What is PS Bar and PT Bar Pressure

#1: Post by JK » February 17th, 2016, 2:38 am

My Fiorenzato Bricoletta HX espresso machine's label has two Bar ranges 2 PS Bar and 3 PT Bar

I'm wondering what that stands for.. I can't find it doing an google search..

I'm trying to understand if I am adjusting my Bar pressure too high..
I'm at the fluctuating range of 1.8-2.0 now..
This is a pic of my gauge

My E-61 Group Temp. is 210°

I have read a lot of people have there E-61's at 214° and 1.1 Bar
I'm not sure if the gauge is off or I just need guidance..

#2: Post by **Mad Wally** » February 17th, 2016, 7:18 am

PS and PT refer to the pressure equipment directive (PED) which is the European law regarding pressure equipment.

PS is the design pressure and is the maximum pressure the equipment is allowed to operate at. Safety devices must be set in such a way that this pressure is not exceeded during normal operation.

PT is the test pressure. It is the pressure used for the hydrostatic pressure test and should be at least 1.43 times PS

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #3: Post by **erics** » February 17th, 2016, 7:30 am

I'm trying to understand if I am adjusting my Bar pressure too high..

You are waaaaay too high. A reasonable pressure for that machine is 1.00 bar max (when the heating element just turns off).

For Walter - nice write up on European requirements. Did the "1.43 value" come from the document you cited?

#4: Post by **Mad Wally** » February 17th, 2016, 7:44 am

erics wrote:For Wally - nice write up on European requirements. Did the "1.43 value" come from the document you cited?

Yes is does, Directive 97/23/EC Annex 1 par. 7.4

February 17th, 2016, 6:35 pm

What temp should I want my group head to be?
At 1.1 Bar its runs at 195°

http://users.rcn.com/erics/ · #6: Post by **erics** » February 18th, 2016, 7:25 am

What temp should I want my group head to be?

I would say 196-197 F but that is really a user preference.

The issue I see is that your grouphead temperature (how are you measuring this?) and your 1.10 bar (maximum?) boiler pressure do not correlate. Something is amiss with either your pressure gage or your temperature instrument.