Inside a Pressure Gauge ... How they Work

Inside a Gauge
  1. INLET.  Fluid enters through the inlet of the gauge and into area #2, the Bourdon Tube.
  2. BOURDON TUBE. The Bourdon Tube is a tubular alloy that has been compressed and bent into an arc.  As fluid enters the Bourdon Tube, it causes the tube to flex as it attempts to regain its' natural "round" shape.   Essentially the arc tries to straighten itself out.
  3. LINKAGE.  The flexure of the Bourdon Tube is linked to the gearing mechanism of the gauge.  This is where QUALITY becomes important.  As the Bourdon Tube moves, the linkage indexes the gears (#4)
  4. GEARING.  Precision built gears control the movement of the pointer (#5).  Finer increments or higher accuracy gauges require more complicated gearing than used by "standard gauges".
  5. POINTER.  The pointer moves with the gearing to indicate the operating pressure within the ANSI accuracy rating of the gauge.
Linkage Connected to Bourdon TubeThe quality of the welds at either end of the Bourdon Tube is critical - poor quality welds can rupture, ruining the gauge and perhaps contaminating the process.

The materials of the Bourdon Tube and inner parts of the gauge are determined by the requirements of the process.  The accuracy required, temperature of the environment and fluid characteristics all play key roles in pressure gauge component selection.

Click here to see Important Features of Precision Gauges or Return to the Precision Gauge Page

Please visit our webstore at www.fdpp.com to purchase pressure gauges and other fluid handling products such as strainers, valves and fittings.

 

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Phone: 908.362.9981 Fax: 908.362.5631 inquiry@fluidproducts.com
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