What Are Pressure Gauges Used For?

A pressure gauge is a device that measures the pressure of a container or vessel of compressed gas or liquid. Widely used all over the world, pressure gauges fulfill tasks ranging from checking the pressure on car tires to measuring different regulatory systems inside a power plant. Pressure gauges come in any different number of styles, and are designed for a variety of purposes. Like other measuring devices, pressure gauges should be periodically calibrated to confirm they are working properly, especially when they are used for safety purposes. Stainless steel pressure gauges Manufacturers

These gauges can work two different ways. They can measure pressure by comparing air in a vessel, such as a tire, to a complete vacuum. Or they can measure pressure relative to the ambient, or outside, air pressure. In either case the device is usually mechanical, with a moving part inside the gauge that moves in response to pressure changes that push against the moving part to provide measured reading. Some gauges provide digital readouts while others use traditional dials directly linked to the gauge.

The Bourdon tube is one of the most common types of pressure gauge, and is used to measure high pressures. A Bourdon pressure gauge is basically a tube coiled into a spiral shape or helix, or less often formed into a "C" shape, so that the tube will straighten out when the pressure increases.

A Diaphragm is another gauge used to measure more subtle pressure changes. It uses a deflection of a flexible membrane to separate regions under different pressure. This amount of deflection is repeatable for certain, known pressures so calibration can be used to determine the desired pressure. The deformation of a diaphragm depends on the variation in pressure between its two faces. The reference face can be opened to the atmosphere to measure pressure, or alternatively can be sealed against a vacuum to measure absolute pressure. The deformation can be measured using optical, mechanical, or capacitive techniques.

These pressurized systems are found in a large number of places. For example, in just a car the fuel, lubricant, and brake fluids are all pressurized, as well as the air in the tires. Industrial factories use pressurized systems to coordinate any number of control systems that can be almost any shape and size. It is important that workers are able to monitor the pressure in these systems, as they can identify potential safety concerns such as pressure that is dangerously high or dangerously low. Either one can lead to massive system-wide failures and endanger the lives of the people working there.

Certain pressure gauges are linkable to remote indicator panels which are capable of alerting people when a problem develops with the gauge. Modern day vehicles, for example, have pressure gauges placed inside the tires which can alert the driver when there is a problem with tire pressure. This eliminates the need to check the tire pressure by hand. Other gauges are designed to automatically shut a system off if pressure does not fall within an acceptable range. Today pressure gauges are constantly being advanced to increase reliability, efficiency, and safety.