Manifold gauges are used to monitor heating or cooling systems, specifically the pressure of refrigerants. These tools are used to control the flow of pressure or gas.
Manifold gauges are used to remove contaminated or unknown blend refrigerants from the air conditioning systems, reducing the chance of cross-contaminating a service machine.
For easier use, valve wheels for the high and low sides are identified by the colour - the low-side handwheel is made of blue plastic or has a blue decal in its centre, whereas the high-side handwheel is marked with red colour. The manifold body may also have a sight glass to observe the flow of the refrigerant.
The gauges used with a refrigeration gauge manifold are either analogue (with an indicator needle) or digital. In an analogue gauge, the position of the needle concerning the numbers on the gauge face indicates the pressure or vacuum in the refrigeration system, whereas digital gauges provide a numerical reading, indicating system pressure or vacuum.
Digital manifold gauges began to rise in popularity due to the readings a technician can get quickly and reliably.
