Thermostatic Steam Trap
Thermostatic steam traps employ a sensor that detects temperature differences between steam and condensate at the same pressure. The sensor sends signals to the valve actuator, which, in turn, operates the valve in response to changes in condensate temperature and pressure.

Capacity
The capacity of a thermostatic steam trap may, or may not, be directly related to the size of the steam piping to which it is connected. Some commercially available thermostatic steam traps, designed for low-pressure heating applications, have capacities that are related to pipe size, but this is not always the case.

Discharge Orifice
An industrial thermostatic steam trap may have the same capacity regardless of whether it is designed for use with ?-inch or 2-inch steam piping. The choice of correct steam trap capacity depends on the internal diameter of the steam discharge orifice, not just the pipe size.