Refrigeration Gauge

Refrigeration gauges are designed to provide information regarding the operational health of a closed refrigeration system. Most refrigeration systems, regardless of their application, require that pressure and temperature process variables be closely and continually monitored.

These variables may be indicated locally or remotely by pressure gauges with dials calibrated in terms of the variable being measured. The compound gauges used for this, capable of measuring both vacuum and positive pressure, are called refrigeration gauges and utilize graduated dials with 270° displays and pressure range of either vacuum-150 PSI or vacuum-300 PSI. Each of these ranges features a dual scale dial: one scale is dedicated to the pressure reading, while the other scale is for the “temperature equivalent” value. The temperature equivalent scale is based on the system’s refrigerant and is displayed in red for easy interpretation and analysis. Scales available for Refrigerant Ammonia or Freon R12, R22 and R502. Other refrigerant scale can be made as required.

Accu-Drive Refrigeration Gauges

3D Instruments’ Accu-Drive refrigeration gauges incorporate our signature Direct Drive helical Inconel bourdon tube system. The Direct Drive concept couples the bourdon tube directly to the shaft-pointer, streamlining the design and reducing the number of moving parts from 12 to just one. Thirty years of industry experience has proven this design to be vastly superior to the C-bourdon tubes and movement systems incorporated in other refrigeration gauges.

In many severe service applications, pressure gauges using C-bourdon tubes are filled with silicone or glycerin to both dampen needle movement and lubricate their metal parts to extend services. Besides adding additional cost, the case fill liquid often causes other operational difficulties, such as dial discoloration and potential shift of calibration. In most instances, a 3D Accu-Drive refrigeration gauge can directly replace a traditional liquid-filled refrigeration gauge. When compared to a liquid-filled gauge, Accu-Drive refrigeration gauges have been shown to last up to ten times longer in applications where extreme pulsation and vibration are common. And, with no gears or wear points, Accu-Drive refrigeration gauges maintain their rated accuracy over the entire life of the gauge, without the need for costly recalibration.

The net effect is a dramatic reduction in your cost of ownership.

All 3D refrigeration gauges are manufactured from top quality materials, including ABS plastic or stainless steel cases, 316 stainless steel wetted parts, and bourdon tube constructed of Inconel® X750, a highly elastic material with excellent corrosion resistance.

The extremely robust bourdon tube system offers outstanding overpressure protection up 150% of full scale on ranges of 30” Hg vacuum-150 PSI and 30” Hg vacuum-300 PSI, with various refrigerant scales available. A temperature equivalent scale in red enables easy analysis of the refrigeration system. Various case sizes are available, with dials in 2.5”, 4.5”, and 6” sizes.