The device measures pressure, temperature, flow, and other parameters. Five different ranges are available from ±30 inches of water column to ±100 psi.

These awards recognize companies in the manufacturing industry that drive the region’s economy and grow through innovation and strategic evolution.

These ruggedized electrical meters can reach into cramped openings or crowded cabinets while providing an open-jaw design for current measurements and large-diameter cables up to 15.5-mm diameter.

With a wireless range of over 100 feet between the scale and the remote or smartphone, and compatibility with Job Link, technicians can quickly obtain the necessary measurements on the refrigerant.

Advancements in technology have brought a lot of opportunity to the tool market, with items like reporting, mobile apps, and wireless data transmission.

Ergonomics can be defined as the science of designing the job to fit the worker rather than physically forcing the worker’s body to fit the job. In the HVAC world, this means making tools as user-friendly to a technician’s body as possible.

Airflow is a general term that’s easy to misinterpret. When I first learned about airflow, I had to classify it into four values that made sense to me. The easiest options are the measurement location or source of the airflow reading.

The 8 CFM Vacuum Pump from Fieldpiece Instruments earned its place atop the Electronic and Hand Tools category.

Taking home the golden honors in the Testing and Monitoring category of this year’s Dealer Design Awards is the T6 Electrical Tester from Fluke Corp. The product, first introduced to the marketplace in September 2017, went through years of research before launching.

Many technicians have strong feelings about the tools they use. They like certain brands and dislike others, which is why most contractors leave the tool buying to the technicians themselves.