Pressure testing is not only about the pressure reading.

It is also about timing.

A technician may need to start a test, hold pressure for a defined period, record the starting pressure, record the ending pressure, and prove that the result was captured during the required test window.

That sounds simple until the technician is working across multiple jobs, waiting on inspectors, moving between test points, checking fittings, handling paperwork, or relying on a phone photo and stopwatch to document the result.

That is the problem Vaetrix Timed Test Mode was built to solve.

The original JM Test article explains that Timed Test Mode allows the user to pre-set the recording duration before the test begins. Once the test is started, the gauge logs pressure for that defined period, stops automatically, and displays the start time/pressure, leak rate/change, and end time/pressure on one screen. 

For Canadian gas, utility, pressure testing, service and inspection teams, the value is practical:

• less manual timing
• less reliance on phone photos
• better pressure test documentation
• clearer start and end records
• automatic logging during the test window
• fewer missed end-time readings

What Is Timed Test Mode?

Timed Test Mode is a Vaetrix gauge feature that lets the user set the test duration before starting the pressure test.

The source JM Test article says the test period can be set anywhere from 1 minute to 24 hours. Once configured, the gauge records pressure for the selected time, then shuts off the recording automatically. 

The Vaetrix ETG/DTG manual supplement describes the same feature: the user pre-sets the recording period, starts the timed test, and the end results show start time/pressure, leak rate/change, and end time/pressure on one screen. 

That removes one of the most common field problems:

Someone has to remember to stop the test at exactly the right time.

With Timed Test Mode, the gauge handles the timing.

Why Timed Test Mode Was Created

The original JM Test article uses gas distribution testing as the example.

Historically, technicians performing residential gas service testing often recorded the start pressure, waited the required hold period, then recorded the end pressure manually. The source article says many technicians used phone photos to document the start and end gauge readings with timestamps. 

That workflow creates two obvious problems:

1. The technician has to remember to check the gauge at the exact end time.
2. There may be no record of what happened between the start and end reading unless someone watches the gauge the whole time.

Timed Test Mode improves that process because the gauge records during the test window and stops the log automatically.

It does not decide whether a test passes code or utility requirements.

It helps document the test more consistently.

How Timed Test Mode Helps Field Technicians

Timed Test Mode can help technicians because it makes the test workflow easier to repeat.

Instead of relying on memory, phone photos and handwritten notes, the technician can:

• select the required test duration
• start the test
• let the gauge record pressure during the defined period
• review the final start and end results
• see leak rate or pressure change on the display
• save the logging session where supported

The source article says Timed Test Mode keeps the test’s time frame valid and exact to the second, while also displaying leak rate in real time and at the end of the test. 

That is useful when the test duration is short enough to be easy to miss, but important enough that timing matters.

What the End Result Shows

At the end of the test, Timed Test Mode displays key information on one screen.

The Vaetrix manual supplement lists:

• start time
• start pressure
• leak rate/change
• end time
• end pressure 

This is useful because the technician does not have to reconstruct the test from separate photos, handwritten notes or memory.

The gauge presents the core test result in one place.

For teams that need better reporting, this can support cleaner field records and easier review.

Why This Matters for Gas Distribution Testing

Gas distribution and gas service testing often involve fixed test durations and clear documentation requirements.

The pressure reading alone is not enough.

The record usually needs to show:

• what was tested
• when the test started
• starting pressure
• test duration
• ending pressure
• pressure change or leak rate
• instrument used
• technician or crew
• test location
• whether the result met the required procedure

For Canadian work, exact test pressure, duration, allowable leakage and acceptance criteria should come from the adopted code edition, utility requirement, provincial or territorial rules, AHJ expectations, and the employer’s approved procedure.

CSA B149.1:25 includes changes related to leakage test requirements and allowable leakage rates, but adoption and enforcement depend on jurisdiction.  Alberta’s Safety Codes Council, for example, states that the 2025 editions of CSA B149.1 and B149.2 come into force in Alberta on March 1, 2026. 

So the Canadian article should not present one universal test time or pressure for every province, utility, pipe size or application.

