Life Amidst COVID-19

A lot has changed over these past few weeks as the world has adapted to life amidst COVID-19. 

Our healthcare workers have been doing an incredible job on the front lines. HVAC technicians and other workers in the trades are making sure essential systems are functioning properly. Even grocery stores have changed their hours and regulations in order to ensure safety for customers and employees alike. Continue reading “Life Amidst COVID-19”

Pressure Transducers vs. Pressure Transmitters

What are the differences between pressure transducers and pressure transmitters?

Many readers have likely heard the terms transducer and transmitter used interchangeably without much confusion. When searching the internet for either term, search engines provide nearly identical results. Are there any differences? The short answer is “yes”.  Continue reading “Pressure Transducers vs. Pressure Transmitters”

Calibration Control Standards

SMART Air Hood® Balancing Instrument, Series SAH

Purchasing measurement and test equipment, such as the Series SAH SMART Air Hood® balancing instrument, in bulk or batches allows you to have a back up when the equipment you regularly use needs to be serviced, thus preventing down time. In some cases, purchasing large quantities of the exact same make and model may give users the idea that the performance of each unit can be checked by comparing one to another. Although direct comparison of similar units may be good to identify operational defects, direct comparison of units with the exact same make and model from the exact same batch / date code does not allow for detection of potential systematic errors in your product’s performance. Continue reading “Calibration Control Standards”

Gas Mass Measurement

Energy costs are rising around the world. In the United States, the cost of electricity, natural gas, and coal are all expected to increase in 2020.[1] As oil prices increase, energy costs are rising in Britain, and in Australia, the cost of electricity has skyrocketed.[2] It will become increasingly necessary to manage costs by maintaining efficient operation of energy systems as energy prices continue to rise.

Steam is a common byproduct of energy generation in boiler systems. When energy is generated in a boiler system, heat energy is transferred to water, which generates steam used for heating. Measuring the steam produced by a boiler is the most logical way to measure boiler output, but it is extremely difficult to measure steam output accurately.[3] In a world where energy costs are only expected to increase, it is imperative that boiler output be measured accurately in order to conserve both money and energy. Continue reading “Gas Mass Measurement”

What Are 3-Way Ball Valves?

3-Way NPT Stainless Steel Ball Valve, Series WE31

Dwyer Instruments offers a diverse line of 3-way ball valves with a variety of body materials such as brass, stainless steel, and plastic. We also have a variety of end connections to choose from, including: NPT (National Pipe Tapered threads), tri-clamp, flanged, or socket.

What is a 3-way ball valve?
A 3-way ball valve, also known as a multi-port valve, has 3 ports or openings, where one port is common to the other two.  This third port offers the fluid an alternate path of travel, which permits the valve to have one inlet and two outlets, or two inlets and one outlet. They also provide simple and economical flow shut-off and direction control in one valve body. Continue reading “What Are 3-Way Ball Valves?”