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Fieldpiece Instruments Wins a 2021 Pro Tool Innovation Award

pro tool innovation awards

Orange, Calif., September 21, 2021 – Fieldpiece Instruments, the leading manufacturer of professional-grade tools for HVACR pros by HVACR pros, received a Pro Tool Innovation Award for the Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector DR82. A diverse panel of judges made up of contractors, construction business owners, tradesmen, and media professionals came together this year to vote on the most innovative construction and outdoor power equipment industry products in the world. The Fieldpiece Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector DR82 won in the Test and Measurement Category.

According to the judges, “Detecting refrigeration leaks comes with different challenges than water and moisture leaks. A couple of things really stood out to our voters on the Fieldpiece Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector DR82 to help deal with those challenges. First, it doesn’t trigger a false positive thanks to soap or oil. Plus, it’s more than 20 times more sensitive than soap bubbles with a sensitivity level of <0.03 oz/yr. Wrap it all up in a compact handheld unit with an easy-to-read screen and your refrigerant leak detection is faster and easier than ever before.”

For over a decade, our refrigerant leak detectors have set the industry standard for durability, sensitivity, and reliability. Now, our newest Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector is raising the bar. “The Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector, DR82 brings a higher level of performance and offers a new, bright blue backlit LCD screen that is easy to read. To understand more details about the leak, our Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector has a numerical leak size indicator, bar graph and features a lighted tip, so you can see the location of the leak,” said Rachel Newport, Director of Marketing. “We are honored to have been voted one of the best in the Test and Measurement category by this expert panel of judges.”

Portable and powerful — the new design is more compact and small enough to fit in a back pocket. The Fieldpiece Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector DR82 is built to work all day with a USB rechargeable battery that can get 10 hours of use per charge.  It’s designed for the field with rugged, impact- and water-resistant, IP54-certified overmolded body. The Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector DR82 uses an infrared sensor that lasts 10 years and is packaged in a blow-molded carrying case with 5 all-in-one replacement filter tips.

For more information on the Fieldpiece Infrared Refrigerant Leak Detector DR82 please visit the product page: https://www.fieldpiece.com/product/dr82-infrared-refrigerant-leak-detector-copy-2/

ABOUT FIELDPIECE: Fieldpiece Instruments is an innovative technology company focused on helping industry professionals do their jobs easier, faster and better around the globe. We deliver on this promise through industry-leading devices with the broadest range of professional-grade tools and technology inspired by real-world application and field use. Fieldpiece is focused on serving the HVACR industry exclusively, enabling HVACR professionals to become Masters of the Trade. For more information, please visit http://www.fieldpiece.com, and be sure to follow Fieldpiece on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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Tech Articles

How Manometers Help HVACR Professionals Diagnose and Balance Furnace and A/C Systems

SDMN6-Tmb (1)

What Is a Manometer?

A manometer is an instrument used to measure and indicate pressure. There are two types of manometers, analog and digital. The most basic and simplest form of an analog is the U-Tube manometer, a glass or rubber tube bent in the shape of a “U” where numbers are listed and spaced every inch on each side, and water is placed in between the bends of the “U”. When pressure is applied, either positively or negatively, the water moves to indicate the pressure behind it expressed in inches of water column (inWC). Inches of water column is the most common form of measurement in the HVAC industry when measuring static or gas pressure, although other units of measure are available and used worldwide. One of the most common analog types is the Magnehelic® gauge. These are found many times installed by the manufacturer of the system so that contractors can easily read the pressure of the system. However standalone digital manometers have become the new industry standard when it comes to measuring static pressure. With a higher accuracy readout, optional dual ports, additional parameters and readouts, in many cases they are much easier to use.

Why Should You Use a Manometer?

Static pressure is the amount of pressure a fan pushes or pulls against in order to move air throughout HVACs ducting. To imagine static pressure in a simple form, imagine the pressure in a tire, this is static pressure pushing against the inside of the tire to inflate it. One of the most overlooked opportunities for a service technician is to offer customers improved HVAC system performance. There are many ways to improve a systems performance – adding larger or additional ducts; finding and repairing pinch points and restrictions; installing dampers; balancing the system; and adjusting the fan’s speed.   A national study performed by NCI shows that the average inefficient HVAC system was performing at 55% of its rated capacity. That means that a customer is paying 45% more than they need to for the electricity to run their inefficient system.