Timed Test Mode vs Phone Photo Documentation

Phone photos are common because they are easy.

A technician can take a photo of the gauge at the start and another photo at the end. The timestamp helps show when the readings were captured.

But phone photos are not ideal.

Problems can include:

• missed end time
• blurry photo
• unreadable gauge
• wrong photo attached to the job
• no record of pressure movement between photos
• no clear leak rate or pressure change
• manual report building later
• inconsistent technician habits
• weak audit trail
• difficult inspector review

The source article says phone photo documentation was used as visual proof, but it also identifies the two major problems: remembering the exact end time and having no proof of what happened between start and finish. 

Timed Test Mode is a cleaner workflow because the gauge itself controls the test duration and records the pressure during the defined period.

Where Timed Test Mode Can Be Useful

Timed Test Mode can be useful anywhere a fixed-duration pressure test is required.

Possible use cases include:

• gas distribution service testing
• residential gas service checks
• low-pressure gas testing
• utility service work
• pressure decay testing
• pneumatic leak checks
• pressure integrity checks
• maintenance verification
• field service documentation
• QA checks on pressure systems
• equipment commissioning tests
• repeatable short-duration pressure tests

The original JM Test article focuses on residential gas service testing, but the underlying workflow is broader: set a test duration, record pressure, and document the pressure change automatically. 

Timed Test Mode Does Not Replace the Test Procedure

Timed Test Mode helps with timing and documentation.

It does not replace:

• the required test pressure
• required test duration
• approved test medium
• safety controls
• isolation procedure
• qualified worker requirements
• utility requirements
• code requirements
• AHJ requirements
• pass/fail criteria
• pressure test permit or approval where required
• final acceptance by the inspector, owner or utility

This distinction matters.

A gauge can record a test correctly, but the test can still be invalid if the wrong pressure, duration, procedure, medium or equipment setup was used.

Canadian Code and AHJ Context

For Canadian gas and pressure testing work, the correct procedure depends on the system being tested.

Different requirements may apply to:

• natural gas installations
• propane installations
• gas distribution service work
• utility piping
• pipeline work
• pressure vessels
• process piping
• pneumatic pressure testing
• hydrostatic pressure testing
• residential gas piping
• industrial gas systems

For federally regulated pipeline work, the Canadian Energy Regulator’s Onshore Pipeline Regulations require a company to develop a pressure testing program before putting a pipeline into service, and test charts or records referred to in CSA Z276 or CSA Z662 must be dated and signed by the company or its agent where applicable. 

For local gas piping and propane installations, confirm the adopted CSA B149.1 or B149.2 edition, provincial or territorial rules, utility requirements, and AHJ expectations.

Timed Test Mode helps create a better record, but the user still needs the correct regulatory and procedural basis for the test.

Pneumatic Pressure Testing Safety

Many gas and pressure integrity tests involve compressed gas.

Compressed gas stores energy. That makes pneumatic testing more hazardous than many people assume.

Technical Safety BC states that pneumatic testing is inherently more hazardous than a hydrostatic test under the same volume, pressure and temperature, so safety precautions must be based on the stored energy in the test. Transport Canada also says pneumatic pressure testing is inherently more hazardous than hydrostatic testing at the same volume, pressure and temperature because of the greater stored energy involved. 

Before performing a pressure test, confirm:

• approved test procedure
• test medium
• test pressure
• hold time
• pressure source
• hose and fitting ratings
• gauge range
• gauge accuracy
• calibration status
• pressure relief or overpressure protection
• isolation boundaries
• exclusion zone where required
• depressurization procedure
• leak check method
• worker qualifications
• required PPE
• emergency plan

A timed gauge feature does not remove pressure testing hazards.

Gauge Accuracy and Calibration Still Matter

Timed Test Mode improves workflow, but the pressure reading still depends on the gauge.

