How to Calibrate AC Manifold Gauges

Resource Description

How to Calibrate AC Manifold Gauges

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Calibration of analog AC (Refrigerant) Manifold Gauges
  3. Calibration of digital AC (Refrigerant) Manifold Gauges
  4. Final Thoughts

Introduction

A manifold gauge is one of the essentials for any HVAC/R technician. These gauges are used to check the pressure of gases/liquids in heating or cooling systems. Manifold gauges can be used for diagnostics, with their help, an HVAC/R technician knows whether the system is working properly or not. The gauges can also be used for service purposes, for example, it is possible to release moisture, sludge, remove contaminated refrigerants that can be accumulated in your HVAC/R system.

It is important to calibrate your manifold gauge the right way so you can be sure that it will provide accurate readings. In this article, we offer you simple step-by-step instructions so you can easily calibrate your analog and digital manifold gauge.

Calibration of Analog Manifold Gauges

Things you will need:

Follow the steps below to calibrate your analog manifold gauge set.

METHOD 1 - Zero the gauges

Zero the gauges

For this purpose, for a low-side gauge, remove the hose, open the valve, there is no external pressure on the gauge itself. On the gauge, there should be a small access hole so you can get to the adjustment screw.

Zero the gauges

Pull the access plug out (if there is one). Turn the adjustment screw counterclockwise so the pointer goes down or clockwise so it goes up. Set the screwdriver in and rotate the adjustment screw until you see that the pointer is at zero. After that, put the access plug back in (if necessary).

METHOD 2 - Use a tank of refrigerant

Step 1 - Hook a canister with refrigerant to the manifold gauge set

Use a tank of refrigerant

Pick up the hose, open the valve, turn the tank upside down to get the pressure of the liquid inside the tank. The line should be led out and all the air that was in the line should be removed. Now the gauge is reading the proper pressure in the tank.

Step 2 - Measure the temperature

Use a tank of refrigerant

For this purpose, you can use your digital sling psychrometer, or get an IR thermometer (point the latter one at the liquid that is contained in the tank).

Now that temperature measurements are taken, get the pressure measurement chart and look up the result that appeared on the display of your thermometer (or psychrometer). Then look at your manifold gauge set, it should be operating in the correct range.

In case the pointer is above or below this range, turn the adjustment clockwise to raise the pointer or counterclockwise to lower it.

Step 3 - Repeat this procedure with the other gauge

Hopefully, now you have an idea of how to calibrate your analog manifold gauge.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

The process includes the calibration of temperature sensors and advanced pressure calibration. Let’s begin!

Temperature calibration

Things you will need:

In order to calibrate temperature sensors, matching to a known temperature works perfectly well. Ice water is close to 32°F.

Let’s calibrate the temperature sensors. Note that after calibration, you should not switch the temperature clamps as they will have different resistance values.

1. Get a bowl of ice water. It’s better to use a large container. The heat is absorbed by the ice water from the sides. If the container is large enough, the temperature clamps will be further away from its sides. Please note that the purer the water is, the better. Distilled water will be the best choice.

2. Take the temperature clamps (clamp each one onto a piece of ice) and immerse them in the bucket with ice water.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

3. Press the MENU button and then scroll through until you see the CalTemp option. Press the ENTER button.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

4. Then go down to each one of the clamps that you have emerged in the ice water and hit ENTER. After that, adjust them at 32 degrees by pressing the ARROW key. Do this procedure with both the suction line temperature side & the liquid line temperature side.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

5. When you are done, hit the MENU button

Advanced pressure calibration

It is based on measuring the temperature of virgin refrigerant & applying an offset to match the pressure to that refrigerant’s pressure-temperature chart.

1. Make sure that a beaded thermocouple is calibrated to the ODDB jack. Each thermocouple jack (ODDB jack included) must be calibrated to the particular thermocouple that is plugged into it. See Temperature calibration, but now you will need the readings for ODDB (not SLT or LLT).

2. Get a virgin refrigerant cylinder and store it in a stable ambient environment for at least 24 hours. It should be upright and untouched.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

3. Leave the cylinder in the place where you left it to stabilize and then connect it to the high OR low side port.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

4. The two unused ports should be capped. In case there are no caps with seals, both ends of a refrigerant hose should be connected to the unused ports or hose seats.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

5. Select the type of refrigerant in the cylinder using the ARROW buttons.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

6. Attach the ODDB thermocouple bead halfway up the cylinder using tape (to measure the refrigerant temperature).

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

7. Press the VIEW button if ODDB is not displayed.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

8. Open the high & low side manifold valves.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

9. Open the refrigerant cylinder valve. Note that the pressure inside the cylinder will now be displayed on the high as well as low side pressure sensors.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

10. The pressure readings and ODDB temperature should stabilize.

11. Press the MENU button.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

12. View Adv Pressure Cal using the ARROW buttons.

13. Press the ENTER button to initiate the calibration of the pressure sensors.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

14. If the process is successful, each pressure sensor will briefly display “Good”. If the process is unsuccessful, you will see “Err”.

Calibration of Digital Refrigerant Manifold Gauges

Make sure that there is no air conditioner running in the room as it can lower the temperature of the tank.

Final Thoughts

Calibration is an important step that should not be overlooked. Hopefully, now you have an idea of how to calibrate your manifold gauge set (analog or digital). Get accurate readings easily!