Before hooking up a hydraulic generator, what environmental condition must you check?

Before hooking up a hydraulic generator, what environmental condition must you check?

• A. High ambient temperature and low relative humidity
• B. Low ambient temperature and high relative humidity may cause ice in pneumatic system and render air driven pump inoperable
• C. Moderate ambient temperature and humidity
• D. Any combination of ambient conditions is acceptable

Answer: (B)

Ice formation in the pneumatic system is the critical risk when hooking up a hydraulic generator. The air-driven hydraulic pump relies on dry, clean air, so if the environment is cold and humid, moisture in the air can condense and freeze in the pneumatic lines. That ice can obstruct flow and render the air-driven pump inoperable. Therefore, the condition to check is low ambient temperature with high relative humidity, since that combination creates the icing hazard. Warmer or drier conditions reduce the risk, while any scenario involving cold air with moisture can cause the pump to fail to operate.

Ice formation in the pneumatic system is the critical risk when hooking up a hydraulic generator. The air-driven hydraulic pump relies on dry, clean air, so if the environment is cold and humid, moisture in the air can condense and freeze in the pneumatic lines. That ice can obstruct flow and render the air-driven pump inoperable. Therefore, the condition to check is low ambient temperature with high relative humidity, since that combination creates the icing hazard. Warmer or drier conditions reduce the risk, while any scenario involving cold air with moisture can cause the pump to fail to operate.