Your LPG boiler, heating and appliances need a steady supply of gas at the correct pressure. Your LPG regulator plays an important part in making that happen.
Your regulator controls the pressure of LPG coming from your tank before it reaches your appliances. It also contains safety devices designed to stop the gas supply if the pressure becomes too high or too low, helping to protect your LPG system.
But what happens if your regulator keeps tripping?
If you’ve reset it once and it trips again, don’t keep resetting it. A repeated lockout can indicate a problem that needs to be investigated.
In this guide, we’ll explain why an LPG regulator can trip, what the indicators mean, when it’s safe to reset it, and when you should call your LPG supplier or a qualified Gas Safe engineer.
What is an LPG regulator?
An LPG regulator is an important part of your LPG installation. LPG is stored in your tank under pressure, and the regulator reduces this pressure to the correct level before the gas reaches your appliances.
It also includes built-in safety devices designed to protect your system and can shut off the gas supply if the pressure becomes too low or too high. These are known as under-pressure shut-off (UPSO) and over-pressure shut-off (OPSO).
The regulator is usually located under the lid of your LPG tank or, in some installations, where the gas supply enters your property. With an underground LPG tank, the regulator and valve assembly are normally located within the tank lid area.
Because your regulator is an important safety component, it should only be installed, inspected, maintained or replaced by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.
Why does my LPG regulator keep tripping?
An LPG regulator can lock out for a number of reasons. A single trip doesn’t necessarily mean that the regulator itself is faulty, but repeated trips should not be ignored.
Some possible causes include:
Low LPG tank level: If your tank is very low, the pressure in the system can fall and cause the regulator’s under-pressure safety device to operate
A recent LPG delivery: Changes in tank pressure or conditions within the supply system following a delivery can sometimes contribute to a regulator lockout. If the regulator trips after a delivery, contact your LPG supplier
Cold or very wet weather: Extreme temperatures and moisture can affect LPG pressure, particularly when the tank level is low and demand for gas is high. This is particularly important with underground LPG tanks, where the regulator and valve assembly are often located beneath the tank lid. Keeping this chamber free from standing water and preventing it from flooding is essential, as water can cause corrosion, and if it freezes, potentially damage the regulator.
High appliance demand: Using several gas appliances at the same time can increase demand on the LPG system. If the regulator or installation cannot maintain the required pressure, the safety device may operate.
A problem elsewhere in the gas installation: A regulator lockout can sometimes be a symptom of another issue within the pipework or appliances
A regulator fault: Wear, corrosion, contamination or damage can affect how a regulator operates.
That’s why repeatedly resetting the regulator isn’t the answer. If it continues to trip, the cause needs to be identified.
A regulator that trips repeatedly is telling you that something isn’t right. It could be something relatively straightforward, such as low tank pressure, but it could also indicate a fault with the regulator or another part of the installation.
We may be able to help identify whether the issue is related to your tank or LPG supply and advise you on the next step. If an engineer needs to investigate the installation, they can advise you on arranging a visit from a qualified engineer.
Is it safe to reset my LPG regulator twice?
You should only reset your LPG regulator in accordance with your LPG supplier’s instructions. If it trips again after being reset, don’t keep resetting it. If it trips again, the underlying cause needs to be checked.
Never bypass, disable or interfere with the safety device. It is there to protect your LPG installation.
If you smell gas, hear gas escaping or have any other reason to suspect a gas leak, do not attempt to reset the regulator. Follow the appropriate gas emergency procedure instead.
What do the red and green indicators on an LPG regulator mean?
Some LPG regulators have a visual indicator showing the status of the safety device.
On regulators fitted with a green/red indicator, green generally indicates that the safety device is open and the gas supply is available, while red can indicate that the safety device has operated and the gas supply has been shut off.
However, the exact meaning of the indicators depends on the type of regulator fitted to your LPG installation. Always follow the instructions for your particular regulator.
What should I do if my LPG regulator trips again?
If your regulator has tripped:
- Check whether your LPG tank has sufficient gas, if you can do so safely
- If your LPG supplier has given you instructions for resetting your particular regulator, follow them carefully
- If the regulator trips again, stop resetting it
- Contact your LPG supplier and explain what has happened
- If required, arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to investigate the installation
Could there be a problem with your regulator?
Repeated lockouts aren’t the only sign that something may need checking. You might also notice:
- A yellow or weak flame. Gas appliances should normally have a clear, steady blue flame. A yellow or weak flame can indicate a combustion or gas supply problem and should be investigated
- A smell of gas. LPG has an added odorant to make leaks easier to detect. If you smell gas, treat it seriously and follow the appropriate emergency procedure
- A hissing sound. A hissing sound around the regulator, tank or pipework could indicate escaping gas. If you suspect a leak, move away from the area, and follow the appropriate emergency procedure
- Water around or inside the regulator. Regulators need to be protected from water ingress. Moisture can cause corrosion and, in cold weather, freezing can damage components
- Visible damage or corrosion. Regularly looking at your LPG installation can help you spot obvious problems. Look for signs such as cracks, significant corrosion or damage around the regulator and associated equipment
Don’t remove covers or interfere with the regulator yourself. If something doesn’t look right, get it checked.
I can smell gas – what should I do?
If you smell LPG, take it seriously and act quickly. Don’t try and find the source of the smell or reset the regulator yourself.
- Don’t use naked flames or anything that could create a spark
- Don’t switch electrical appliances or lights on or off if you are in an area where gas may be present
- If it is safe to do so, turn off the gas supply
- Move away from the area and stay upwind of any escaping gas
- Contact your LPG supplier’s emergency service
Can cold or very wet weather cause an LPG regulator to trip?
Cold and very wet weather can create additional challenges for LPG regulators, particularly where the regulator is located in an exposed or below-ground area.
With an underground LPG tank, the regulator and valve assembly are often located in the chamber beneath the tank lid. It’s important to keep this area free from standing water and prevent it from flooding.
Water can cause corrosion, while freezing temperatures can cause trapped water to freeze and potentially damage components.
If your tank chamber has flooded or you notice water around the regulator, don’t attempt to remove or repair the equipment yourself. Contact your LPG supplier for advice.
What should I do if my LPG regulator won’t reset?
If you’ve followed your LPG supplier’s instructions and the regulator won’t reset, don’t force it and don’t repeatedly try to reset it.
Contact your LPG supplier. They can help establish whether the problem could be related to the LPG supply, tank level or delivery and advise what to do next.
If the problem is with the regulator or another part of the installation, a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer will need to investigate and carry out the essential work.
Need some help?
If you’re a Northern Energy customer and your regulator has tripped, we’re here to help. Give our customer service team a call on 01423 772 789 and we’ll talk you through what to do next.
Your LPG regulator plays an important role in keeping your heating and appliances supplied with gas safely. If it keeps tripping, don’t keep resetting it. Get in touch with us so we'll help find out why.
Our in-house Gas Safe qualified engineers can also investigate your LPG installation if needed, giving you one less thing to worry about.