CALIBRATION OF PRESSURE GAUGE

AIM: To check the accuracy of a Bourdon tube pressure gauge using dead weight tester. INTRODUCTION: Many types of gauges are available for measurement of pressure. The Bourdon gauge (named after its inventor Bourdon) uses the deflection of a tube of oval cross-section to cause to cause a pointer to move over a scale. Because of its simplicity and low cost, and the large selection of pressure ranges, which are available, the Bourdon gauge is widely used in engineering practice. ll pressure gauges, of whatever type, needs to be calibrated. s the calibration may change over a period, repeat calibrations may well be needed from time to time. The normal calibration procedure is to load the gauge with known pressures, using a dead weight tester using oil. The present e!periment, however, works satisfactorily with water instead of oil. "n this e!periment we check the accuracy of the Bourdon Tube pressure gauge. The procedure will be to calibrate the gauge by applying weights of known magnitude to the piston of known cross-sectional area and hence create a known (calibration) pressure. The e!periment will e!plore gauge error and prompt discussion of common gauge errors such as hysteresis, friction and backlash scale marking. THEORY: The mechanism of the gauge may be seen through the transparent dial of the instrument. tube, having a thin wall of oval cross-section, is bent to a circular arc encompassing about #$% degrees. "t is rigidly held at one end, where the pressure is admitted to the tube, and is free to move at the other end, which is sealed. &hen pressure is admitted, the tube tends to straighten, and the movement at the free end operates a mechanical system, which moves a pointer round the graduated scale ' the movement of the pointer being proportional to the pressure applied. The sensitivity of the gauge

depends on the material and dimensions of the Bourdon tube( gauges with a very wide selection of pressure ranges are commercially available.

PROCEDURE: ). To fill the cylinder, the piston is removed, and water is poured into the cylinder until it is full to the overflow level. ny air present in the tube may be cleared by tilting and gently tapping the apparatus. The piston is replaced in the cylinder and allowed to settle. #. *nsure the cylinder is vertical. +. Masses are added gradually in appro!imately , increments upto a ma!imum of -.# kg. .. The pressure gauge readings should be recorded at each increment of loading. -. To prevent the piston sticking, rotate the piston gently as each mass is added. /. 0everse the procedure, taking readings as the masses are removed. $. The cross-sectional area and the mass of the piston should be recorded. PRECAUTIONS: ). 1n no account should more than the supplied masses be loaded. #. 2o not drop the masses onto the platform.

RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS: The actual hydrostatic pressure (p) in the system due to a mass of M kg (including the piston mass) applied to the piston is given by3
p= M 9.81 10 3 kN / m 2 A

&here

is the piston area in m# 4 *rror 5

Gauge Reading - Actual pressure 100 Full scale deflection

The observed and derived results are tabulated in the form of following table.

RESULTS: 9auge 0eading 6r. 7o. Mass added (kg) Total (kg) ctual "ncreasing :ressure (k78m#) k78m# 2ecreasing :ressure (k78m#)

9auge error "ncreasing :ressure 4 2ecreasing :ressure 4

mass pressure

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS:

GRAPHS: ). 9auge pressure against actual pressure #. 9auge error against actual pressure CONCLUSION: