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What is the difference between vacuum and absolute pressure

Often you will see a measurement of vacuum pressure described as an absolute pressure reading, so is there any difference between the two?

A vacuum pressure is one that is lower than the ambient environment surrounding pressure, and is typically measured relative to a perfect vacuum or full vacuum.

Since the reference pressure is not relative to another pressure and does not change, it is called the absolute reference or absolute pressure reference.

Featured vacuum measurement products

  • Baroli 02 Precision Digital Pressure Gauge - Precision digital pressure gauge with ranges from 100 mbar (1.5 psi) up to 600 bar (9000 psi) for measuring to an accuracy of 0.125% FS BSL.
  • DMP343 Low Range Pneumatic Pressure Sensor - DMP343 pneumatic pressure sensor for measuring very low range pressures on pneumatic control systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) .

Any pressure measured relative to a full vacuum, whether above or below the surrounding ambient air pressure, is called an absolute pressure.

A vacuum pressure can always be measured and defined as an absolute pressure, but an absolute pressure can also be used to define pressures outside the vacuum range.

What is the difference between vacuum and absolute pressure

Featured absolute pressure measurement products

  • DMP333 High Range Precision Pressure Transmitter - The DMP 333 is a stainless steel 316L wetted parts pressure sensor for high pressure ranges on applications such as hydraulic test benches, presses, and hydraulic actuation.
  • LMK457 Marine Approved Level Transmitter - Marine approved level transmitter with 4-20mA current loop output for shipbuilding with optional all CuNiFe construction for sea-water compatibility in ranges from 0.4 mH2O to 250mH2O gauge.

Related Help Guides

  • Measuring liquid level in a sealed tank with a hydrostatic pressure sensor
  • Measuring vacuum with negative gauge or absolute ranges
  • What is the difference between gauge and absolute pressure measurement
  • Can you measure vacuum using a gauge pressure range
  • What does negative and positive gauge pressure mean
  • Measuring negative pressure using a positive differential pressure range
  • Measuring vacuum as a negative gauge pressure using a dp sensor

Related Technical Terms

  • Absolute Pressure
  • Barometric Pressure
  • MSL – Mean Sea Level
  • Negative Gauge Pressure
  • Reference Pressure
  • Suction Pressure
  • Vacuum

Related Online Tools

  • Suction Pressure to Vacuum Calculator
  • Gauge + Barometric to Absolute Pressure Calculator

Related Product and Application Guides

  • Barometric Pressure
  • Suction Pressure
  • Absolute Pressure

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Use this battery powered wireless pressure sensor to transmit readings to a receiver connected to USB, RS485, RS232, cellular network or analog output

Use this battery powered wireless pressure sensor to transmit readings to a receiver connected to USB, RS485, RS232, cellular network or analog output

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