Is That High-Pressure Clamp Necessary?

High-pressure clamps are not necessarily designed for high-pressure lines.

The clamp manufacturer currently determines safety ratings for clamps. Typically, the manufacturer will publish a chart of guidelines for maximum safe product pressure. These ratings are temperature-specific—the higher the product temperature, the lower the safe maximum pressure. However, connections rarely, if ever, fail at the clamp.

Operator safety is the most common reason to use high-pressure clamps. High-pressure clamps require a wrench for disassembly, and although this is a disadvantage during assembly, it could prevent an accident. High-pressure clamps are also less likely to loosen over time than a wingnut clamp. Any joint where opening the line could be hazardous is a candidate for these clamps—whether it’s steam, hot liquid, a hazardous chemical, or a pressurized line. High-pressure clamps can be a great option for making a more secure connection or when pressures exceed a hinged clamp’s rating.

While reasons for using high-pressure clamps are valid, these reasons usually don’t apply to every clamp connection in a plant. Despite this, some companies spec high-pressure clamps for everything. Some companies use high-pressure clamps to prevent over-tightening, however, there are a number of clamps on the market that do a better job of controlling the compression of gaskets. Poorly cast wingnut clamps, or even gasket problems, could cause an engineer to swear off a wingnut clamp for good. However, the extra costs of a high-pressure clamp add up, including the cost of the clamp itself, and the extra time and hassle every time it is removed or installed.

High-pressure clamps can be good for creating a more secure connection, but they’re not always the best option. A careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of high-pressure clamps could save a lot of time and money.