Before using a digital pressure gauge for test documentation, confirm:

• pressure range
• accuracy
• resolution
• media compatibility
• temperature conditions
• battery condition
• firmware feature availability
• calibration due date
• certificate type
• traceability
• test units
• zeroing procedure
• data export method
• whether pressure and temperature recording are both required

Vaetrix lists ETG Process Gauge features including 0.1% or 0.25% full-scale accuracy, datalogging up to 64,000 readings, dual pressure technology, high/low alarms and Bluetooth options.Vaetrix also lists its DTG2 Digital Test Gauge as having 0.1% full-scale accuracy over operating temperature, timed test function, leak test, min/max, and multi-session datalogging up to 32,000 samples with date, time, pressure and temperature. 

For Canadian calibration language, do not rely only on “NIST traceable” wording. NRC Canada’s Metrology Research Centre is Canada’s national metrology institute and provides accurate, traceable measurements that define the national standard.

ETG, DTG and Timed Test Workflows

The source JM Test article says Timed Test Mode is standard across Vaetrix product series and spotlights the ETG / ETG+TP series. 

Vaetrix’s ETG/DTG manual supplement also describes related features that can support pressure test work:

• datalogging
• sample-rate setup
• leak test
• min/max
• real-time clock
• snapshot capture
• gauge or absolute pressure mode
• temperature display on supported units
• timed test 

These features are useful because pressure testing often requires more than a single reading.

A strong test record may need:

• pressure over time
• start and end readings
• pressure change
• leak rate
• time stamp
• ambient or process temperature where required
• technician notes
• exported data
• report file
• calibration certificate reference

For the Canadian page, do not claim that every Vaetrix model or feature is available on every configuration. Confirm the exact model, firmware, pressure range, temperature option, software and reporting requirement before recommending the gauge.

Digital Gauges vs Analogue Gauges for Timed Tests

Analogue gauges are still useful.

They are simple, familiar and rugged. But they depend heavily on the technician reading and recording the value at the right time.

A digital timed test workflow can help reduce common manual errors.

Analogue Gauge Workflow

A technician may need to:

• note the start pressure manually
• start a timer separately
• return at the exact end time
• read the gauge again
• write the result down
• take photos for proof
• calculate pressure change manually

Vaetrix Timed Test Workflow

A technician can:

• set the test duration
• start the timed test
• let the gauge record during the test
• review start pressure, end pressure and leak rate/change
• keep the logged session where supported

This does not mean digital is always required.

It means a digital timed test mode can make short, repeatable, documentation-heavy pressure tests easier to manage.

What a Good Pressure Test Record Should Include

A useful pressure test record may include:

• customer or site name
• test location
• asset or service line ID
• test date
• technician
• gauge model
• gauge serial number
• calibration date
• calibration due date
• pressure range
• units
• test medium
• required test pressure
• required hold time
• starting pressure
• ending pressure
• pressure change or leak rate
• start time
• end time
• temperature where required
• pass/fail result
• procedure or code reference
• inspector or approver notes
• exported data or screenshots where applicable

The Canadian Energy Regulator requires test charts and other test records referred to in CSA Z276 or CSA Z662 to be dated and signed by the company or its agent for covered pipeline work.Even when that specific regulation does not apply, the same idea is useful: pressure test records should be clear, attributable and reviewable.

When Timed Test Mode Is Especially Useful

Timed Test Mode is most useful when the test is:

• short enough that the end time is easy to miss
• repeated many times by field crews
• reviewed by an inspector or supervisor
• performed in a customer-facing environment
• part of a utility service workflow
• dependent on clear start/end records
• vulnerable to manual documentation errors
• difficult to monitor continuously
• easier to defend with automated time and pressure records

A 10-minute test sounds easy.

But if the technician is interrupted, moves to another task, or needs to coordinate with another person, the exact end time can be missed.

Timed Test Mode reduces that risk.

When a Full Data Logging Report May Be Better

Timed Test Mode is useful for fixed-duration tests.

A more complete logging or reporting workflow may be better when the test needs:

• long-duration pressure trend
• temperature compensation or temperature record
• detailed chart
• multi-hour or multi-day test
• formal customer report
• hydrostatic test documentation
• multiple channels
• notes, photos or signatures
• tamper-resistant PDF output
• cloud upload
• report approval workflow

Vaetrix describes Hydro Data Management Software as supporting pressure and temperature graphing, custom test reports, notes, high/low alarms and PDF output for hydrostatic testing workflows. 

