Methods for regular maintenance and cleaning of vacuum gauges

1、 Maintenance aspect

（1） Develop maintenance plan

1. Determine maintenance cycle: Develop a reasonable maintenance cycle based on factors such as the frequency of use of the vacuum gauge, working environment, and the importance of the vacuum system. Generally speaking, for high-frequency vacuum gauges and vacuum gauges in critical vacuum systems, the maintenance cycle can be relatively short, such as every 1 to 3 months; For vacuum gauges used at low frequencies or in non critical systems, the maintenance cycle can be appropriately extended, such as every 3 to 6 months.

2. Clarify maintenance content: List in detail in the maintenance plan the items that need to be checked and handled for each maintenance, including but not limited to visual inspection, sealing inspection of connection parts, electrical performance testing, calibration inspection, etc.

（2） Daily inspection

1. Appearance inspection: Regularly check the appearance of the vacuum gauge for damage, deformation, corrosion, and other conditions. If any abnormal appearance is found, the cause should be promptly identified and dealt with. For example, if corrosion is found on the surface of the vacuum gauge, it may be due to contact with corrosive gases or liquids, and corresponding protective measures need to be taken.

2. Connection inspection: Check whether the connection between the vacuum gauge and the vacuum system is well sealed. The sealing can be checked by observing whether there is a leakage sound at the connection point, using a leak detector for detection, or applying leak detection liquid. If poor sealing is found, the sealing gasket should be replaced or other sealing measures should be taken in a timely manner.

3. Electrical performance inspection: For electronic vacuum gauges, check whether the power connection is normal, whether the display is clear, and whether the signal output is stable. If abnormal electrical performance is found, timely maintenance or replacement of components should be carried out.

（3） Regular calibration

1. Calibration cycle: Determine the appropriate calibration cycle based on the accuracy requirements and usage of the vacuum gauge. Generally speaking, high-precision vacuum gauges have a shorter calibration cycle, such as every 6 months to 1 year; The calibration cycle of low precision vacuum gauges can be appropriately extended.

2. Calibration method: According to the user manual or relevant standards of the vacuum gauge, use an appropriate calibration method for calibration. Standard vacuum gauges, calibration devices, or commissioned professional organizations can be used for calibration. During the calibration process, it is necessary to strictly follow the operating procedures to ensure the accuracy of the calibration results.

2、 Cleaning aspect

（1） Cleaning timing

1. Regular cleaning: Clean the vacuum gauge regularly according to its usage environment and pollution level. Generally speaking, for heavily polluted environments or high-frequency vacuum gauges, the cleaning cycle can be shorter, such as cleaning every 1 to 3 months; For less polluted environments or vacuum gauges used at low frequencies, the cleaning cycle can be appropriately extended.

2. Cleaning of abnormal situations: If the reading of the vacuum gauge is abnormal, the display is unclear, or there are obvious signs of contamination, it should be cleaned in a timely manner. For example, when the reading of the vacuum gauge deviates significantly from the normal range, it may be due to contamination on the surface of the vacuum gauge, which affects the measurement accuracy and requires cleaning.

（2） Cleaning methods

1. Dry cleaning: For minor pollution, a clean lint free cloth or soft bristled brush can be used to gently wipe the surface of the vacuum gauge to remove dust and impurities. Be careful not to use hard brushes or rough fabrics to avoid scratching the surface of the vacuum gauge.

2. Wet cleaning: For more severe pollution, appropriate cleaning agents can be used for cleaning. When choosing a cleaning agent, make sure it does not cause corrosion or damage to the material of the vacuum gauge. Organic solvents such as alcohol, acetone, or specialized vacuum cleaner can be used. When using a cleaning agent, apply it to a clean cloth and gently wipe the surface of the vacuum gauge to avoid directly spraying the cleaning agent on the vacuum gauge.

3. Ultrasonic cleaning: For some difficult to clean parts or precision components, ultrasonic cleaning can be used. Place the components of the vacuum gauge into an ultrasonic cleaner, add an appropriate amount of cleaning agent, and clean according to the operating procedures of the cleaner. Ultrasonic cleaning can effectively remove small impurities and dirt, but attention should be paid to controlling the cleaning time and temperature to avoid damage to the vacuum gauge.

（3） Treatment after cleaning

1. Drying treatment: The cleaned vacuum gauge should be thoroughly dried to avoid residual cleaning agents or moisture affecting the performance of the vacuum gauge. You can use a clean, lint free cloth to dry the surface, or use a drying oven for drying.

2. Inspection and testing: After cleaning, the vacuum gauge should be inspected and tested to ensure its normal performance. Visual inspection, connection inspection, electrical performance testing, and calibration inspection can be performed to ensure that the vacuum gauge can function properly after cleaning.