Balancing static pressure is one of the most important factors in HVAC systems design. To put it simply, static pressure refers to the resistance to airflow in a HVAC system’s duct work and its components. The pressure (push) of the air must be greater than that of the resistance to the flow or air will not circulate properly or efficiently through the ducts.

If the static pressure exceeds the fans designed specifications the results will be a system with poor or low airflow. While simple maintenance, replacing restrictive air filters and cleaning dirty fans and coils, will increase airflow, if the static pressure in the system is over or under the designed conditions, the system will never operate at full efficiency or capacity. This can result in more unsatisfied customer call backs and the possibility of future equipment failure.

The Fieldpiece SDMN6 a trusted solution.

The SDMN6 also measures gas pressure up to +/- 60” WC (inWC) with a resolution of 0.1”, helping to determine if the gas pressure coming out of the house or regulator is correct. Static pressure readings up to +/- 2” WC with a resolution of 0.010” WC which will enable technicians to measure small differences in the static pressure. The instrument’s ability to read both positive and negative pressure allows for it to be used to measure vacuum control lines. The easy–to–read dual display shows the selected port on the upper display while the differential pressure is displayed below it, without the need to scroll through the display or make calculations. A zero button allows for a simple zero adjust bringing the meter to different ambient pressures. The included static pressure probes significantly improve the accuracy while allowing for an easier and simple setup.

With four different units of measurement to choose from (inWC, mmWC, mBar, and PSI), whatever measurement is required by the manufacturer can easily be selected and read. A brightly lit backlight display illuminates for ease of use no matter how dark the area you are working in. Additionally, the SDMN6 features an APO (auto power off) function to help conserve the life of the battery, a magnetic strap for “hands free” operation, and a carrying case that fits the manometer, all its accessories, and a few universal pressure switches. Backed by world class technical support and one of the industry’s best warranty services, you can rest assured you and your tools are in good hands.

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Tech Articles

Why True RMS Meters in HVAC/R

true rms meter

If the loads you measure are controlled to do more than go on and off, you may need a true rms meter. Here’s why.

DC voltages and DC current values don’t change if there is no change in the load or supply. The formulas for power are very simple. Power=voltage X current.

AC voltages and currents change very quickly, even if the load isn’t changing. Formulas for power can be very complex. RMS values are used to be able to simplify the relationships of current and voltage to power on AC lines. RMS values on AC lines can be used in the same basic formulas as for DC.

The AC voltage for a 120VAC power line varies from 0 to +169V to 0 to -169V and back to 0. It does this cycle 60 times a second. If the load is a resistive load, like a heater, the current will go up and down exactly the same as the voltage. The “waveforms” (the plot of voltage or current vs. time) will look the same. They will be sine waves. Nice smooth waveforms that go, in the case of a 120VAC line, from 0 to 169V to 0 to –169V and back to zero, 60 times a second.

The convention for hand held meters is to display the value that’s “equivalent” to the DC value. By “equivalent”, they mean the value that will work in the simple power calculations for DC. This way, you can easily use the value in the same power formula: power= volts X amps. This is the “rms” (root mean square) value.

Most DMMs and clamp meters display the rms value for a sine wave. They call this “average responding, rms indicating”. The inner workings of the DMM measure the “average” value and then apply a multiplier to display a reading that’s equivalent to the rms value of a sine wave. In the example above, the rms value is 120V.

In HVAC/R, most signals are sine waves because most loads are AC motors. The shape of the voltage and current waveforms for AC motors are sine waves. For sine waves, an “average” measuring meter will give you the same exact reading as a true RMS meter.

