Mechanical manifold gauge set

for decades, the priorities for value chains were reliability and efficiency – a dependable supply at the lowest cost. yet now, all businesses must do more than simply deliver the product that customers want, when they want it. today’s agriculture businesses must also deliver on: a sustainable value chain through visibility and traceability.

why traceability?

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data at every major and minor touchpoint of the chain

Manifold gauges can be one of the most essential tools for HVAC technicians and are likely one of the first instruments you’ll learn about in your HVAC classes.¹

These important tools are used to check the pressure of gases and liquids in a heating or cooling system.²

See how they work in this article.

What Is a Manifold Gauge?

A manifold gauge is a pressure-checking system. They are one of the most basic HVAC tools, and can be used as both a diagnostic and service tool.^2,3

In diagnostics, a manifold gauge tells an HVAC technician if the system is operating correctly, or if there is a problem within the system that needs to be addressed.⁴

When used as a service tool, a manifold gauge can be used to release moisture and sludge, and remove contaminated refrigerants from the system.^2,4

Manifold Gauge Parts

While manifold gauges will differ slightly among manufacturers, most manifold gauges have the same basic parts, consisting of a high-pressure valve (red) and a low-pressure valve (blue). Attached to these valves are three hoses: a blue hose connected to the low pressure valve, a red hose connected to the high pressure valve and a yellow hose in the middle, which can be directed to either valve.³

The center unit where everything is attached together is called the manifold, which is why this tool is called a manifold gauge.³

The basic parts of a standard manifold gauge include:⁴

• Low-pressure valve
• High-pressure valve
• Low-pressure gauge (blue)
• High Pressure Gauge (red)
• Low-pressure hose (blue)
• High-pressure hose (red)
• Center hose (yellow)⁴
• Center piece/manifold³

Manifold gauge sets can be either analog or digital, and some may have additional valves or functions, depending on the brand, inclusions and other considerations.¹

What Is a Manifold Gauge Set Used For?

Manifold gauges are used to monitor heating or cooling systems, specifically the pressure of refrigerants. These tools are used to control the flow of pressure or gas.⁵

HVAC gauges can either be small handheld devices, or bigger machines used in a professional HVAC shop.⁶

Manifold gauge sets can be used in the following ways:

• Checking pressure in AC lines
• Determining if there’s a leak
• Adding small amounts of refrigerants
• Refrigerant evacuation
• Recharging⁶
• Troubleshooting³
• Repairing AC and HVAC systems²

Most gauges can be used to measure any refrigerant pressure, but each gauge may vary in function and specifics. A manifold gauge must match the refrigerant used in the HVAC system. Every heating or cooling system will have a stamp showing what refrigerant is used. Some gauge sets can read multiple refrigerants. You will want to make sure you are using the right gauge for the right refrigerant reading.³

How Do Manifold Gauges Work?

A manifold gauge works by sending a flow of gas through the set. The yellow hose can be connected to an external source, such as a vacuum pump or refrigerant bottle. Depending on the situation, the low-pressure blue valve and high-pressure red valve would be connected appropriately.³

Here are a few examples of how manifold gauges work:

1. Pressure Readings: When taking pressure readings, the red hose would be connected to an HVAC high-pressure line and the blue hose would be connected to an HVAC low-pressure line. Then the HVAC technician would simply look at the gauges and record the reading.³

1. Vacuuming: In the case of vacuuming, the yellow hose would be attached to a vacuum pump, and the blue hose would go to the unit. The blue valve would be left open so the pump could work.³

1. Adding Refrigerant: If refrigerant is being added to an AC unit, the yellow hose would connect to the external source, the refrigerant bottle, and the red hose would be connected to the unit. The HVAC technician would monitor how much refrigerant is being added to the system and turn it off when it reaches the correct amount.³

Calibrating Your HVAC Manifold Gauge

An HVAC manifold gauge can help you check the pressure of the lines of an HVAC system, as well as troubleshoot problems.^2,3

But, similar to the equipment they check, manifold gauges also need to be serviced from time to time.

This means HVAC/R tool calibration can be another important skill for an HVAC technician to learn.

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Working as a heating, ventilation, air conditi oning, and refrigeration service technician, you have certainly faced the need for using manifold gauges. And not only HVAC/R technicians require specific knowledge on how to use them. A reliable set of gauges represents a valuable asset for a number of professionals in a vast range of spheres. 

Gauges are used to read the pressure of various liquids and gases in a cooling system, as well as vacuum pressure in the process of testing or charging the device. They differ in the number of ports, alias manifolds, that are used for attaching accessories. Along with it, gauges can be characterized by the pressure they are designed to withstand, which is highly important when working with different refrigerants.

