Digital Cleanroom Pressure Monitoring Gauge (AI-DDPG)
The pressure between two rooms, shown as a number that no one has to interpret. A digital cleanroom pressure gauge with a built-in sensor, an LED readout, alarms you can set, and a link to your monitoring system, made to fit the opening an analog Magnehelic® gauge leaves behind.
Differential Pressure
An analog gauge shows a pressure. The AI-DDPG does more with it.
The Ace Instruments AI-DDPG is a digital differential pressure gauge for cleanrooms, laminar air flow cabinets, biosafety cabinets, and air handling units. It does the job of an analog Magnehelic® gauge, which is showing the pressure difference between two points, and adds the functions a controlled environment now expects: a precise digital reading, alarms, unit selection, an offset for audits, and communication with a central system.
The gauge has an integrated sensor and a 30 mm deep body made for cleanroom modular walls. It fits existing Magnehelic® gauge cutouts, so replacing an analog gauge does not mean cutting the wall again.
Measure, display, alarm, report
An integrated high speed sensor measures the pressure difference between the two points you connect, and the gauge shows the result on a 4 digit red LED display. A front key switches the unit between Pascals and mm.W.C. You set the high and low alarm points to suit the room, and the buzzer sounds when the pressure passes either one. The operator acknowledges the alarm once the condition has been noticed. The reading also leaves the gauge over isolated RS-485 Modbus, or as an optional isolated 4 to 20 mA signal, so a BMS, SCADA system, or PLC can use it.
Quiet once it has been seen
The buzzer sounds when the pressure passes a high or low limit. After the operator has noted the condition, the acknowledgement facility silences the buzzer, so the room stays quiet while the cause is checked. The limits come from your own requirements for each boundary.
The same reading in both units, selected with the front key.
Built for controlled environments
4 Digit LED Readout
A red 7 segment display with 0.8 inch digits, easy to read at the wall
Fits Existing Magnehelic® Cutouts
The body is 4.5 inch across, so it drops into the opening of an analog gauge
Integrated High Speed Sensor
Enabling users to see real time data, including small pressure changes
High and Low Alarm Points
Set by you to match each room or process
Buzzer with Acknowledgement
The operator confirms the alarm once it has been seen, and the buzzer stops
Front Panel Keys and Indicators
Keys for programming, adjusting values, and selecting the unit or acknowledging, with LEDs for LO, HI, and COM and for the selected unit
Unit Conversion
Pascals or mm.W.C. from the front panel
Isolated RS-485 Modbus and Optional 4 to 20 mA Output
Reaches BMS, SCADA, and PLC systems over Modbus, with an optional isolated 4 to 20 mA output for equipment with analog inputs
30 mm Depth
Made for cleanroom modular wall fitment
±0.5% of Full Scale Accuracy
Suited to environments where the pressure relationship matters
Where the AI-DDPG is used
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Shows whether each classified production area is holding the pressure that protects it from the rooms around it
Biotechnology Facilities
Confirms the pressure conditions that protect sensitive processes and products
Hospital Operating Theatres
Lets staff check that a theatre keeps its intended pressure relationship with neighboring spaces
Isolation Rooms
Shows continuously whether the room is holding its pressure against the corridor, which is the basis of containment
Cleanrooms
Tracks the pressure between rooms, corridors, and airlocks, so air keeps moving from cleaner areas toward less clean ones
Biosafety Laboratories
Monitors the pressure that keeps hazardous material contained and protects operators
Laminar Air Flow Cabinets
Confirms the pressure condition that supports a protected work zone
Air Handling Units and HVAC
Measures the pressure across filters and stages, so a rising value tells maintenance when to look
Solar Manufacturing
Monitors pressure in cell and module production areas, where airborne particles can affect product quality
Data Centers
Monitors pressure across filters and cooling airflow paths, so airflow stays consistent and maintenance knows when to look
Semiconductor Manufacturing
Gives fabrication and assembly areas a continuous pressure reading where particles matter
Pressure at every boundary, and across every filter
Pressure at Every Boundary
A pressure cascade is a chain of boundaries, and each one has its own required difference. A gauge at each boundary turns the cascade into a set of readings that can be checked in seconds. When one value drifts, the alarm points to the boundary that needs attention, which saves a search for the cause. Typical monitoring points are a cleanroom and its corridor, an airlock and the room beside it, and an isolation room and its hallway.
