SA Gauge

Process conditions affect pressure gaugesSeptember 2014, Pressure Measurement & Control

All process and ambient factors should be considered when selecting and installing pressure measuring
devices. The following is intended as a guideline from SA Gauge to assist with selecting the appropriate
instrument.
The use of pressure transmitters as the primary source of pressure measurement in sophisticated
process applications is very popular. However, as a backup to the electrical readings, and as a local
display, mechanical dial indicating pressure gauges are still used on many systems.
Today’s mechanical pressure gauges mostly employ age-old proven technology in the form of a bourdon
tube soldered or welded to a socket with the tip of the bourdon tube connected to a geared movement,
indicating pressure applied via a pointer and dial.
Since the pressure gauge is a purely mechanical instrument, process conditions must be carefully
considered before selection to ensure the best accuracy and to maximise the instrument’s service life.
To ensure accuracy and safety, best practice measuring recommends special consideration when
dealing with process conditions such as extreme process or ambient temperatures, corrosive or
solidifying media, vibration, pulsation and overpressure.

Temperature

Maximum permitted process temperatures for pressure gauges with brass wetted parts are 70°C. For
stainless steel wetted parts maximum process temperature should not exceed 100°C. Ambient
temperatures are permitted from -20 to 60°C. Errors in accuracy need to be considered when using
gauges above or below calibration conditions – usually 22°C.
For applications where process temperatures exceed permissible levels, the media needs to be cooled
down before entering the instrument. Accessories like cooling towers, siphon tubes, capillary assemblies
and diaphragm seals are typical devices used to separate and protect the instrument from the process
heat source.
Corrosive and solidifying media
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Some aggressive or corroding process media will attack copper-alloy or stainless steel 316, or will
solidify and obstruct the pressure port of the gauge. Diaphragm seals are designed to isolate the
pressure gauge from the media to ensure accurate and reliable pressure readings. The wetted parts of
the diaphragm seal are made from process appropriate materials such as stainless steel 316, hastelloy,
tantalum or PTFE.

Vibration

Due to the purely mechanical nature of pressure gauges, vibration is one of the main reasons of
premature gauge failure. Linkages, gears and bushings are all parts suffering from excessive wear when
exposed to vibration. Pointer oscillation makes accurate reading difficult but can be avoided by filling
the gauge with glycerine or silicone oil. Liquid filling of gauges lubricates all the friction points, ensuring
longer instrument life.

Pulsation

Dynamic load cycles of pumps and valves that cause a rapid change in pressure in a system causes
metal fatigue in the elastic bourbon sensing element, resulting in gauge failure. Whilst glycerine filling
of the gauge will assist against pointer flutter, it cannot prevent the damage caused by pulsation to the
bourdon tube. A flow restricting device is the best option here. Pulsation dampers such as inlet
restricting or piston type snubbers restrict the pressure pulsation.

Over pressure

Over pressure typically occurs when a pressure gauge is subjected to a sudden rush of process
pressure, such as when full bore valves are quickly and completely opened under load. This short period
‘spike’ in the system subjects the gauge to more pressure than it is designed for, resulting in
permanent damage. To prevent this SA Gauge manufactures an overpressure protector that can be
adjusted and locked to shut the process pressure off at a given set pressure. The spring loaded
overpressure protector automatically opens again once the over pressure condition has passed. On
certain ranges there are diaphragm operated gauges available, capable of coping with five times over
pressure without any permanent damage.

For more information contact Chris du Plessis, SA Gauge, +27 (0)31 579 2216, chris@sagauge.com,
www.sagauge.com