A plate installed in a storage tank, at a point directly beneath the drop tube or gauging port.
The purpose of the plate is to absorb the impact of repeated insertions of gauge sticks, and to help dissipate the impact of product being dropped into the tank.
Before use of striker plates became common, it was discovered that the point directly beneath the drop tube was often the first point in the tank to yield to corrosion or structural failure. The reason was clear. When a gauge stick is dropped into a tank, day after day, its impact begins to induce a wearing action.
Today, most striker plates are installed by the tank manufacturer.
It is possible, however, to purchase a striker-plate assembly that can be installed in existing tanks. This assembly includes positioning arms that conform to the drop tube. Striker plates are sometimes referred to as wear plates.