Filters and Air Handling Units
Across a HEPA or other filter, the reading is the pressure drop. A slow rise is the normal sign of loading, and it helps maintenance plan an inspection. A sudden change can point to a blocked or leaking path. The same use applies to AHU stages and any point where airflow meets resistance.
Units and the Offset Provision
Different departments and project specifications use different pressure units, and the front key lets one gauge serve them all. The offset provision applies a correction to the reading and keeps it traceable, which helps when an audit asks how a measurement has been adjusted. Record any offset you apply in your calibration documents.
Connecting to Monitoring Systems
Isolated RS-485 Modbus carries the pressure value to a BMS, SCADA system, or PLC, so readings from many boundaries are collected in one place. The optional isolated 4 to 20 mA output offers an analog route to the same value for control and monitoring equipment. Time stamping and record keeping happen in the receiving system, not in the gauge.
Moving from an analog Magnehelic® gauge
The AI-DDPG is a digital replacement for an analog Magnehelic® gauge, and it fits the existing cutout. The round body of the gauge is 4.5 inch across, which matches the opening left by the gauge it replaces, so the swap needs no new hole. You lose nothing in readability, because the LED digits show the exact value, and you gain alarms, unit selection, an offset, and outputs.
Measure the opening of the gauge you are replacing before you order, and tell us the pressure range you need, because ranges and tubing connections can differ between gauges.
If you prefer another display, the Differential Pressure Indicator (LCD Display) shows the pressure on a graphic LCD, and the DDPG TFT adds a visual alarm on a TFT screen.
Box and stainless steel flush mount kit
For cleanroom walls, the AI-DDPG is also available with a box and a stainless steel flush mount kit. The box holds the gauge behind the wall surface, and the stainless steel front plate sits flush with the wall, so the finished installation is smooth and easy to clean.
Choose the kit when you are fitting a new cleanroom wall panel or when you want the gauge to match the other stainless steel flush plates in the room.
Technical specifications
-25.0 to +25.0 mm.W.C.
-50.0 to +50.0 mm.W.C.
0.0 to +100.0 mm.W.C.
-100 to +100 Pa
-250 to +250 Pa
0 to 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000 Pa
Any other range factory set to customer specification
Light upkeep
Maintenance is light. Check the pressure tubing and connections, clean the front when needed, and calibrate or verify the gauge on the schedule your quality system sets. The right interval depends on how critical the measurement is.
Supports regulated facilities
Continuous pressure monitoring is part of how classified areas are controlled under ISO 14644 and EU GMP Annex 1. The AI-DDPG assists you in meeting that expectation by giving a continuous reading, an alarm, and a link to your monitoring system. The offset provision supports audit documentation, and the electronic record, with its audit trail, is kept by the system that receives the data.
The gauge does not replace your qualification work, and your own product, process, and classification set the pressure limits. Ace Instruments manufactures under an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the AI-DDPG Digital Cleanroom Pressure Monitoring Gauge?
The AI-DDPG is a digital differential pressure indicator designed to continuously measure the pressure difference between two locations. It is developed for controlled environments such as cleanrooms, laminar airflow cabinets, biosafety cabinets, pharmaceutical facilities, laboratories, and AHUs.
2. Why is differential pressure important in a cleanroom?
Maintaining the correct pressure relationship between rooms helps control the direction of airflow and reduces the risk of contaminants moving from less controlled areas into critical areas. Continuous differential pressure monitoring helps operators identify pressure deviations before they affect cleanroom conditions.
3. Where can the AI-DDPG be installed?
The AI-DDPG can be used in pharmaceutical manufacturing areas, biotechnology facilities, hospitals, operating theatres, isolation rooms, cleanrooms, biosafety laboratories, HVAC and AHU systems, solar manufacturing, data centers, and semiconductor manufacturing environments.
4. Can the AI-DDPG monitor pressure between two cleanrooms?
Yes. The instrument can be connected between two pressure zones to continuously display the differential pressure. This makes it suitable for monitoring pressure cascades between cleanrooms, airlocks, corridors, and other controlled areas.
