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•Full Article: Pressure Gauge Selection — 7 Key Steps To Consider

By Lou Altieri,
Senior Product Manger, Ashcroft Inc

Mechanical pressure gauges, which require no external power, provide an affordable and reliable source of accurate pressure measurement. When selected using the criteria described below, maximum gauge life can be expected.

Step 1: Gauge Process
The wetted parts of the pressure gauge, the Bourdon tube and socket must be compatible with the process media. If not compatible with the wetted parts of the gauge, corrosion will occur. Corrosion of gauge wetted parts will eventually cause gauge failure and possibly safety issues.

Bourdon tubes are most often manufactured from phosphor bronze, 316 stainless steel, or Monel. Less frequently, they are produced from 304 stainless steel, Inconel, or steel. If the process medial is not compatible with the wetted parts of the gauge, a diaphragm seal/gauge isolator can be used to prevent the process media from contacting the Bourdon tube. The diaphragm seal when supplied with wetted parts compatible with the process not only protects the gauge from corrosion attack, but also serves to prevent viscous or extremely dirty media from clogging the Bourdon tube. When attached to a gauge, a diaphragm seal will add an additional minimum error of 0.5% to the gauge/seal assembly.

Both pulsation and vibration will decrease the life of the gauge if not properly dampened. Gauges subject to pulsation and vibration should be liquid filled or internally dampened. Ashcroft gauges offer a unique patented method of gauge dampening that provides the performance of a liquid filled gauge without any of the complications associated with liquid fills.

Available accessories that minimize stresses on the Bourdon tube/movement and extend the life of the gauge include pulsation dampeners, pressure snubbers, gauge savers, and diaphragm seals.

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Click Here To Download:
•Full Article: Pressure Gauge Selection — 7 Key Steps To Consider