Blog

Toolbox Talk: Digital Manometers

One of the most common phrases coming out of our Technical Support department during a troubleshooting call is, “We recommend a digital manometer for that.” If you are used to working mostly with motor-driven systems, you may not have had as much of a need for one; but (besides being fun to say) manometers are very helpful tools when you’re working on HVAC equipment and air-driven systems like Arzel’s.

Manometers are used for accurately measuring individual and differential pressures. They work by comparing two different pressures between fluids or gases; in this case, gases – specifically air.

When working with HVAC and air-driven zoning systems, manometers come in handy in quite a few instances:

  • Troubleshooting in a variety of low-pressure systems (e.g.: pneumatic or air-driven systems
  • Reading incoming and manifold gas pressures
  • Testing pressure switches
  • Performing Pitot tube traverse readings within ducts
  • Observing differential pressures across filters or coils
  • Measuring both supply and return static pressures in ductwork
  • Diagnosing glitches that cannot necessarily be seen, such as a leak in a damper or pump or a weak vacuum

Besides being advantageous in various cases, they’re also extremely reliable: in addition to being found in your toolbox, manometers can be found in self-service blood-pressure devices.

While the more accurate and reliable models can run a little on the expensive end, they’re bound to be the best backup quarterback you’ll ever have for troubleshooting and diagnostics.

Recent Posts
View All

Summer is here, and with that comes a rush of service calls; in that rush, as technicians, we often skip the basics of air conditioning performance, starting with proper airflow. Air conditioning requires proper airflow and proper airflow changes with static pressure. The Total External Static Pressure (TESP) corresponds to blower performance data charts. For […]

As an HVAC contractor, correctly sizing the furnace and air conditioner for your client’s home or business is essential. Accurate load calculations prevent the risks associated with oversized or undersized systems, such as increased energy costs, reduced efficiency, and premature equipment failure. Load calculations, or “Manual J” for residential and light commercial applications, consider factors […]

Intro: When evaluating a building for zoning, one of the most important steps is measuring the duct capacity, or how many Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM) the duct can deliver. This post will discuss the importance of measuring the CFM capacity of a building’s ductwork and provide an overview of the process for calculating CFM […]

If you’re an HVAC contractor looking to design a custom HVAC system for a unique application, Arzel® zoning systems are an excellent choice. By taking advantage of the unique features and benefits Arzel® offers, you can design an HVAC system tailored to your customer’s specific needs. This blog post will look at the possibilities and […]