There is a loose convention across manufacturers for designating the type of reference that a pressure sensing device has, which can be confusing if you are unfamiliar with specifying this often overlooked but critical specification parameter.
To help identify the reference of a particular pressure range found on a product label or technical data sheet a list of abbreviated suffixes is provided below.
Vented Gauge Reference Pressure Range
Measuring pressure with reference to atmospheric pressure, also referred to as Relative and Vented Gauge:
- g
- G
- rel
- REL
- vg
- VG
50 psi g freshwater pressure transducer with 10 Vdc output signal
Recordable indicator and sensor up to 30000 psi for pressure test rig
Vacuum gauge to measure both absolute & negative gauge pressure
+/- 30 inches of water compound range pressure transmitter
Sealed Gauge Reference Pressure Range
Not vented to atmospheric pressure, but instead the reference is fixed to 1 bar.
- sg
- SG
15000 psi combined pressure gauge and logger with USB interface
UPS-HSR USB Pressure Sensor with High Sample Rate Logging
Event triggered high sampling rate pressure logger
700 bar pressure gauge with fast update rate peak memory
Absolute Reference Pressure Range
Referenced to absolute zero pressure or a perfect vacuum
- a
- A
- abs
- ABS
Cleaned oil contamination free 200bar absolute range 0-10V out pressure sensor
1000 mmHg abs range air pressure gauge with 1/4 NPT male fitting
DS201P High Range Flush Pressure Gauge, Switch and Sensor- 700 bar pressure gauge with fast update rate peak memory
Differential Pressure Range
The difference in pressure at point B compared to the pressure at point A.
- d
- D
- diff
- DIFF
- dp
- DP
1.5 inWG differential pressure transducer to control positive pressure inside a building
DP sensor for -1 to 3 bar differential water pressure and 20 bar overpressure
15psi dp range 4-20mA air pressure sensor for chamber airflow testing use on a 15psi line
70 bar range dp transmitter with a 450 bar overpressure rating in both directions
On product marking labels or any document that includes a description of the pressure range, the reference type is included after the pressure unit type e.g. 15 psi abs or 15 psia.