Pressure Gauge Types
There are various types of pressure gauge, each best suited to particular tasks. One of the most common pressure gauge types is the traditional, round-style gauge. This is a very common, hand-held design. On the other hand, industrial process style gauges are suitable for more frequent use and heavier-duty applications.
Analogue Pressure Gauges
Analogue pressure gauges are the more traditional type. They use a needle and mechanical internals to function. Accurate and reliable, analogue gauges are adaptable and can be used in many different applications. When using an analogue pressure gauge, you should aim to have your normal applied pressure to be roughly half of the full scale of the gauge.
Digital Pressure Gauges
Electronic or digital pressure gauges are more modern devices. They usually feature a diaphragm and strain gauges. They are characterized by their digital displays, which make readings easier to identify and record.
Differential Pressure Gauges
Differential pressure is the measurement of one pressure relative to another. Therefore, a differential pressure gauge works by using two ports and measuring the pressure difference between the two ports. Differential pressure can be either positive or negative.
Absolute Pressure Gauges
An absolute pressure gauge is designed to measure pressure relative to a vacuum. This means that it takes readings against either a complete or absolute vacuum. As a result, absolute pressure is always positive. These types of gauges are primarily used when working with barometers, altimeters, and atmospheric or deep vacuum equipment.
Hydraulic Pressure Gauges
Hydraulic pressure gauges offer a much higher-pressure range. With some models, it can be in the high hundreds of bar. Hydraulic gauges should be used with oil.
Atmospheric Pressure Gauges
An atmospheric pressure gauge is used to measure air pressure. These instruments are primarily used by meteorologists. They can be useful for helping to predict weather patterns and provide data for weather forecasting.