Bradford-White Corp U130T*FRN, Eco Defender warranty Introduction, How the Safety System Works

INTRODUCTION

The Bradford White ECO-DEFENDER Safety System R The Bradford White ECO-DEFENDER Safety System was designed to resist the ignition of flammable vapors that can occur outside of the water heater. In addition, the ECO-DEFENDER Safety System is designed to meet the stringent NOx emissions standards required in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1121. Use and installation are nearly identical to previous versions of atmospherically fired and vented water heaters. A number of exclusive design features are incorporated in the system that will require additional knowledge on the part of the qualified service provider. The following information will instruct service professionals on the function, proper diagnosis and repair of water heaters employing the Bradford White ECO-DEFENDER Safety System.R

How the Safety System Works

During normal operation, most air for combustion is drawn into the water heater through the openings in the jacket door. This air travels into the burner venturi, mixing with the gas jet. This air is then mixed with gas inside the burner and drawn to the burner screen and is efficiently combusted producing Ultra Low NOx emissions. Additional air is drawn through the openings in the jacket. This air travels down and around the combustion chamber and enters through holes in the bottom of the corrosion-resistant combustion chamber. The air then travels up through the oriented flame arrestor plate louvers, where the velocity of the air is increased and its direction altered. The air then mixes in a normal manner with the combustion products from the burner.

In the case where trace amounts of flammable vapors are present in the air flowing into the combustion chamber and burner venturi, the vapors are harmlessly ignited by the burner / pilot flame. If flammable vapors are in sufficient quantity to prevent normal combustion, the burner and pilot flames are designed to shut down.

Should the flammable vapors continue to the burner, the flame arrestor plate and burner screen prevent the flames from traveling backwards and igniting vapors outside of the combustion chamber. This causes the thermopile to overheat and shuts down the main pilot and burner. The thermopile powers the intelligent diagnostic control which is capable of recognizing restricted airflow conditions caused by severe lint, dust and oil accumulation on the burner screen and arrestor plate. The intelligent diagnostic control will deactivate the burner and pilot in the unlikely event of restricted airflow.

Page 3

3