Measuring

Instruments

Presented by : Howell Jay M. Axalan

 Manometers
U-tube manometer
Consist of “U” shaped glass tubes partially filled with a liquid.
PR − PL= ɣ × difference in height of the liquid in the columns
Diaphragms, Capsules, and Bellows

Gauges
- a major group of sensors that measure pressure with
respect to atmospheric pressure. Gauge sensors are
usually devices that change their shape when pressure is
applied.
• Diaphragms
• Capsules
• Bellows
Diaphragms
Consist of a thin layer or film of a material supported on a rigid
frame, as shown in Figure. Pressure can be applied to one
side of the film for gauge sensing, with the other inlet port
being left open to the atmosphere.
Capsules
Are two diaphragms joined back to back. Pressure can be
applied to the space between the diaphragms, forcing them
apart to measure gauge pressure.
Materials used are phosphor bronze, stainless steel, and iron-
nickel alloys.
The pressure range of instruments using these materials is up
to 50 psi (350 kPa).
Bellows
• are similar to capsules, except that instead of being joined
directly together, the diaphragms are separated by a
corrugated tube or a tube with convolutions, as shown in
Figure.
Bourdon Tubes
Are hollow, flattened, or oval cross sectional beryllium,
copper, or steel tubes. When a gauge is pressurized, the
Bourdon creates the dial tip travel to enable pressure
measurement.
Vacuum Instruments
• Vacuum instruments are used to measure pressures less
than atmospheric pressure.
• Ionization gauges can be used to measure pressures
from 10−3 atm down to approximately 10−12 atm. The gas
is ionized with a beam of electrons and the current is
measured between two electrodes in the gas.
• Pirani gauge can measure vacuums down to
approximately 1 torr (10−3 atm). These methods are based
on the relation of heat conduction and radiation from a
heating element
• McLeod gauge is a device set up to measure low
pressures (1 torr). The device compresses the low-
pressure gas to a level at which it can be measured
Ionization gauge Pirani gauge

Mcleod gauge
Application Considerations

Selection
Pressure sensing devices are chosen for pressure range,
overload requirements, accuracy, temperature operating
range, line-of-sight reading, electrical signaling, and
response time.
 Installation
The following should be taken into consideration when installing
pressure-sensing devices.
1. The distance between the sensor and the source should be kept
to a minimum.
2. Sensors should be connected via valves for ease of
replacement.
3. Over range protection devices should be included at the sensor.
4. To eliminate errors due to trapped gas in sensing liquid
pressures, the sensor should be located below the source.
5. To eliminate errors due to trapped liquid in sensing gas
pressures, the sensor should be located above the source.
6. When measuring pressures in corrosive fluids and gases, an
inert medium is necessary between the sensor and source, or
the sensor must be corrosion-resistant.
Calibration

Pressure sensing devices are calibrated at the factory. In

cases where a sensor is suspect and needs to be
recalibrated, the sensor can be returned to the factory for
recalibration, or it can be compared to a known reference.