Before pressure gauges existed, industrial pressure measurements were achieved with manometers. A manometer is a device that can measure pressure or pressure differences by balancing the pressure on one side of an object (a solid surface) with fluid on the other side. This method is still used today in aviation, where the pressure difference between the inside and outside of an aircraft is measured using a manometer instead of a pressure gauge.
However, this technique cannot be practically used for measuring high pressures because it must be done indirectly by measuring how much of another substance, such as water or mercury, moves up/down through the hydrostatic column.
Many variables affect the type of industrial pressure gauge that will be best for a certain job, including cost, ease of use, and product safety. For example, if there is any risk associated with introducing mercury to the workplace because it is poisonous or dangerous in some other way, an electronic gauge would be ideal.
Standpipe Pressure Gauge
A standpipe pressure gauge measures pressures within pipelines where there is already product flowing through. There are various types of standpipe measurements for normal conditions (N), critical conditions (C), and abnormal conditions (A). These pressure measurements are often used in oil and gas applications.
Mud pressure gauge
A mud pressure gauge measures the pressure of drilling fluid, also known as mud. The pressure reading from a mud pressure gauge can be used to monitor the rate of penetration or ROP. Mud pressure gauges must withstand high pressures and temperatures, so they require special construction materials such as alloy steels and nickel alloys.
Torque Gauge
A torque pressure gauge measures pressure within hydraulic systems that contain oil and other substances such as water or coolants. Torque pressure gauges measure the pressure force acting perpendicular to the rotating shaft produced by hydraulic pumps and motors. A scale on the device indicates how hard a wrench needs to be rotated against an object to reach certain pressure. This calibrated scale can also be used as a guide to tighten bolts at specific pressure ranges, helping prevent over-tightening.
Electronic gauge
An electronic pressure gauge is a measuring instrument for displaying, inputting, computing, or recording pressure measurements electronically based on Bourdon’s pressure gauge. They are used in pressure testing of tanks, pressure vessels, and piping systems, pressure calibration equipment, pressure surveys, liquid level measurements within process vessels or wet wells, suction tank level gauging, pressure indicating instruments (PII).
The pressure sensor can be located in different pressure ranges depending on the application. A pressure range is determined by the pressure connection and by the pressure tube or pressure element, which is sealed at both sides.
If you are still nervous about the right choice of the pressure gauge, you should get in touch with the professionals. Contact Instruments is the one place where you will all types of pressure gauges, custom cables, trash pump parts, and more. Reach out to us and let us know what you need, and we will make sure you only get the best and nothing less.