Flow Measurement with Orifice Plates

Dwyer Instruments offers many types of flow measuring products including orifice plates, which are used as a flow sensing element with a differential pressure monitor.

Orifice Plates

Orifice plates are a primary flow element, detecting the flow of a fluid passing through the plate by sensing the pressure drop across the plate. When a fluid flows through a restriction in a pipe, it creates a pressure difference between upstream and downstream of the restriction. This pressure difference is proportional to flow rate according to Bernoulli’s principal, similar to a Pitot tube.  Orifice plates are commonly used as they are simple to use, low cost, work with gases or liquids, and require low maintenance.  Adversely, they do have large pressure losses with about 50% of the pressure drop not recoverable.  Continue reading “Flow Measurement with Orifice Plates”

Discover an Easier Way to Water Balance with the Series 490W

Wireless Hydronic Differential Pressure Manometer, Series 490W

Earlier this year, Dwyer Instruments released its new look and updated features for the wireless hydronic differential pressure manometer, Series 490W. This product is used for applications including: refrigerant pressure testing, hydronic valve balancing, measuring pressure drop across pumps, and measuring pressure drop across chiller and coils for freeze protection.

The original Series 490W hydronic balancing kit was recognized in 2018 at the AHR Expo Innovation Awards as the winner of the Tools and Instruments product category. Prior to this win, the 490W was also recognized as a Silver Award Winner in the Electronic and Hand Tools product category of the Dealer Design Awards Program sponsored by The Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News magazine (ACHR News). Continue reading “Discover an Easier Way to Water Balance with the Series 490W”

How Pressurized Stairwells Keep You Safe

Picture this: You wake up with a start to the sound of crackling flames and the screech of an alarm. A nearby apartment room has caught fire, and you need to get out before it spreads to the rest of the building. You go through the motions; grab the keys, check the door knob, keep low to the ground. You head to the stairs and make your way outside to safety. 

Continue reading “How Pressurized Stairwells Keep You Safe”

[New Product Highlight] StabiliSENSE™ Critical Room Pressure Monitor | Series RPMC

The Dwyer team recently released the StabiliSENSE™ critical room pressure monitor, Series RPMC. This series is ideal for critical low differential room pressure applications, such as: clean manufacturing areas, semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical, clean rooms, research labs, and vivariums. Continue reading “[New Product Highlight] StabiliSENSE™ Critical Room Pressure Monitor | Series RPMC”

What Are Room Pressure Monitors and Where Are They Used?

Hospital Isolation Room

Room pressure monitors are devices that monitor differential pressure between two rooms or areas. Differential pressure is the difference of two pressures being sensed.

There are several applications where it is important to maintain a pressure difference between two rooms. This helps to ensure that there are no contaminants entering or exiting a protected area. In a medical setting, an isolation room requires a pressure differential to make sure that no bacteria, pathogens, or viruses enter (or leave) the isolation room. This protects healthcare professionals, patients, and other guests, and minimizes the spread of germs. Room pressure monitors would also be used in areas such as: pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, clean rooms, research labs, vivariums, and clean manufacturing areas. Continue reading “What Are Room Pressure Monitors and Where Are They Used?”