Sanitary pressure gauges are devices used to measure the internal pressure of media within a system. Pressure gauges are used in a wide range of industrial applications for quality control and safety. The difference between pressure gauges and their sanitary counterparts is that sanitary pressure gauges typically include a non-porous housing that prevents the growth of bacteria and other contaminants that could otherwise make their way into the media they’re measuring, making sanitary gauges ideal for applications in the biopharma, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, dairy, healthcare, and research & development industries. More specifically, sanitary pressure gauges are essential instruments in processes that need to comply with sanitary standards from the USDA, FDA, and other government organizations.
When it comes to choosing the sanitary pressure gauge that is right for your application, there are three main factors that you should consider: the material the gauge is made out of, the connection/fittings needed for your application, and the type of seal used on the gauge. The material the sanitary pressure gauge is made of is an important consideration because different grades of stainless steel are preferable for different applications. For example, 304 stainless steel can be corroded by exposure to salt, while 316 stainless steel is strongly resistant to acids. Next, the type of connection is important when selecting a sanitary pressure gauge. Typically, sanitary pressure gauges use tri-clamp connections because they are easy to take apart and clean. Tri-clamp fittings also discourage bacterial growth, making them ideal for sanitary applications. One more factor to consider when selecting a sanitary pressure gauge for your application is the seal type. Knowing which sterilization process will be used in your application (clean-in-place or steam-in-place) can help you make the right decision on which type of seal you need.
If you have any questions about sanitary pressure gauges or why they may be necessary in your application, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Sentrol Life Sciences! We provide manufacturing facilities in New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and Eastern Canada with instrumentation sales, repair, calibration, and much more! Call us today at (888) 877-1778 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible! Visit our online store to purchase sanitary pressure gauges from industry-leading manufacturers like Ashcroft!