pins are pushed against the proper contacts and there is a tight fit. Over time, these j-slots will wear down and become oversized. The plug to socket connection will be loose and not align properly. If the driver accidentally bumps into this connection, this may interfere with the communication and stop the loading process. Some drivers may be seen holding the plug in a certain position to make better contact.

Moisture may also get into the socket from intense water pressure when the trailer is pressure washed or from heavy road moisture, especially if the gasket that goes between the faceplate and housing is no good. There is a drain screw and hole that should be inspected for proper orientation and cleanliness. This will help the moisture escape and prevent shorted wiring and eventual corrosion.

The following steps are recommended as part of the regular trailer preventative maintenance program to insure the integrity of the socket:

ˇ The contacts on the faceplate should be bright and shiny and free from all types of debris. The driver should clean the contact prior to connecting. Socket caps should be used whenever the socket is not being used.

ˇ The gasket that goes between the faceplate and the housing should be inspected and replaced if it is cracked or broken.

ˇ The drain screw should be attached in the top of the socket housing. The drain hole should be located at the bottom. It should be cleaned of any debris to allow moisture to drain from the socket and not build up inside. The end of a paper clip can be used to clean it out.

ˇ The j-slots will eventually wear down from constant use, however, the application of non-conductive grease will help cut this down and make it easier to connect and disconnect the plug.

ˇ The inside of the socket should be inspected for corrosion. It can be scraped off and cleaned with a cloth with some transmission fluid on it.

ˇ Any loose or exposed wiring inside the socket should be reinserted. Broken or corroded wiring should be cut down to the good wiring and then reinserted.

ˇ There are compression fittings on the outside of the socket where the wiring enters the socket. Make sure that they are tight. Use silicone around the outside of the fitting to keep moisture out.

ˇ Any unused sockets should be disconnected from the overfill prevention system. Sometimes this lack of use and maintenance can interfere with the integrity of the rest of the system and impede the signals.

By implementing these steps, there will be a noticeable reduction of downtime and maintenance costs because of socket related failures at the loading rack. The socket will also last longer, however, it should still be replaced after normal wear and tear has taken its toll. The next part of this series will address preventative maintenance of the probes, another key component of the overfill prevention system. Please call Mark A. Adams at (877) 965-3040 for questions or comments.