When the time comes to get a new gauge for your vacuum system, it is vital to take into consideration various factors. At first glance, choosing a vacuum gauge may look like an easy task, but there are important things to know before buying one.
A vacuum gauge is a measuring instrument that calculates the pressure from a vacuum. This gauge can be used for air pumps, steam condensers, and HVAC units. If you would like to buy this device, you need to understand its requisites. If you do not know this, you might end up getting a fake product.
There are different brands and types of vacuum gauges in the market today. This can confuse people who do not know what to expect from a perfect vacuum gauge. Different factors affect the performance of vacuum gauges and in turn, the decision to buy one.
Now, let us discuss these factors that you should keep in mind before buying a vacuum gauge.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Vacuum Gauge
Consider the Types Available in the Market
Various types of vacuum gauges are found in the market. You need to choose one that suits your needs the most. There are two main types of this device and they are direct and indirect gauges.
Direct gauges give pressure to the vacuum system and are not dependent on gas. They give pressure that is above 10-4 mbar. The mechanical dial and digital are under these direct gauges. These devices convert pressure into a digital signal and display it on a screen.
Indirect gauges are gas-dependent. These devices rely on two methods: ionization and thermal transfer. Both direct and indirect gauges can work effectively in measuring pressure, however, indirect ones may break down in environments of high radiation. For direct devices, they come at inexpensive prices than indirect gauges. You have a choice to select the one that best fits your budget and preferences.
Choose Based on Pressure Range
One of the most important factors to consider when buying this device is the pressure range. The useful pressure range should be between 1 x 10-13 to 7.6 x 103 torr, but this is expensive to maintain. Having a vacuum gauge that has a mix of different pressure range is important. It offers versatility as you can use it for any vacuum machine.
Check Out for its Accuracy Range
The accuracy of this device is represented by a percentage. The more accurate a device is, the more expensive it will be. To understand how to calculate the accurate range of these devices, check here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_measurement.
Consider Where You Would Use it
It is important to consider where you would use this gauge before getting it. If you would use it outdoors under harsh weather conditions, you need to buy one that is built to withstand such issues. But if you need it in a controlled environment like a laboratory, you can get a sensitive gauge.
The sensitivity of a gauge can be affected by the location you install it in. High temperature and rusting from a humid environment can impact on a sensitive gauge performance. If your home or business is prone to humidity, choose a device that wouldn’t be easily affected by it.
Consider the Size of the Device
The size of the gauge is an important factor to consider. If the device is too small, you may not be able to read the data accurately. If you would use it frequently in a day, choose the one that comes in moderate size.
Check Out the Power Source
Another important criterion to consider is the power feature or source. There are two common power source types. They include the VAC line or electricity and battery. If you need this device for outdoor activities or car air pumps, you can get the portable one that runs on a battery. But for factory or laboratory purposes, the one that works with electricity is a good fit.
Consider the Vacuum Machine to Use it For
This gauge is used in controlling and measuring pressure for different vacuum devices. Vibration from these devices can affect the gauge in a long run. It can cause damage to the pointer mechanism. It would not read accurately anymore. To avoid such issues, regularly calibrate the device before usage. If you will like to know how to calibrate it, watch this video.
Compare Price and Maintenance Costs
Before you decide to get something, it is wise to have a budget. In this budget, you calculate your expenses in order of importance. You also keep in mind what you earn when making this budget.
A vacuum gauge with high accuracy and pressure range is usually very expensive, but it is less costly to maintain. But the one with low accuracy can come at cheap prices but is expensive to maintain. You have a choice to buy the one that will fit your budget in the long run.
Conclusion
Making a good choice when buying vacuum gauges depend on your understanding of the devices. This is why it is necessary for you to keep in mind certain factors before buying. The above-mentioned factors in this article will be of help to you.