2H1 CALIBRATION OF A PRESSURE GAUGE

INTRODUCTION

A Bourdon gauge is a mechanical device for measuring pressures. The gauge consists of a
curved tube that tends to straighten when place under pressure. The movement of free end
of the gauge will rotate the pointer over a scale from which the pressure can be read.

When it is desired to check the accuracy of a Bourdon gauge, the simple and usual
procedure is to load it with known pressures by a dead weight tester using water or oil to
transmit the pressure. The apparatus for this experiment consist of cylindrical piston, fitting
cylinder, and pressure gauge (refer to Figure H1-1). The theoretical pressure exerted by the
load assigned on this cylindrical piston is given by

F (H1-1)
P
A

where, P = pressure (N/m2)

F = force (N)
= mg
A = cross-sectional area of piston (m2)
m = mass (kg)
G = gravitational acceleration (m/s2)
 Weights

Piston
Pressure
Flexible Gauge (kN/m2)
Tube

FIGURE H1-1

OBJECTIVE

To perform calibration of a pressure gauge by comparing the experimental and theoretical

pressures.

APPARATUS

1. Bourdon Gauge Pressure (TecQuipment, UK)

2. Weights

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

1. Measure the diameter of piston

2. Filled up the hose and cylinder gauge with water and remove air trapping inside the
hose and cylinder.
3. Insert piston into the cylinder. Read and record the gauge reading.
4. Add weights in an appropriate increment and record the pressure gauge reading for
each load increment.
5. Repeat step 4 by reducing the load on piston cylinder for decreasing pressure and
record pressure gauge reading.
CAMPUTATIONS

d 2
1. Cross sectional area of A where, d is diameter of piston.
piston, 4

 piston
 M load
(N/m2)
2. Pactual 

(H1-2)
M
g A

where, g = gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s2)

Pactual
 Pexp
3. Error (%) = Pactua eriment x100 %
l
GRAPHS

1. Plot the graph of gauge reading (increasing pressure and

decreasing pressure) versus true pressure.
2. Plot the graph of total load on piston versus gauge reading
(increasing pressure and decreasing pressure).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

1. Give your conclusions and comments on the graphs that you have plotted.
2. What are the factors that many contribute to errors
between experimental and theoretical (true) pressures?