However not all waveforms in HVAC/R are sine waves. Variable speed fan motors can have non-sine wave forms for voltage and current. Also some control signals and heaters. For these, in order to get a number that is equivalent to the DC value that you can use in power formulas, you need a “true rms” meter. This meter, deep down in its inner workings, actually measures the rms value, not the average. It requires extra circuitry and therefore cost more than a more common average responding, rms indicating meter. All true rms meters have a limited ability to accurately measure waveforms that have peaks that are much different from the nominal reading, specified as the “crest factor”.

In practice, the equipment manufacturer will specify when you need a true rms meter. If the service manuals say you need a true RMS meter, chances are there is a variable speed motor and you need a true rms meter. If the operators manuals don’t say you need it, unless you know otherwise (a variable speed fan motor, for example), you probably won’t notice a difference.

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Tech Articles

HVAC/R Instruments Vital in Military Effort

hvac military

from the article:

The Right Stuff for Use in the Field
by Jack Sine
June 28, 2010
theNEWS
achrnews.com

“They’re a critical part of the work HVACR technicians do. Often called “tools of the trade,” the instruments and tools a technician has in his bag are almost as important to him as his expertise. A tech can possess all the knowledge and experience in the world, but if one of his tools fails or is inaccurate, it can really ruin his day and do damage to his employer’s business. In the case of Warren Brader and his crew, lives could literally hang in the balance…”

Fieldpiece test instruments are essential in keeping military communications up and running around the world.

Click here to read the rest of the story as told in the ACHR News.

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Press Releases

Fieldpiece Instruments Opens UK Office for Sales and Customer Service

sales and technical service

Orange, Calif., April 25, 2019 – As part of its international development strategy, Fieldpiece Instruments (www.fieldpiece.com) is pleased to announce the opening of its UK office to add to Fieldpiece’s Europe operation and to provide sales and customer service in the United Kingdom. The office will also serve as a technical support and warranty service facility to Europe as a whole.

Fieldpiece is a United States-based company established in 1989 to focus solely on creating tools for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals.  One of the leading brands in the US, Fieldpiece is now expanding into the European market.

Since the beginning of the company, Fieldpiece has maintained its focus on the HVACR professional. All Fieldpiece products are designed to enhance the ability of engineers to do their jobs easier, faster, and with more precision. To ensure durability, each product goes through rigorous field testing before being sold into the market.

“Along with our warehouse in The Netherlands, moving into this new office in England allows us to better serve our customers in Europe,” said Russell Harju, president of European operations. “We are excited that Michael Harris, an experienced HVACR professional, is heading up the office as General Manager of the European team.”

Michael Harris MInstR has a Mechanical Engineering background and is a member of the UK based Institute of Refrigeration. For more than 27 years, Harris led sales and managed new business development worldwide in all sectors of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. He joined Fieldpiece Instruments BV in September 2017 to take on the challenge of establishing the European entity and in particular developing the UK potential market. “We’re opening our doors in England because of the considerable potential the UK region has to offer. We look forward to Fieldpiece being part of the growing HVACR community here,” said Harris.

The new office is located at:
Fieldpiece Instruments B.V.
Newton House
Northampton Science Park
Kings Park Road
Moulton Park Industrial Estate
Northampton, England NN3 6LG

Telephone: +44 16 04 65 41 64; E-mail: europe@www.fieldpiece.com

For sales and technical service outside of the United Kingdom, distributors and engineers can contact the Fieldpiece Madrid office at + 31 20 2146 500.

Fieldpiece Instruments corporate office is located at 1636 West Collins Ave., Orange CA 92867. For more information about our products please visit our website at http://www.fieldpiece.com or call us at +1.714.634.1844.

ABOUT FIELDPIECE

Formed in 1989, Orange County, Calif.-based Fieldpiece Instruments has become the leading manufacturer of professional-grade, hand-held instruments for HVACR field service.

Over the course of its history, Fieldpiece narrowed its focus to serve the HVACR industry exclusively. Product features inspired by real world use make Fieldpiece Instruments the leading choice of HVACR field technicians. While innovation fuels product development at Fieldpiece, the company’s original mission holds true to this day: To provide the network of test tools HVACR pros trust to do more. Please visit our website at http://www.fieldpiece.com or call +1 714.634.1844. Follow us on Facebook and watch our YouTube Channel.