Fluid Mechanics
Calibration of a Bourdon Pressure Gauge
H 3a
A Borden pressure gauge with visible working mechanism to demonstrate how this type of
pressure gauge works and how to calibrate it.
Ke y f e at u res
• Demonstrates ‘dead weight’ calibration of a Bourdon gauge
• Bourdon gauge has transparent dial so students can see how it works
• Suitable for group demonstrations and student experiments
• Simple to operate
• Compact, bench-mounting unit
• Self-contained – needs no extra services
TecQuipment Ltd, Bonsall Street, long eaton, Nottingham NG10 2AN, UK
tecq u ipment. c o m +4 4 115 972 2611 sales@tecquipment.com
pe/DB 0422 Page 1 of 2
Calibration of a Bourdon Pressure Gauge
H 3a
Description Learning Outcomes
Many engineering applications use the Bourdon Function, operation and calibration of a Bourdon tube
gauge. TecQuipment’s Calibration of a Pressure Gauge pressure gauge
experiment allows students to study Bourdon tube theory.
They see the working mechanism, calibrate the gauge Essential Services
and compare theoretical results to experiment results. B ench space needed:
The apparatus is a Bourdon gauge connected to a dead 400 mm x 500 mm
weight tester. The Bourdon gauge has a transparent
dial that allows students to see the working mechanism. O per ating C o nd itio ns
The mechanism is a thin walled tube with an oval cross-
O perat ing enviro nment:
section, bent into an arc. One end of the tube is held
rigidly. This end admits pressure. The other end of the Laboratory
tube, connected to a dial and pointer mechanism, is free Storage temperature range:
to move. When the pressure in the tube increases, it tries
–25°C to +55°C (when packed for transport)
to straighten and so moves the pointer by an amount
proportional to the pressure increase. O perat ing t emperat u re ra nge:
To calibrate the gauge, students add weights to a platform +5°C to +40°C
on a dead weight tester. The weights put a known force O perat ing relat ive hu midit y ra nge:
on to a piston. The piston has a known area, so students
can calculate the pressure. A flexible tube containing 80% at temperatures < 31°C decreasing linearly to 50% at
water transfers the pressure on the piston to the Bourdon 40°C
tube. Students add the weights in increments, recording
pressure readings from the gauge at each increment. Specifications
They then remove the weights and record gauge TecQuipment is committed to a programme of continuous
readings. By working out theoretical results they can work improvement; hence we reserve the right to alter the
out gauge error and discuss possible causes. design and product specification without prior notice.
Net t dimensio ns:
Standard Features
320 mm long x 160 mm front to back x 250 mm high
• Supplied with a comprehensive user guide
Main assembly with piston: 4 kg + 2 kg
• Five-year warranty Set of weights 5.2 kg
• Manufactured in accordance with the latest European Total 11.2 kg
Union directives Packed dimensio ns:
• An ISO 9001 certified company 0.11 m3 and 12 kg
Weights:
Four 1 kg weights, two 0.5 kg weights, one 0.2 kg weight
Bourdon gauge scale:
Graduated in 0 to 200 kN.m–2 in 10 kN.m–2 intervals.
B o u rdo n t u b e a rc:
Approximately 270°
Maximum dead weight tester load:
5.2 kg
Typical gauge error:
1 kN.m–2 over the entire range
Note: TecQuipment individually machines the cylinder and
piston of each product to a high tolerance. Therefore they
are not interchangeable between units.
TecQuipment Ltd, Bonsall Street, long eaton, Nottingham NG10 2AN, UK
tecq u ipment. c o m +4 4 115 972 2611 sales@tecquipment.com
pe/DB 0422 Page 2 of 2
