DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ME LABORATORY 1

EXPERIMENT NO. 1

CALIBRATION OF BOURDON PRESSURE GAGE

OBJECTIVES:

1. To familiarize the use and operation of a pressure Dead Weight Tester

2. To calibrate a bourdon pressure gauge using Dead Weight Tester.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the experiment the student will be able to:
1. Understand the construction and working of bourdon’s tube pressure gauge.
2. Understand the process of calibration of a bourdon pressure gauge by Dead
Weight Tester

THEORY:
The Bourbon gage is used extensively to measure fluid pressures in both the higher and
lower range. It is a simple device basically made up of curved, elastic metal tube, usually
of brass or stainless steel, which changes its geometry when filled with fluid under
pressure. Because of extended period of use Bourbon gage readings could deviate
slightly from the true pressure value. It is therefore necessary to calibrate from time to
time the instrument in order to determine its accuracy and suitably of its use. Slight
deviations of the readings may still warrant the use of the instrument, otherwise it
requires its change.
Calibrations of pressure gages is reasonably achieved by the use of a Dead Weight
tester. It consists of a valve base and a barrel which has a precision machined bore into
which fits a piston. The piston is fitted with a platform which could carry calibration
weights. The valve base is provided with a connection for the fluid (water or oil) supply
and a connection for the pressure gage to be calibrated. The test is based on the idea
that the pressure gage reading must be equal to the fluid pressure acting on the face of
the piston. The pressure on the piston face can be computed as equal to the calibration
weights including that of the platform and piston divided by the piston face area.
Allowance may be accounted for the piston face level is different from the gage level
under test.

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 Fig B
Fig A

Fig D
Fig C

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PROCEDURE:

Fill up the cylinder with oil of known specific gravity/density. Slightly insert the piston
into the cylinder and remove as much air bubble from cylinder hose. Prior to data
reading, rotate the piston to remove bubbles. Read the indicated bourdon-tube
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pressure gauge as the first reading (zero gauge). Add load weight on the piston. Apply
oil pressure using the plunger slowly and carefully until oil just begins to come out of
the spill pipe. Get the reading on pressure gauge.

Note: That before the reading be sure bubbles are removed by rotating the piston.
Add load weights on the piston in an increment of 1 to 2 grams. Repeat steps
described above, increasing up to the maximum weight the instrument can carry. In
decreasing manner, unload the weight from the piston gradually in an increment 1 to
2 grams (Repeat the procedure described above using water)

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DETAILED PROCEDURE:
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COMPUTATION AND ANALYSIS:

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QUESTIONS:

1. Explain the operation of the Bourdon gage elaborately the mechanism of the
bourbon gage.
2. Describe the following pressure gages.
b. Helical-spring gage
c. Diaphragm and bellows gages
d. Slack-diaphragm gages
e. Electric strain gages

3. Discuss thoroughly the causes of deviation in the readings between the true
reading and the gage reading.

CONCLUSION:

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