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
Featured vented gauge reference related products
Tidal level measurement with SDI-12 interface seawater level sensor - Marine bronze submersible sensor for accurate tidal level measurement with SDI-12 for seamless integration with existing data acquisition and transceiver systems in coastal environment
Recordable indicator and sensor up to 30000 psi for pressure test rig - Accurate and reliable pressure measurement up to 30,000 psi with integrated data recording. Ideal for demanding pressure test rig applications.
Sealed Gauge Reference Pressure Range
Not vented to atmospheric pressure, but instead the reference is fixed to 1 bar.
- sg
- SG
Featured sealed gauge reference related products
Logger for verifying water supply pressure over 7 days - The P-Triton-P is specifically designed for monitoring water supply pressures and storing readings for long term tests.
Event triggered high sampling rate pressure logger - This pressure logger can record for months at time at a slow logging rate, and when a predefined event threshold is exceeded it will record pressure at a much faster rate.
Absolute Reference Pressure Range
Referenced to absolute zero pressure or a perfect vacuum
- a
- A
- abs
- ABS
Featured absolute reference related products
Ex rated ambient pressure sensor with 800-1100 mbar range - Could you give details of a high accuracy pressure sensor which measures ambient pressure (800 to 1100 mb) for environmental purposes.
LEO Record (Ei) Pressure Data Logger - LEO Record combined digital manometer & pressure data logging instrument for recording pressures & temperatures that can store up to 57,000 readings.
Differential Pressure Range
The difference in pressure at point B compared to the pressure at point A.
- d
- D
- diff
- DIFF
- dp
- DP
Featured differential pressure related products
10 kPa orifice plate differential pressure transmitter for water flow measurement - Pressure sensor for measuring the differential pressure generated by water flowing through an orifice plate in a pipe, and converting the output to a water flow measurement. 
20 Pa DP range 0-10V output air pressure sensor for building management use - A low range 20 Pa range differential pressure sensor, ideal for monitoring filters, ventilation ducts, and HVAC systems in commercial and residential buildings.
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.
Related Help Guides
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- What is the difference between gauge and absolute pressure measurement
- What does negative and positive gauge pressure mean
- Measuring negative pressure using a positive differential pressure range
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- What is the difference between sealed gauge and vented gauge reference?
- Can you measure vacuum using a gauge pressure range
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- Using an Absolute Sensor to Measure Gauge Reference Pressure
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Related Technical Terms
- Gauge Reference Pressure
- MSL – Mean Sea Level
- Negative Gauge Pressure
- Reference Pressure
- SG – Sealed Gauge
- Vented Cable
- Vented Gauge
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