How To Choose The Best Pressure Gauge?

By Author: winchesterengineering
Total Articles: 3
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The technology employed in pressure gauges has been around for over a century now, and the pressure gauge is still one of the most popular methods of measuring pressure today. The majority of pressure gauges still include the Bourdon tube, socket, and geared movement, along with a pointer and dial to show process pressure.

Pressure gauges can be utilized for controlling liquids and gas pressure in applications including hydraulics and pneumatics, medical, pumps and compressors, refrigeration controls, utilities, and gas monitoring. Apart from pressure gauges, digital gauges are also in trend.  In addition to visual pressure indication, some auto ranges gauges are configured to render electrical output and perceive other variables such as temperature

Measures to Select the Digital Gauge
There are many factors that should consider while selecting a pressure gauge for an application.

1. The first point to consider is engineering and system design specifications, including cost and safety factors and the level of accuracy required. Different Pressure gauges are there with different accuracy ...
... range from ±.25, ±.5, ±1, ±1.5, and 2 to 2.5 percent. Different scale options are available for auto ranges gauges. The level of precision needed for newly designed systems may be distinct from that for replacement components.

2. To choose the correct pressure range for a gauge, You need to keep in mind that where there is dynamic pressure with the potential of pulses and surges. Therefore, choose a full-scale pressure like Winchester Gauges, where the operating pressure falls in the middle half (50 to 75 percent) of the scale to enable pressure swings because of  pressure spikes and pulsation in the system.

3. Digital Gauge accuracy can also be influenced by temperature. In general, for every 18°F (10°C) shift in temperature from which the gauge is calibrated, the user can feel up to a ±0.4 percent additional error. While it is challenging to avoid ambient temperature, the impact of process temperature can be addressed. 

4. In steam service, the standard practice is to establish coil siphons or pigtail siphons to disseminate process heat. Another standard practice is to place a diaphragm seal with a capillary to insulate the gauge from the high heat source. 

5. Many choices are there when it comes to filling fluid in the seal and capillary system to resist temperatures up to 600°F. In seriously cold ambient conditions, many users choose to heat trace instrumentation via electric or steam trace.

6. The ambient temperatures and process and are critical considerations while selecting and applying pressure gauges. To approach temperature extremes, mounting options may be contemplated depending on the operating temperature range; Diaphragm seals, capillaries, cooling elements, and pigtail steam siphons can be used to dissipate heat and protect instruments.

7. Vibration can have a notable effect on auto-ranging gauge performance. Vibration happened due to motors, pumps, as well from other rotating equipment can lead to excess wear and likely to have a premature failure of a pressure gauge's internal working parts, which constitute the Bourdon tube and the movement or gear mechanism. Vibration also causes difficulty incorrect reading of the gauge because of pointer oscillation. 

 
One of the most prevalent causes of pressure gauge failure is exposure to constant vibration. The most widely trusted remedy is to use a liquid-filled pressure gauge. The fill fluid of choice is either silicone or glycerin. Liquid-filled gauges point not only towards pointer oscillation but also run to guard and grease the internal geared movement.

Pressure gauges are available in several process sizes, connections and case mounting styles. The proper process connection must be defined depending on system requirements and application.