Pressure Gauge Selection Basics

Pressure gauges generally use mechanical sensing elements based on the force balance principle.

We must consider the below factors for right pressure gauge selection because improper selection can cause failure and possible personal injury or property damage.

Accuracy: It ranges from 0.1 to 4 and chose as per the application. For a pointer stop gauge, the accuracy class will cover from 10 % to 100 % of the scale range.

Environment: Consider the environmental condition when selecting a pressure gauge includes ambient temperature, condensation, humidity, water, and chemicals, all of which can affect gauge performance.

Sensing Element: Pressure sensor material depends on the process fluid and should be compatible. Otherwise, it stops working or causes a hazard to personnel, or deviates accuracy.

For sensing elements please visit the below link:

Instrumentation Basics: Mechanical Pressure Sensor Basics I (instrumentbasics.blogspot.com)

Instrumentation Basics: Mechanical Pressure Sensor Basics II (instrumentbasics.blogspot.com)

Material of Construction: Case & ring material, bourdon tube, movement mechanism, dial, pointer, gaskets, blow off disc and window should be manufactured as per process fluid and the environment where it will install.

For example:

Case & ring material      :           AISI 304 SS

Bourdon tube                 :           AISI 316 L SS

Movement mechanism  :           AISI 304 SS

Dial                                :           Aluminum (black graduation on white background)

Pointer                           :           Aluminum, Micro zero adjustable

Gaskets, Blow off disc   :          Neoprene

Window                          :          Shatterproof safety glass

Dial Size: It comes in different sizes and chooses as per the process requirements. It ranges from “1 to 16” diameters.

Range: It depends on the process and has different values as per requirement.

Type of Display: Mainly designed as analog or digital displays. Digital displays are used in certain applications even if analog pressure gauges are the most popular.

Mounting Pattern/Type of mounting: It depends on the location and type of connection. (For example, Direct/wall/surface/panel, Bottom/Back connection)

The factors mentioned above are the key points we need to consider before deciding to select a pressure gauge. Consult with the manufacturer of your gauge for a detailed guide.

List of Prominent Manufacturers: ABB, Accutech, Ametek, Anderson Instrument, Ashcroft, Barton Instruments, Bristol Babcock, Dresser Instruments, Druck, Dwyer Instruments, Endress+Hauser, Fisher Controls, Flow-Tech, The Foxboro Co., Honeywell, Mid-West Instrument, MKS Instrument, Nuova-Fima, OCI Instruments, Omega Engineering, Smar International, TSI Inc., Trerice, Universal Flow Monitors, Winters, Wika, Yokogawa

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