The g Effect is a change in performance of a pressure measuring device that is caused by a change in its orientation.
Typically a pressure sensing device will have some form of flat diaphragm which will generate a change in output when flexed by a change in pressure. If a pressure sensing diaphragm is orientated so that it is horizontal there will be another force acting on it, in addition to the pressure, which is gravity. Irrespective of the pressure applied, the diaphragm will sag slightly in the middle due to the pull of gravity which generates a very slight false pressure reading. If the diaphragm is now flipped upside down it will again sag slightly under its own weight, although this time the false pressure reading will act in the opposite direction causing a zero offset.
The maximum change in pressure reading is limited to 2 x g, where g = 9.80665 m/s², so no change in orientation will generate a force greater than 2g. The amount of offset generated by the g effect will depend on the stiffness of the pressure sensing material.
Featured low range pressure measurement products
10Pa diff range 0-20mA output air pressure sensor for automotive component testing - A very low range pressure sensor for automotive component testing use to measure pressure of air over a range of 0 to 10 Pa diff from two barbed tube hose connections, and sending the corresponding 0-20mA signal through the DIN plug electrical connection.
DM01 Multi-Range High Accuracy Pressure Gauge - High precision digital pressure gauge with 0.05% full scale accuracy, exchangeable pressure range modules from 100 mbar (1.5 psi) up to 400 bar (6000 psi).
A high pressure sensing device will tend to have a thicker and smaller surface area sensing diaphragm and therefore will be less sensitive to changes in orientation.
A low pressure sensing device will have a comparably thinner and larger surface area diaphragm and therefore will be more sensitive to changes in orientation.
Manufacturers of low range or high accuracy pressure measurement equipment will often specify the orientation of the device when it it was calibrated, and in some cases a manufacturer will specify the amount of offset to expect from a change in orientation.
In some designs of pressure sensing devices the primary sensing diaphragm is incorporated into an oil filled capsule. In such designs the weight of the oil and the isolating membrane will also contribute to the g Effect.
Featured low range pressure measurement products
DPS300 User Switchable Pressure Range, Volts or Current Output Low DP Sensor - The DPS 300 is a low range HVAC differential pressure sensor. The lowest possible pressure range is 0...100 pascals. 2 or 3 switchable pressure ranges, plus volts or current output are included with most standard configurations.
DPC Low Range Pressure Controller and Calibrator - The DPC low range pressure controller calibrator measures and generates low range pressures over 1, 10, 100 or 1000 mbar, and can be used as a pressure measurement device or as a test and calibration device for pressure sensors and pressure switches.
Glossary of Low Pressure technical terms
- inH2O – Inches of Water Column at 4 deg C Pressure Unit
- mmH2O – Millimetres of Water Column at 4 deg C Pressure Unit
- oz/in² – Ounce per Square Inch Pressure Unit
- Pa – Pascal Pressure Unit
