The Most Frequently Used HVAC Tools
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals are trained to deal with a variety of complex systems that are responsible for residential and commercial heating and cooling. Most technicians carry a selection of basic tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and drills that are used on every job. Technicians also use many specialized pieces of equipment that are designed to deal with the most common components of a system. These tools can be divided into several broad categories although there are many more pieces of equipment that can be used in very specific circumstances.
Cutters
Dealing with ventilation is one of the more common jobs for a professional. The ducts and ventilation systems are normally made from sheet metal that has been formed into a long passageway for air. A technician must sometimes install a completely new ventilation system or must repair existing ductwork. This requires the use of special cutters that are designed to work with the sheet metal. The most common are tin snips and straight shears that can be used to make clean cuts. Crimpers and awls allow finer details to be pressed into the metal so that it fits the system better. Most professionals also carry some type of portable handheld electrical saw that can be used to cut quickly through dense materials.
Gauges
Gauges are one of the most important tools that a technician must use when dealing with refrigeration or cooling systems. The gauges measure pressure within a system and are able to regulate the pressure when draining or filling a system. The gauges for refrigerant usually come attached to a special brass fitting that is called a manifold. The manifold connects to long hoses that are attached to the refrigeration system. Gauges make it possible to safely deal with pressurized systems without risking damage to the equipment.
Electrical Testing Tools
Heating and cooling systems use electricity for a variety of different functions. An HVAC technician must be able to measure and possibly repair problems with the electrical system that could be causing the heater or cooler to malfunction. Electrical testing tools make it possible to detect problems and avoid injuries. A sensor is a very basic device that indicates where there is an electrical signal passing through a wire or circuit. A multimeter is a more complex device that can provide more details such as the amount of electricity that is present and the resistance in a wire.
Pipe Wrenches
Every technician must carry a set of pipe wrenches. These very heavy adjustable wrenches are used to grasp and turn pieces of pipe. These are used when dealing with a system that employs gas as a fuel source. Other types of wrenches are unable to turn the type of piping that is used to construct a gas heating system safely.
Refrigerant Equipment
Dealing with refrigerant is a very common task when performing HVAC maintenance. Vacuum pumps and refrigeration pumps are some of the largest and most expensive pieces of equipment that a technician will use. The pumps are designed to remove refrigerant from a system safely and to replace it with new fluid. These pumps are necessary because refrigerant is very harmful and can be difficult to deal with. The pumps are also used to recharge existing systems that just need to have a small amount of fluid or pressure restored.
This article was written on behalf of Cool Zone Services Inc. A leading provider of HVAC & commercial refridgeration service in London, Ontario. Visit us today at http://www.coolzoneservicesinc.com/ to learn more.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals are trained to deal with a variety of complex systems that are responsible for residential and commercial heating and cooling. Most technicians carry a selection of basic tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and drills that are used on every job. Technicians also use many specialized pieces of equipment that are designed to deal with the most common components of a system. These tools can be divided into several broad categories although there are many more pieces of equipment that can be used in very specific circumstances.Cutters
Dealing with ventilation is one of the more common jobs for a professional. The ducts and ventilation systems are normally made from sheet metal that has been formed into a long passageway for air. A technician must sometimes install a completely new ventilation system or must repair existing ductwork. This requires the use of special cutters that are designed to work with the sheet metal. The most common are tin snips and straight shears that can be used to make clean cuts. Crimpers and awls allow finer details to be pressed into the metal so that it fits the system better. Most professionals also carry some type of portable handheld electrical saw that can be used to cut quickly through dense materials.
Gauges
Gauges are one of the most important tools that a technician must use when dealing with refrigeration or cooling systems. The gauges measure pressure within a system and are able to regulate the pressure when draining or filling a system. The gauges for refrigerant usually come attached to a special brass fitting that is called a manifold. The manifold connects to long hoses that are attached to the refrigeration system. Gauges make it possible to safely deal with pressurized systems without risking damage to the equipment.
Electrical Testing Tools
Heating and cooling systems use electricity for a variety of different functions. An HVAC technician must be able to measure and possibly repair problems with the electrical system that could be causing the heater or cooler to malfunction. Electrical testing tools make it possible to detect problems and avoid injuries. A sensor is a very basic device that indicates where there is an electrical signal passing through a wire or circuit. A multimeter is a more complex device that can provide more details such as the amount of electricity that is present and the resistance in a wire.
Pipe Wrenches
Every technician must carry a set of pipe wrenches. These very heavy adjustable wrenches are used to grasp and turn pieces of pipe. These are used when dealing with a system that employs gas as a fuel source. Other types of wrenches are unable to turn the type of piping that is used to construct a gas heating system safely.
Refrigerant Equipment
Dealing with refrigerant is a very common task when performing HVAC maintenance. Vacuum pumps and refrigeration pumps are some of the largest and most expensive pieces of equipment that a technician will use. The pumps are designed to remove refrigerant from a system safely and to replace it with new fluid. These pumps are necessary because refrigerant is very harmful and can be difficult to deal with. The pumps are also used to recharge existing systems that just need to have a small amount of fluid or pressure restored.
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- License: Royalty Free or iStock source: depositphotos.com
This article was written on behalf of Cool Zone Services Inc. A leading provider of HVAC & commercial refridgeration service in London, Ontario. Visit us today at http://www.coolzoneservicesinc.com/ to learn more.
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