To: Nancy Myers

From: Christopher Tyler

Date: January 27, 2022
Re: APLED 121- Instructions Report

TESTING GAS PRESSURE WITH A MANOMETER

A manometer is simple instrument to measure and indicate pressure in gas appliances.

Manometers measure gas pressure in inches of water column. We can adjust this pressure to the
correct inches of water column to ensure that our appliance is firing correctly. Low pressure will
lower the efficiency of your furnace and lead to an increase in condensation of burned gases.
This is not good for your furnace. Manometers can be both analog and digital. The Testo 510 is a
digital manometer. Digital manometers are portable in size, weigh less and have easy digital
displays compared to analog manometers.

TOOLS NEEDED

• Manometer
• Gas Valve (Where we adjust pressure)
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Threaded Brass Fitting (Comes with Monometer)
• Hose (Comes with Monometer)
• Allen Wrench (Size may vary depending on gas valve)

TESTO 510 MANOMETER

Positive Pressure Negative Pressure Nipple

Nipple

Digital Display

“Zero” Out Button

Mode Button

Power Button
 TESTING MANIFOLD PRESSURE

1. Remove the Testo 510 from its protective case.

2. Make sure the gas and power to your appliance is turned off before proceeding to the next
steps.
3. Using the correct sized Allen wrench remove the cap from the manifold pressure tap.
This is the pressure tap on the same side of the gas valve where your gas valve is
connected to the manifold to supply your furnace gas (Usually on the right-hand side of
the gas valve).

Remove the cap from

the manifold pressure
tap on the gas valve
using an Allen wrench.

4. After removal of the cap, insert the threaded brass fitting into one end of your hose.
Attach the other end of your hose to the positive pressure nipple of the manometer.

The Brass Fitting

inserted into the
hose.
5. Connect the end of your hose with the brass fitting to the manifold pressure tap. Make
sure the connection is tight to avoid leakage. However, do not overtighten or it can
damage the threading of both the inlet tap and brass fitting.

The Brass Fitting connected to the

manifold pressure tap.

6. Using the power button turn on your manometer and make sure it is reading in inches of
water column. This is displayed by inH20 on the manometer.
7. Zero out the manometer using the button.
8. Turn on the gas and power to the furnace and make a call for heat (turn heat on
thermostat) to the appliance.
9. Your manometer will now display the manifold gas pressure in inches of water column
that it reads. Typically, we want 3.5” inH20 for manifold pressure reading.

3.5” inH20 is the reading we need

for manifold pressure on the
manometer.
 10. To adjust manifold pressure, we need to remove the cap from the pressure regulator
adjustment on the gas valve using a flathead screwdriver.

A screwdriver is used to remove the

pressure regulator cap to allow for
pressure adjustments.

11. After the cap is removed, pressure can be adjusted by inserting your screwdriver and
rotating clockwise to increase pressure or counterclockwise to lower pressure.

Turning the pressure regulator Turning the pressure regulator

adjustment with your screwdriver adjustment clockwise with your
counterclockwise DECREASES manifold screwdriver INCREASES manifold
pressure. pressure.
 12. After the manifold pressure has been adjusted to 3.5 in H2O you can screw the cap back
onto the pressure regulator port.
13. Shut off the gas and power to the furnace.
14. Unscrew the brass fitting from the manifold pressure tap and screw the cap tightly back
on to avoid future gas leaks.

The manometer is an essential tool for all HVAC technicians to include in

their toolset and supplies us with vital information for safety and regulations.
Gas can be a dangerous element when not under pressure regulations,
especially in a gas furnace with an open flame. Be sure to always turn off the
gas supply when connecting and disconnecting the manometer from the gas
valve.