Pressure Transducers

On my last post I discussed common refrigeration pressure switches. As the name implies, these are switches which are opened and closed by pressure changes. They can make or break circuits, but they cannot indicate pressure. Pressure transducers are often used for electronic controls because they can actually indicate system pressures.

The word “transduce” means to change from one form to another. A pressure transducer turns pressure changes into analog electrical signal changes. This is most often a change in a DC voltage, typically 0 – 5 volts DC. This changing voltage can then be interpreted as a pressure by the electronic control to which it is connected.

The most common pressure transducers used in HVAC use a small stainless-steel diaphragm with strain gauges bonded to it. A change in pressure causes the diaphragm to bend, which causes the strain gauges to change resistance. These transducers have three leads: two are wired to DC+ and DC- and the third carries the signal. Pressure transducers ohm out like a potentiometer. On diagrams this looks like a potentiometer with a pressure bellows connected to the wiper arm. The resistance between the two leads that connect to DC voltage should stay the same regardless of the pressure. The third lead changes resistance relative to the two other leads as the pressure changes.

When the two other leads are connected to 5 volts DC, the signal connection will vary between 0 and 5 volts DC depending on the pressure. The control then interprets this voltage and controls the system based on the board’s program. If you want to check the transducer signal, read the voltage between the signal lead and DC- and then compare this voltage to a chart published by the manufacturer. Here are a couple of links to more information on presure transducers

Omega Transducers

Emerson Climate Technologies

 

Affordable Wireless Probes

I just got my first opportunity to play with my new Testo smart probes. The 549i measures pressure and the 515i measures temperature. They are wireless Bluetooth devices which rely on an app that you load on your smart phone or tablet. They are part of a complete lineup of wireless Bluetooth devices that Testo is introducing. I was interested in them because of the low price point. The 549i and 515i are each around $50.  To read both system pressures, the suction line temperature, and the liquid line temperature simultaneously costs around $200.

The App

The Testo Smart Probes app interfaces with all of the smart probes. My first impression is generally positive. Like Testo’s Digital Manifold Gauges, the software does have a small learning curve. However, once you get past the initial setup and learning where all the settings are, you can easily check system pressures, superheat, and subcooling simultaneously. You can choose from a menu of applications which range from a basic list of each probe’s output to a software application designed to make a particular job easier. The software will also do data logging. Each application allows viewing the information as a list, trending (a graph), or a table. With the graph or table view, every time the probe updates its reading, that new reading is plotted on the graph or added to the table. You can export these to pdf, excel or jpg.

Accuracy

The accuracy is reasonable. For improved accuracy, the 115i temperature probe uses an NTC sensor rather than a thermocouple. The specification is plus or minus 1.3° C ( 2.3° F). Its resolution is 0.1, meaning it can display tenths of a degree.  Its range is -40°C to 150°C ( -40°F to 302°F). The 549i pressure probe has an accuracy of plus or minus 0.3 bar (4 psi). The resolution is 0.1, meaning it can display tenths of a pound.  The range is -1 to 60 bar (-14 to 870 psi).

In the Shop

The software and Bluetooth worked well with both my i-phone and my Android tablet. The range seemed fine, I connected to the system and walked around the shop. The app did drop some of the probes occasionally, but they always reappeared in a few seconds. This happened even if I was right next to the probes – so I don’t think it had to do with the Bluetooth range. There is also a latency in the readings of a few seconds. When I disconnected the pressure probes the pressure still showed on the screen for a few seconds.

Batteries

What remains to be seen is how long the batteries last. Each probe uses 3 AAA batteries. It could get a little expensive if I have to replace batteries a bunch. Also, I know neither my phone nor tablet will go all day, so to use these in the field a lot I would need to figure out a convenient way to recharge them.

Wrap up

The exciting part is that these probes bring the wireless world to you at a very affordable price. Just a good quality thermocouple pipe clamp that plugs into your multimeter costs $50. The 115i gives you more functionality and convenience for about the same price. The 549i lets you check system pressures without filling a manifold or hoses up with refrigerant. And both allow you to export the data, so you can provide your company and customers with verification of the system’s performance. Here is  link to a web page about the Testo Smart Probes. https://www.testo.com/en/home/products/smart_probes/smart_probes_heating_1.jsp