The right setup depends on the test record required by the customer, inspector, utility or code.

What to Confirm Before Using Timed Test Mode

Before using Timed Test Mode in the field, confirm:

• gauge model
• firmware feature availability
• pressure range
• accuracy
• calibration status
• selected units
• zero condition
• required test duration
• required test pressure
• allowed pressure change
• whether temperature must be recorded
• whether the gauge stores the session automatically
• how results are exported or reported
• battery level
• test medium compatibility
• connection fittings
• hose and adapter ratings
• utility or AHJ acceptance
• employer procedure
• final report format

The Vaetrix manual supplement states that datalogging sample rate can be set from one second to 24 hours, and that datalogging sessions are stored in non-volatile memory, but the exact workflow depends on the gauge model and software used. 

Canadian Industries That Can Use Timed Pressure Test Workflows

Gas Utilities and Contractors

Gas service work often needs clear pressure test records, especially where test duration and pressure change must be documented.

HVAC and Mechanical Contractors

Contractors may use timed pressure tests for service lines, gas piping, pneumatic checks and commissioning support, subject to code and AHJ requirements.

Oil and Gas

Timed logging can support maintenance and verification workflows where pressure hold and pressure change matter.

Water and Wastewater

Pressure checks on certain utility and process systems may benefit from automatic start/end records.

Manufacturing

Production and QA teams may use timed tests for pressure decay, pneumatic checks, hydraulic checks or final inspection.

Field Service Teams

Timed Test Mode is useful when technicians perform repeatable pressure checks across many customer sites and need consistent records.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Treating the Gauge Feature as the Test Procedure

Timed Test Mode records pressure over time. It does not determine the correct test pressure, hold time, acceptance criteria or code requirement.

Using the Wrong Gauge Range

A gauge with the wrong range can create poor resolution or unsafe conditions.

Forgetting Calibration Status

A digital gauge still needs current calibration documentation.

Assuming Temperature Is Not Needed

Some tests may require temperature records or temperature consideration. Confirm the procedure before relying on pressure-only results.

Using One Universal Test Duration

The original source discusses 10-minute residential service testing as an example, but Canadian requirements vary by application, utility, code edition and AHJ. Do not reuse one duration for every job. 

Ignoring Stored Energy

Pneumatic pressure testing can be hazardous because compressed gas stores energy. Follow the approved procedure and safety controls. 

Not Saving or Transferring the Record

The result is only useful if it can be attached to the job record, inspection package or customer report.

JM Test Systems Canada Support

JM Test Canada’s calibration services page says JM Test, formerly BHD, provides precision test, measurement and calibration solutions across Canada.Its rental page states that the rental division includes instrument and controls, electrical, communications, gas detection, utility and mechanical equipment. 

For this Canadian page, keep Vaetrix availability conditional.

Customers should confirm:

• Vaetrix gauge availability
• exact model and range
• Timed Test Mode support
• firmware version
• pressure and temperature options
• calibration certificate
• software or app compatibility
• fittings and hose requirements
• rental or purchase options
• Canadian shipping timeline
• report/export workflow

Do not claim every Vaetrix model, accessory or software package is currently available in Canada unless confirmed.

Practical Takeaway

Vaetrix Timed Test Mode helps make fixed-duration pressure tests easier to record and easier to document.

The feature lets the technician pre-set the test duration, record pressure during the defined time window, stop the log automatically, and view start time/pressure, leak rate/change, and end time/pressure on one screen. 

For Canadian gas and pressure testing teams, the main benefit is not just convenience.

It is better test discipline.

Timed Test Mode can reduce missed readings, reduce dependence on phone photos, improve repeatability across crews and create a clearer record for review.

The test still needs the right procedure, pressure, duration, safety controls, calibrated gauge and Canadian code or utility basis.

JM Test Systems Canada can support pressure testing teams with pressure gauges, calibration services, rental options and related equipment where available. Confirm current Vaetrix availability, model, firmware, range, calibration certificate, accessories and reporting workflow before booking.