What is a low-water cutoff device?

A low-water cutoff device serves a critical safety function in boiler systems. Its primary purpose is to monitor the water level within the boiler. If the water level falls below a predetermined threshold, indicating a potentially dangerous situation, the low-water cutoff activates to shut off the fuel supply to the burner. This action helps prevent overheating, damage to the boiler, or even a catastrophic failure due to lack of water, which could lead to a boiler explosion.

The operation of this device is integral to maintaining safe boiler conditions. By ensuring that fuel is no longer supplied when the water level is too low, it protects the integrity of the boiler and ensures operational safety. While other options refer to different aspects of boiler operation, such as indicating full water levels or monitoring steam pressure, they do not encompass the crucial safety role of the low-water cutoff device.