Pressure measurement

Example of the widely used Bourdon pressure

gaugeChecking tire pressure with a spring and piston tire-pressure gauge
Pressure measurement is the measurement of an applied force by
a fluid (liquid or gas) on a surface. Pressure is typically measured in units of force per
unit of surface area. Many techniques have been developed for the measurement of
pressure and vacuum. Instruments used to measure and display pressure mechanically
are called pressure gauges, vacuum gauges or compound gauges (vacuum &
pressure). The widely used Bourdon gauge is a mechanical device, which both
measures and indicates and is probably the best known type of gauge.
A vacuum gauge is used to measure pressures lower than the ambient atmospheric
pressure, which is set as the zero point, in negative values (for instance, −1 bar or
−760 mmHg equals total vacuum). Most gauges measure pressure relative to
atmospheric pressure as the zero point, so this form of reading is simply referred to as
"gauge pressure". However, anything greater than total vacuum is technically a form of
pressure. For very low pressures, a gauge that uses total vacuum as the zero point
reference must be used, giving pressure reading as an absolute pressure.
Other methods of pressure measurement involve sensors that can transmit the pressure
reading to a remote indicator or control system (telemetry).

Absolute, gauge and differential pressures — zero

reference[edit]

Natural gas pressure gauge

silicon piezoresistive pressure sensors
Everyday pressure measurements, such as for vehicle tire pressure, are usually made
relative to ambient air pressure. In other cases measurements are made relative to a
vacuum or to some other specific reference. When distinguishing between these zero
references, the following terms are used:

 Absolute pressure is zero-referenced against a perfect vacuum, using an absolute

scale, so it is equal to gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure. Absolute
pressure sensors are used in applications where a constant reference is required,
like for example, high-performance industrial applications such as
monitoring vacuum pumps, liquid pressure measurement, industrial packaging,
industrial process control and aviation inspection.[1]
 Gauge pressure is zero-referenced against ambient air pressure, so it is equal to
absolute pressure minus atmospheric pressure. A tire pressure gauge is an example
of gauge pressure measurement; when it indicates zero, then the pressure it is
measuring is the same as the ambient pressure. Most sensors for measuring up to
50 bar are manufactured in this way, since otherwise the atmospheric pressure
fluctuation (weather) is reflected as an error in the measurement result.
 Differential pressure is the difference in pressure between two points. Differential
pressure sensors are used to measure many properties, such as pressure drops
across oil filters or air filters, fluid levels (by comparing the pressure above and
below the liquid) or flow rates (by measuring the change in pressure across a
restriction). Technically speaking, most pressure sensors are really differential
pressure sensors; for example a gauge pressure sensor is merely a differential
pressure sensor in which one side is open to the ambient atmosphere.
The zero reference in use is usually implied by context, and these words are added only
when clarification is needed. Tire pressure and blood pressure are gauge pressures by
convention, while atmospheric pressures, deep vacuum pressures, and altimeter
pressures must be absolute.
For most working fluids where a fluid exists in a closed system, gauge pressure
measurement prevails. Pressure instruments connected to the system will indicate
pressures relative to the current atmospheric pressure. The situation changes when
extreme vacuum pressures are measured, then absolute pressures are typically used
instead and measuring instruments used will be different.
Differential pressures are commonly used in industrial process systems. Differential
pressure gauges have two inlet ports, each connected to one of the volumes whose
pressure is to be monitored. In effect, such a gauge performs the mathematical
operation of subtraction through mechanical means, obviating the need for an operator
or control system to watch two separate gauges and determine the difference in
readings.
Moderate vacuum pressure readings can be ambiguous without the proper context, as
they may represent absolute pressure or gauge pressure without a negative sign. Thus
a vacuum of 26 inHg gauge is equivalent to an absolute pressure of 4 inHg, calculated
as 30 inHg (typical atmospheric pressure) − 26 inHg (gauge pressure).
Atmospheric pressure is typically about 100 kPa at sea level, but is variable with altitude
and weather. If the absolute pressure of a fluid stays constant, the gauge pressure of
the same fluid will vary as atmospheric pressure changes. For example, when a car
drives up a mountain, the (gauge) tire pressure goes up because atmospheric pressure
goes down. The absolute pressure in the tire is essentially unchanged.