good vacuum gauge recommendation needed 1

[HPsteam]

Hi.

I am working in a small engineering company dealing with vacuum equipment used in process, power and other industries requiring vacuum. I am responsible for going out to field to tackle the ever so important issue of equipment not working according to design specifications. We have a case of measuring instruments, which i inherited (and still share) with the VP of engineering. As he is doing this for 25+ years , he is accustomed to a certain vacuum gauge, which he likes. I do not like it too much. We are using 2 types of gauges, both manufactured by Vacuubrand:
1- Vacuum gauge DVR 2 -->

http://www.vacuubrand.com/us/page790.html

2- Vacuum gauge Set DCP 3000 + VSK 3000 -->

http://www.vacuubrand.com/us/page794.html

the reason i do not like them is that they are not intuitive and in order to connect more than 2 sensor, is just pain. you have to buy an additional part that can connect. And as far as i understood, you can only see 2 at the same time on your screen (maybe i am wrong on this one).

I researched online and see that there are large number of manufacturer's that claim that their $200 gauge is capable of measuring micron level vacuums with multiple sensors, data logging and so on... Vacuubrand items go for about a $1000, for your reference..


Anyone has any experience with any other vacuum gauges, any suggestions, recommendations, etc... minimum level i would need to measure would be 0.1 mmHg. 0.01 and lower would be nice but not needed. We rarely go to that low range.


thanks in advance

 

[robertib]

We also work in vacuum process, and to read a pressure of that level we would use a pirani gauge. The one we use is a micro-pirani gauge manufactured by MKS Instuments, which can read down to 10-5 torr (effectively 0.00001 mmHq). There are probably other makes on the market, but this is the type you would be interested in.

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.mksinst.com/product/product.aspx?ProductID=648[/url]

 

[Compositepro]

I don't understand what you think is a problem with these gauges. "Non-intuitive" probably means you need increase your level of knowledge of how all the different types of pressure gauges work so that you know which to select and why. I suspect the the cheaper gauges you are looking at actually measure gauge pressure (relative to atmosphere) and not absolute pressure (relative to a perfect vacuum). The difference between the two measurements is barometric pressure, which fluctuates by time and location.

 

[dicer]

Good old manometer.

 

[EdStainless]

It depends on the vacuum range. Traditionally Pirani gauges were used for the gap between manometers/dial gauges and thermal gauges. Plain old TC gauges will measure single digit micron levels just fine.
First define your range of concern, and then the accuracy and precision that you need.
I have always had good results with MKS, using many different types of gauges.


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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[HPsteam]

Thank you all for your replies.

@robertib
thank you for the link. this looks pretty promising. The particular item i liked is the 902B with screen, but it seems that it needs outside power supply. Do these come with battery supply at all? I should ask MKS about this info, but since you use MKS instruments already, you may be able to answer to this simple question.

@dicer
yeah, i agree with you, but loading up the rig of that sort into airplane may be a bit difficult. I would need something that is easy transportable

@EdStainless
i need 0.1-1000 torr. As i stated in my original entry, i would be satisfied with this, but having capabilities of measuring deeper vacuum would be great (do not go there that often - maybe once a year, so i could live without it).

 

[robertib]

@HPsteam
All it requires is a USB connection to supply the power - it can be from a computer, or a USB charger similar to the one below.

USB charger

 

[HPsteam]

Thanks robertib. That is quite simple.

I have last question before i go to MKS for more information. Since it is connected via USB, i assume that there should be a software that could allow you monitoring on computer. Is my assumption correct?

 

[robertib]

Yes, and the gauge comes with a CD - I couldn't say how easy it is to use, since we are still using an older version of the software that we used with an older version of the gauge.

 

[HPsteam]

That is great. Thank you for your help robertib. I appreciate it.