Pressure Gauge

Hadi Veyse – Oil and Gas Operation Superintendent

Basic Pressure Terms
Typical Pressure Gauge Components (C-Type Bourdon Tube)
Operating Pressure

The pressure gauge selected should have a full-scale pressure such that the operating pressure
occurs in the middle half (25% to 75%) of the scale. The full-scale pressure of the gauge selected
should be approximately 2 times the intended operating pressure. If it is necessary for the operating
pressure to exceed 75% of full scale, the supplier should be contacted for recommendations.

This does not apply to test retarded or suppressed scale gauges.

NOTE:
Gauges that are obviously not working or indicating erroneously should be immediately valved off or
removed from service to prevent further damage.
Operating Pressure

 Suppressed scale gauge: a gauge having a scale that starts at some value appreciably above
zero.

Scale shown is suppressed from 0 to 50.

 Retard scale gauge: a gauge having a scale that is compressed at one or both ends.

Scale shown is retarded from 10 to 30.

Typical Ranges

 Positive Gauge Pressure (Gauge pressure greater than ambient pressure):

Typical Ranges

 Compound Pressure (Gauge that indicates both positive and negative gauge pressure):
Typical Ranges

 Negative or Vacuum Gauge Pressure (Gauge pressure less than ambient pressure using ambient
pressure as datum):

 Receiver Pressure (Gauge designed to indicate the output signal from a pneumatic transmitter.
It is calibrated in terms of the transmitter output. The dial may be graduated in units of
pressure, temperature, flow, or other measurements corresponding to the transmitter input):
Accuracy

The conformity of a gauge indication to an accepted standard or true value. Accuracy is the
difference (error) between the true value and the gauge indication. It is the combined effects of
method, observer, apparatus, and environment. Accuracy error includes hysteresis and repeatability
errors, but not friction error.

Accuracy express as:

 CL: % of Span
 KL: % of Full Scale

Span: The algebraic difference between the limits of the unretarded portion of the scale.
Full Scale: The highest numerically defined graduation on the unretarded portion of the scale.
Accuracy

Pressure gauge accuracy is graded as shown in following table:

Accuracy

Example 1:

Positive PG (0/100 bar)

Span=100 bar
Full Scale=100 bar
CL=1.6: Permissible Error=1.6% of Span=(1.6/100)*100=±1.6 bar

If indicated pressure=50 bar

Range of possible actual pressure=48.4 bar to 51.6 bar
Accuracy

Example 2:

Positive PG (0/100 bar)

Span=100 bar
Full Scale=100 bar
KL=1.6: Permissible Error=1.6% of Full Scale=(1.6/100)*100=±1.6 bar

If indicated pressure=50 bar

Range of possible actual pressure=48.4 bar to 51.6 bar
Accuracy

Example 3:

Compound PG (-1/0.6 bar)

Span=1.6 bar
Full Scale=0.6 bar
CL=1.0: Permissible Error=1.0% of Span=(1.0/100)*1.6=±0.016 bar

If indicated pressure=0.2 bar

Range of possible actual pressure=0.184 bar to 0.216 bar
Accuracy

Example 4:

Compound PG (-1/24 bar)

Span=25 bar
Full Scale=24 bar
KL=1.0: Permissible Error=1.0% of Full Scale=(1.0/100)*24=±0.24 bar

If indicated pressure=15 bar

Range of possible actual pressure=14.76 bar to 15.24 bar
Filling Liquid

Pressure gauge is filled with a liquid such as glycerin or silicone fluid to at least 75% of its total
internal volume (The pressure gauge does not completely fill, since, depending on humidity and
ambient temperature, the filling medium absorbs additional water and expands accordingly. To
provide sufficient space for this expansion and to prevent the case from leaking, the case is only
filled to 80% – 90% by default).

The purpose of this construction is to exclude ambient corrosives or protect the internals from
damage caused by severe vibration or pulsation. It has been general practice to use glycerin or
silicone filling fluids. These fluids must be avoided where strong oxidizing agents including, but not
limited to, oxygen, chlorine, nitric acid, and hydrogen peroxide are involved. In the presence of
oxidizing agents, potential hazard can result from chemical reaction, ignition, or explosion.
Completely halogenated fluids may be more suitable for such applications.
Filling Liquid
Filling Liquid
Filling Liquid
Filling Liquid
Thanks for your attention