AIT Pipefitter Level 3 Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Preparation

A mechanical trap operates on the principle of density differences. This system effectively separates condensate from steam or gas in a piping system by using the differing densities of these substances. When steam enters the trap, it is less dense than the condensate, allowing steam to rise and escape, while the heavier condensate is retained and directed to the appropriate drainage system.

In a mechanical trap, components such as floats or bellows respond to the weight of the condensate compared to the steam or gas. As condensate collects, it changes the position of these components, which ultimately opens or closes a valve to maintain proper drainage and prevent flooding in the system.

In contrast, other operatives such as temperature changes or pressure changes do not govern the operation of mechanical traps, which makes density differences the key working principle in their functionality. Additionally, vibrational feedback does not apply to the density-based operation of mechanical traps, as it pertains to different systems, such as sensors or alarms, rather than the basic mechanism of trapping condensate.