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
Recordable indicator and sensor up to 30000 psi for pressure test rig
+/- 30 inches of water compound range pressure transmitter
50 psi g freshwater pressure transducer with 10 Vdc output signal
Vacuum gauge to measure both absolute & negative gauge pressure
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
Absolute Unvented Reference Hydrostatic Liquid Level Sensors
Logger for verifying water supply pressure over 7 days
Submersible sensor for measuring sludge pressure in pipe
Absolute Reference Pressure Range
Referenced to absolute zero pressure or a perfect vacuum
- a
- A
- abs
- ABS
20 bar absolute steam pressure transducer
Barometric transducer with 23-34 inHg input range and 0-5Vdc output range
Atmospheric air pressure transducer with 10 volt output
Barometric range 800-1100mb IECEx approved intrinsically safe pressure transmitter
Differential Pressure Range
The difference in pressure at point B compared to the pressure at point A.
- d
- D
- diff
- DIFF
- dp
- DP
20 pascal differential pressure transducer for clean rooms
-1 to 6 bar differential RS485 Modbus RTU freshwater pressure sensor for farming use on a 6bar line
30,000 microbar differential air pressure gauge for positive and negative pressure
15,000 Pa DP Transmitter with built-in digital display
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.
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