5. Can the AI-DDPG monitor both positive and negative pressure?
Yes. Positive, negative, and bidirectional differential pressure ranges are available. The appropriate range can be selected according to the pressure relationship and operating conditions of the application.
6. Can the digital gauge replace a traditional Magnehelic® gauge?
Yes. The AI-DDPG is designed as a digital alternative to conventional analog differential pressure gauges, and it fits existing Magnehelic® gauge cutouts. In addition to a digital reading, it provides features such as alarm functionality, unit conversion, an optional 4 to 20 mA output, and RS-485 Modbus communication.
7. How does the built-in pressure sensor simplify installation?
The gauge incorporates an integrated high speed differential pressure sensor. This means a separate external pressure transmitter is not required for many applications, which helps simplify the pressure monitoring installation.
8. What type of display is provided?
The instrument uses an integrated 4 digit red LED 7 segment display with 0.8 inch characters. This provides a clear local indication of the measured differential pressure.
9. Can the pressure reading be displayed in different units?
Yes. The instrument supports conversion between Pascals and mm.W.C. through the front panel controls. This is useful when different departments or project specifications use different pressure units.
10. Does the AI-DDPG provide an alarm when pressure goes outside the required range?
Yes. A built-in buzzer provides an alert when a configured pressure limit is violated. The alarm also includes an acknowledgement facility, allowing the operator to acknowledge the alarm after the condition has been recognized.
11. Can high and low pressure alarm limits be configured?
Yes. High and low alarm set points can be configured according to the requirements of the cleanroom or process. This allows the gauge to provide an alert when the pressure moves outside the defined operating limits.
12. Can the differential pressure reading be connected to a BMS?
Yes. The AI-DDPG supports isolated RS-485 Modbus communication. It can therefore be integrated with BMS, SCADA, and PLC systems for centralized monitoring of differential pressure.
13. Is a 4 to 20 mA output available?
Yes. An optional isolated 4 to 20 mA analog output is available for connection to compatible automation and monitoring systems. This provides another option for transmitting the differential pressure value to a control system.
14. What pressure ranges are available?
The available ranges include -10 to +10 mm.W.C., -25 to +25 mm.W.C., -50 to +50 mm.W.C., 0 to +100 mm.W.C., -100 to +100 Pa, -250 to +250 Pa, and various 0 to positive ranges from 10 Pa up to 1000 Pa. Other ranges can be factory set according to customer specifications.
15. How accurate is the differential pressure measurement?
The specified accuracy is ±0.5% of full scale. The appropriate pressure range should be selected carefully so that the gauge provides suitable measurement capability for the application’s normal operating pressure.
16. Is the AI-DDPG suitable for cleanroom modular walls?
Yes. The gauge has a compact 30 mm depth designed to support installation on cleanroom modular walls. This makes it suitable for applications where space and a neat wall mounted installation are important.
17. Can the gauge be used for HEPA filter or HVAC monitoring?
Yes. Differential pressure measurement can be used to monitor pressure drop across filters and HVAC systems. An increasing pressure differential can provide an indication that a filter or airflow path may require inspection or maintenance.
18. What maintenance is required for the AI-DDPG?
Routine maintenance is minimal. Periodic calibration, inspection of the pressure tubing and connections, and routine cleaning are recommended to maintain reliable operation. Calibration intervals should be determined according to the facility’s quality procedures and application requirements.
19. Does the AI-DDPG fit an existing Magnehelic® gauge cutout?
Yes. The round body of the AI-DDPG is 4.5 inch across, so it fits the cutout of an existing Magnehelic® gauge. Measure the opening of the gauge you are replacing before ordering, and confirm the pressure range and tubing connections with us.
20. Is a flush mount kit available for the AI-DDPG?
Yes. The AI-DDPG is available with a box and a stainless steel flush mount kit for cleanroom walls. The kit lets the stainless steel front plate sit flush with the wall for a smooth, easy to clean finish.
Need help choosing?
Tell us your pressure range, unit, and mounting arrangement and our application engineers will configure the right AI-DDPG for you.
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