Pipe dry testing kits are categorised by the unit of pressure measurement on the scale of a gauge. Pipe dry testing kits are commonly measured in bar, but often come with a scale that reads psi (pounds per square Inch) and sometimes kPa (kiloPascals).
As dry pipe testing involves testing smaller pressures, these types of gauges are only available with a scale reading of 0-4 bar (0-60 psi and 0-400 kPa). Over-pressuring a pipe system can cause damage to the pipes or even the equipment being used to test the pipes.
For testing different types of pipe systems, gauges that allow higher pressure readings to be taken are available.
Oil is sometimes present in the display to dampen the reading – that is, to prevent the needle reacting too quickly and swinging either side of the reading point before it settles.
The measuring ranges of domestic pipe testing kits can vary from 0-25 bar. The pressure of domestic pipe systems doesn’t usually exceed 4-5 bar. However, 7-8 bar can be reached when there is a spike in pressure.
Pressure spikes can occur when air is trapped within the pipes of a system.
Industrial pipe testing kits can measure pressures of up to 4000 bar.
Testing gauges can also be purchased with faces of different sizes. Larger faces will enable the user to read the scale easier, and smaller faces will be useful for systems in confined spaces.