Contents

Being the basic refrigeration system tool, the manifold gauge is used as a diagnosis and a service device. A technician must have Ra and R manifolds to service modern vehicles. Many shops with refrigerant service machines may have one or more manifold gauges to make pressure checks when the machine is being used on another vehicle. Besides, manifold gauges are used to remove contaminated or unknown blend refrigerants from the air conditioning systems, reducing the chance of cross-contaminating a service machine. In shops that perform a large volume of air conditioning work, technicians often have their own manifold gauges as part of their toolset. Although all manifold gauges have the same construction, the form factor may vary depending on the manufacturer of the tool. There are 2-valve manifold gauges, 4-valve manifold gauges, and more. In the picture below, you may discover the main parts of a common manifold gauge.

The manifold body made of brass or aluminum has special passages for connecting other manifold parts. Note that the internal passages are arranged so that the device can read the pressure when the valves are closed. The hand valves used on R and Ra manifold gauges are usually arranged in the same way throughout the form factors - on a slant or in front of the manifold. For easier use, valve wheels for the high and low sides are identified by the color - the low-side handwheel is made of blue plastic or has a blue decal in its center, whereas the high-side handwheel is marked with red color. The manifold body may also have a sight glass to observe the flow of the refrigerant.

The gauges used with a refrigeration gauge manifold are either analog (with an indicator needle) or digital. In an analog gauge, the position of the needle in relation to the numbers on the gauge face indicates the pressure or vacuum in the refrigeration system, whereas digital gauges provide a numerical reading, indicating system pressure or vacuum. All manifold gauges have high- and low-pressure gauges. Some older designs come with three gauges - one is used for measuring compressor output. Older high-side gauges are calibrated from 0 to psi ( kPa), whereas newer designs - from 0 to psi ( kPa). A low-side gauge is calibrated from 0 to psi ( kPa). Besides the pressure scale, the latter also has a provision for measuring ” of vacuum (approximately 50 microns).

Digital manifold gauges began to rise in popularity due to the readings a technician can get quickly and reliably. The HVAC world has been slow to adapt to the newer digital technology, and in the past, digital gauges were left to the HVAC techno-nerds, but as time goes on, digital manifold gauges become much more commonplace.

People constantly disputing whether using digital gauges is an evolution of HVAC or just an unnecessary whim. On the one hand, a lot of people consider digital gauges as the next step in the HVAC world and represent a better tool to get a job done more quickly. On the other hand, many people say that they only make the work more complicated.

Of course, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Thus, each type with its own pros and cons has a grateful user.

Analog

		Analog gauges have stood the test of time and have been used for generations by heating and cooling professionals. An experienced HVAC technician is able to tell what pressures the unit is reading, without even ever looking at a chart.
		Analog gauges are more prone to errors mainly due to the human factor. Reading the analog gauges, the user gets a rough picture of what is happening, and the technicians' conversion errors compound this problem.

Digital

		Digital gauges are very accurate and usually have some additional functions. Due to their accuracy and no need for conversion tables, errors are less likely to happen.
		Digital gauges are new to HVAC technicians, who certainly require training to use them properly. Different manufacturers add various features that may complicate the process.

1. Connect the high-pressure side of the cooling line to the red port on the gauge. The red port and red gauge are always high-pressure gauges. You will want to attach a code-approved red hose, which is made to withstand high pressure, using the flare fittings that are included with it, to the high-pressure port on the cooling unit. The high-pressure port can be of a different size and thread pitch than the low-pressure side in order to avoid the potential for accidental incorrect hookups.
2. Connect the low-pressure side to the blue port of the gauge. The low-pressure side will be connected with a blue low-pressure hose to the blue pressure gauge and the low-pressure side of the cooling unit. It allows the proper flow of vacuum pressure in order to determine the vacuum pressure in the system.
3. Attach a waste hose or vent hose to the center of the manifold set up. In case of discharging the unit, or venting freon by attaching the unit, you will need to attach a larger black low-pressure hose to the center port of the manifold. By doing so, you will be able to attach a refrigerant recovery bottle to the manifold set to avoid violating federal law regarding the release of refrigerant into the atmosphere.
4. Attach micron meters or other gauges to the additional ports. The additional ports on the manifold can be used to attach micron (vacuum pressure) gauges, or even a vacuum pump that can be attached to some piece of furniture in order to perform the proper services to the cooling system as required for the repair that you are making.

When it comes to HVAC and buying HVAC manifold gauges, for most people, it is never as simple as buying one set. Often multiple sets are carried around (or at least two) to be able to work on different refrigerants in systems and oils used in refrigeration.

There are a few HVAC technicians that carry only one set, but most of them carry at least two. Also, sometimes you will come across an old unit that you just don’t want to put new gauges on.

Buy manifold gauges as well as manifold gauge sets on Mega Depot!

Question And Answer

Detailed Pictures:

The refrigerant is corrosive. Our gauge is equipped with brass manifold and rubber nylon resin hoses, anti-corrosion, low fluid resistance, high bearing pressure, ensure durability and good air sealing.