Pressure Gauges

What are pressure gauges?

Pressure gauges are mechanical devices used to set up and monitor fluid power. Pressure gauges can be both pneumatic and hydraulic. Using systems without pressure gauges can lead to unexpected and unreliable performance.

Pressure pumps or test pumps are often used alongside pneumatic and hydraulic pressure gauges to test, troubleshoot, and calibrate pressure switches, transmitters, and more. In test facilities, portable pressure gauge devices are often employed as a pressure source.

Hydraulic and pneumatic systems, pumps, portable compressors, industrial equipment, and pressurised containers all use pressure gauges.

Types of pressure gauges

Commonly, two types of pressure gauges are used, including analogue and digital pressure gauges. These can be defined as the following:

• Analogue pressure gauges: Pressure gauges that use a needle scale to exhibit the pressure as sensed by the measuring element. These can use the Bourdon tube pressure or Bellows measurement.
• Digital pressure gauges: Digital pressure gauges display the readings of pressure data on a digital output display and use microprocessors and sensors to do so. They have resolution scales ranging from 0.001 to 0.01 on digital pressure gauges and are hence appropriate for low pressures.

Best practices while buying pressure gauges

There are certain aspects that should be considered before you buy a pressure gauge. These include:

• Type: Pressure gauges are available in a variety of materials, including copper alloys, stainless steels, and nichrome. While copper alloys can be a really effective choice, stainless steels provide more corrosion resistance. Since their coefficient of expansion is small and don’t let the instrument’s temperature affect the pressure readout, you can choose from alloys of nickel and iron as well.
• Size: Another thing to consider is the size of the pressure gauge. While hydraulic pressure gauges have diameters between 63 and 100 mm, you can choose pneumatic gauges in diameters ranging from 40 to 63 mm.
• Assembly: When you are buying pressure gauges, determine what type of assembly you want. For instance, you can choose pressure gauges that allow vertical or back mounts or can also be mounted on a panel with the help of a frontal ring or flange.