Therm-Omega-Tech has introduced a new freeze protection valve for passenger cars called PC/FP. For more than 20 years, the company’s best-in-class self-actuated valves for locomotives have protected billions of dollars of rail equipment. That technology and design has now been applied to address the expensive and dangerous problem of freezing in passenger cars.
The PC/FP passenger car freeze protection valve opens as ambient temperature around the valve approaches freezing, draining the water-bearing systems and preventing freeze damage. Freezing conditions which put water tanks and piping at risk for freeze damage occur when the car heat is turned off, which can occur when the cars are being switched to different locomotives or during brief layover periods when the car is without power.
The PC/FP passenger car freeze protection valve opens as ambient temperature around the valve approaches freezing, draining the water-bearing systems and preventing freeze damage. Freezing conditions which put water tanks and piping at risk for freeze damage occur when the car heat is turned off, which can occur when the cars are being switched to different locomotives or during brief layover periods when the car is without power.
Key features of the PC/FP valve include: no power or air required, self-operating valve, and inline serviceability. Therm-Omega-Tech’s PC/FP valve is also available with an optional heater that can be installed over the thermal actuator to allow the valve to heat up and close quickly.
If the valve has activated and drained water out of tanks and piping, the heater installed on the valve’s actuator will close the valve within several minutes after car heat is turned on. This allows refilling of the water system and getting the passenger car back into service as quickly as possible.
