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W.H. Nicholson & Company
Circa 1883

WHY NICHOLSON THERMOSTATIC STEAM TRAPS?

The success and strength of Nicholson Steam Trap comes from our understanding and development of thermostatic steam trap technology. W.H. Nicholson was the first to introduce balanced thermostatic steam trap technology back in the 1930’s. Since that time, Nicholson has grown to become the leader in thermostatic technology; offering a wider variety of bellows designs coupled with the largest selection of body styles and options available. We also have the industry’s most knowledgeable staff of Application Engineers available to help you select the right steam trap or design and pipe a steam system for any application.
Thermostatic steam traps are a good choice for main drip, steam tracing and process applications. Some of the outstanding operation and performance features of this technology are as follows:

  • BELLOWS CONSTANTLY SENSES CHANGING CONDITIONS
    The balanced pressure bellows design is constantly sensing changing conditions and cycles according to those conditions. So when the condensate load changes, the pressure changes, or air is sensed in the system, the bellows immediately cycles to adjust to the change.

  • ENERGY EFFICIENT
    The thermostatic bellows are filled with an alcohol and water mixture. The liquid in the bellows is engineered to follow the steam pressure/temperature curve 5-10 degrees below saturation. This means that the trap is cycled closed before steam is allowed into the body of the trap. It backs up a few inches of condensate, but this feature makes it one of the most efficient and fast acting designs on the market today.
  • LAPPED VALVE AND SEAT
    Thermostatic steam traps utilize a cone design. The valve is lapped to the seat in the trap. This high quality seal insuresthat the trap will remain closed while steam condenses and will not leak through.
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Models N300 and N650
Thermostatic Steam Trap
  • FAIL OPEN DESIGN
    All steam traps fail over time. Nicholson uses a welded bellows design, which is very rugged and designed to fail open.
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Model UMT45 Universal Mount
Thermostatic Steam Trap
  • VERSATILE
    Thermostatic traps can be installed in any position. Additionally, one orifice can be used on all pressures within the operating range of the trap body. This means that a single steam trap configuration can be used on vertical and horizontal piping as well as all pressures within the capability of the trap. This feature will significantly reduce the total number of traps that need to be carried in inventory.
  • FREEZE RESISTANT
    When installed in the vertical position, the trap is free draining and will not freeze.
  • TRAPS 100% TESTED ON STEAM
    All of our thermostatic traps are tested on steam at the factory before they are shipped. This is one of the many reasons why Nicholson steam traps are so reliable.

  • DOMESTIC MANUFACTURED
    Nicholson is proud to manufacture our products in Walden, New York. We would be pleased to have you visit the plant.
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Steam Trap Testing Station

Although the primary focus of Nicholson has been thermostatic traps, over the years, we have developed other innovative steam trap technologies such as: Thermodynamic traps for drip and tracing service with steam jacketed capsules, Mechanical traps, both conventional inverted bucket and float and thermostatic and the new NFT Free Float trap. By the way, Nicholson Steam Trap is the only domestic manufacturer to make a Free Float trap with several unique features. We’ve been building the industry’s best steam traps for over 117 years.

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Thermostatic Steam Traps

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Thermodynamic Steam Traps

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Mechanical Steam Traps

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NFT Series Float
& Thermostatic Steam Trap