In any type of sanitary processing system, each component of the system that makes contact with the media flowing through the system has to be approved for sanitary use. This includes all valves, fittings, and gauges, as well as all piping, pumps, and other components.
In addition to being the correct material and design to meet these standards, the ideal sanitary pressure gauge has to be selected with consideration for the overall system. By keeping all factors of the system in mind, it is possible to find the right gauge to stand up to the working environment while still maintaining reliability and accuracy.
Accuracy Range
All types of sanitary pressure gauge types and sizes are rated for different ranges of accuracy. The more specific or fine the range of accuracy, the more precise the pressure reading. This is essential for specific types of applications where even small variations outside of a specific range are problematic for the quality of the material or for the process.
Pressure Range Within the System
A common mistake is to select a sanitary pressure gauge that is designed to operate within the system standard pressure levels. While this average pressure is important, it is both the high and low-pressure levels for the system that are most critical for the gauge to be able to read and register.
Accounting for pressure spikes and pressure drops during the system operation ensure that the gauge selected will provide the full scope of the readings required throughout processing.
Temperature Concerns
Sanitary processing systems may require various temperatures both for the media as well as ambient temperature fluctuations. Gauges can be impacted by temperature changes, with gauges calibrated to operate within a specific temperature range.
Choosing to use a gauge in a system that is outside of that temperature range increases the risk of reading errors, which can have a significant impact on the quality and consistency of the end product.
