Cold Differential Test Pressure (CDTP) for a Pressure relief valve

For some relief valves (especially conventional type relief valves), the opening of
the valve is affected by backpressure seen by the valve. If the backpressure seen by
such relief valves is higher than atmospheric, then it has to be designed to open at
a lower differential pressure value than the relief valve set pressure minus
atmospheric pressure. However when the relief valve is tested before installation, it
only sees atmospheric pressure as backpressure. Hence to open this relief valve at
same differential pressure value, the set point pressure for opening the valve has to
be lower than original design set point pressure. This set point value is known as
cold differential test pressure (CDTP).

For pilot operated and balanced bellows type relief valves, effect of backpressure on
valve opening characteristics is very low and hence CDTP is the same as the original
design set point pressure value.