Pressure gauges are an integral part of numerous industries, but often do not get as much attention as required. Industries like brewing, refining, etc., cannot function without pressure gauges and importance must be placed on pressure gauge calibration.

Not calibrating pressure gauges may produce inaccurate readings. Apart from that, let us look at different factors that will have an effect on pressure gauges.

Vibration

Vibration is one of the main factors that greatly affect the pressure gauge readings. In fact, vibrations caused by motors, heavy machinery, pumps and other rotating equipment may result in excess wear and tear on pressure gauges, resulting in inaccurate readings. Bad vibrations are responsible for damaging the pointer mechanism by moving the pointer off of zero, which leads to inaccurate readings.Even if it is working properly and giving accurate readings, it may be a challenge to read it correctly if there is significant vibration. Exposure to continuous vibrations will eventually lead to pressure gauge failure. Moving the pressure gauges slightly away from the vibrating machinery can be helpful.If you work in an environment where there is a significant amount of vibration, then using a liquid-filled or oil-filled pressure gauge would be ideal. The liquid, which is generally silicone oil or glycerin, helps the internals avoid the effects of vibration as it dampens the vibration. In order to reduce the effects of vibration, put a remote mounting on a nearby stationary object and connect the gauge to the piping through a capillary line. Prioritize equipment calibration too as it will keep the measurements accurate.

Even though pressure gauges are designed to be used at various temperatures, you may get erroneous readings if they are exposed to extreme temperatures. If the ambient conditions are too hot or too cold, then it can produce loss of containment and causes the components to erode or break down.If the gauge is too hot to touch with the hand, it is an indication that it should not be kept in that environment or that you should employ a remote mounting with a capillary line. Another solution uses a pigtail or coil siphon. The siphon protects the pressure gauges by allowing condensate to form inside the pigtail of the siphon which keeps the hot media from harming the gauge. Place importance on quality assurance at all stages.Ensure that the gauge you choose is made for the temperature level that it will be operating in. Remember that if the gauges are used around water there is a potential that they could burst if exposed to frost or become foggy due to condensation.

Pulsation, an event when overpressure spikes occur on a regular basis, is also responsible for harming pressure gauges.An effective way to tackle pulsation is to use pressure snubbers. They contain rapid pressure fluctuation and spikes by slowing the maximum speed that a substance can travel. They also help in making the gauges that measure quick oscillating media more readable and minimize damage.If you think the likelihood of pulsation is high, use the liquid filled gauge as the liquid helps in dampening the spikes and reducing the effects of pulsation.

Any kind of damage to the pressure gauge, regardless of how little the damage is, will give you incorrect readings, which can lead to compromised processes. You can minimize the occurrence of such an event by regularly inspecting and calibrating the pressure gauges.

Determine the frequency of the inspections based on the severity of the conditions where the gauges are placed and how mission-critical the gauge and accuracy are. If you feel that the pointer isn’t behaving the way it is supposed to, it is a sign that you need to inspect it.

Several lab equipment calibration services offer pressure gauge calibration and ensure that your gauges always perform at optimal levels. Contact us for more details!