Pressure Gauges and Their Types

Controlling the pressure rating is often important in ensuring a system can function properly. The required pressure rating of different systems will vary based on the system type and the industry or application it is used in. For example, the pressure requirements of an aircraft will differ greatly from those of an automobile engine. To maintain pressure, many systems use a pressure gauge, which can be set to and maintain a desired pressure. In this blog, we will discuss the six most common types of pressure gauges.

Dry Pressure & Liquid Filled Gauges
The first two types of pressure gauges are liquid filled and dry pressure gauges. Dry pressure gauges are widely used in industrial applications. They are corrosion resistant and ideal for environments without significant mechanical vibration and moisture. In liquid filled pressure gauges, a liquid, commonly glycerine, fills the casing. The liquid coats the internal parts, reducing damage caused by pulsation and pressure spikes. Liquid filled pressure gauges are used in circuits with fast and frequent loads, pressure peaks, and mechanical vibrations. Of the two types, dry gauges are the less expensive option.

Manometer
A manometer is a type of pressure gauge that utilizes a column of liquid to measure pressure. Toluene, CCI4, mercury, and alcohol are all examples of the liquid that can be used in manometers. These gauges are only able to measure low pressure close to the atmospheric pressure or vacuum. The working principle of the manometer is that it uses the same or another column of liquid for balancing. There are two categories of manometer: simple and differential.

Mechanical Pressure Gauge
Mechanical gauges are used to measure high pressure ranges. These feature a rack and pinion arrangement that magnifies the deformation caused by the application of pressure on the elastic element. This magnified value is then displayed on the pointer scale for pressure measurement. When compared to manometers, mechanical pressure gauges provide quick and rapid responses.

Digital Pressure Gauge
Digital pressure gauges are frequently used with modern industrial applications that require highly accurate pressure readings. There are many benefits to digital pressure gauges. The reading on the digital display can be interpreted without operator assistance, they eliminate the possibility of parallax error, and they can be easily re-ranged. Digital pressure gauges require an external energy source, such as battery, loop, or solar power.

Wireless Pressure Gauge
These pressure gauges are the most modern type. They can transfer pressure readings directly to other devices without a connection. Compared to mechanical gauges, wireless pressure gauges provide more stable and accurate readings. The biggest advantage of these pressure gauges is that they can collect data remotely. To carry out remote data collection, most gauges use a wireless sensor networking technology called WirelessHART. This technology operates based on Highway Addressable Remote Transducer Protocol.

The use of a pressure gauge brings many benefits. If the system pressure is not controlled, the outcomes will become unpredictable and reliable. Pressure gauges can be installed anywhere in the system circuit and measure the pressure at that point. Additionally, the corresponding reading will be displayed in a clear and easy-to-interpret platform.