The most common type of pressure range for pressure measurement instrumentation is one which has a gauge reference. So if you want to measure vacuum pressure, it would be convenient to use a gauge pressure device which is the most widely available pressure range format. So is it possible to measure vacuum with a gauge pressure range instrument, and if so how do you select the correct pressure range?
There are different levels of vacuum quality, from low partial, to very high, but they we all reside within the confines of a pressure range between local atmospheric air pressure and full vacuum where no pressure exists at all.
A vacuum, regardless of quality, which is generated in vessel or chamber, will always be measured as a negative pressure relative to the ambient environment air pressure surrounding the vessel or chamber.
Featured negative gauge pressure measurement products
-760mmHg to +20 kg/cm² pressure transmitter with HART coms - Compound range transmitter for sensing pressure from -760 mm of mercury vacuum to 20 kilograms per sq cm positive pressure with HART communication.
Vacuum suction sensor & wall mount digital readout with switched contacts - Vacuum suction sensor that can provide a digital readout and a switched contact when the pressure gets too high
A gauge reference pressure measuring device provides pressure readings relative to ambient air pressure. A positive gauge pressure range would not be suitable for measuring a vacuum, since it will only measure pressures that are greater than atmospheric pressure. Therefore only gauge pressure ranges that include a negative pressure range will be suitable for measuring a vacuum pressure.
For example a 0 to -1 bar or -15 to 0 psi gauge range will cover the entire range of vacuums, and is a popular range offered by manufacturers. It can also be combined with positive pressure ranges which are called compound pressure ranges, such as -1 to +10 bar g or -760 mmHg to + 100 psi g.
If you only interested in measuring a partial or low vacuum you will need a smaller gauge range such as 0 to -1 psi or 0 to -250 mbar g, which provide a better accuracy and resolution than the larger ranges, for measuring the full vacuum range.
Featured low range negative gauge pressure measurement products
Low range vacuum pressure logger for 0 to -60 inH2O g - I am interested in monitoring vacuum on a pipeline in the field with a portable data logger.
ATEX approved negative 10 mbar vacuum pressure transmitter - ATEX certified intrinsically safe pressure transmitter for measuring from 0 to minus 10 millibar gauge vacuum pressure.
A gauge pressure range is not suitable for measuring high vacuum pressures, since you can only use a full vacuum range device, which compromises the accuracy and resolution so much that the errors are greater than the difference between full vacuum and the high vacuum reading.
Gauge pressure measurement devices which are suitable for measuring vacuum
will often be described as having a negative gauge range, or a compound range for measuring both vacuum and positive pressure.
Featured negative gauge pressure measurement products
Leak testing set for checking 1mb/min drop at negative 10 mbar vacuum - We need a suitable gauge to use as a leak testing test set we are looking to build. We need to measure down to -10 mbar and monitor for 1 minute to ensure the leak rate is not greater than 1 mbar/minute.
Negative 30 inHg vacuum gauge with 0-10V output - Dual-function vacuum gauge with digital display and 0-10V output for industrial process control and monitoring.
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Related Technical Terms
- Gauge Reference Pressure
- Negative Gauge Pressure
- Reference Pressure
- SG – Sealed Gauge
- Vented Cable
- Vented Gauge
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