BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

472:1995

Pressure gauges —
Vocabulary

The European Standard EN 472:1994 has the status of a

British Standard
BS EN 472:1995

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted to Technical

Committee GEL/65, Measurement and control, upon which the following
bodies were represented:

British Coal Corporation

British Gas plc
British Nuclear Fuels plc
Electrical Contractors’ Association
Electricity Association
Energy Industries Council
GAMBICA (BEAMA Ltd.)
Health and Safety Executive
Institution of Gas Engineers

The following bodies were also represented in the drafting of the standard,
through subcommittees and panels:

British Compressed Air Society

British Compressed Gases Association
British Fluid Power Association
British Pressure Gauge Manufacturers’ Association
Department of Trade and Industry (National Engineering Laboratory)

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Electrotechnical
Sector Board, was published
under the authority of the
Standards Board and
comes into effect on Amendments issued since publication
15 September 1995
Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 01-2000

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference GEL/65
Draft for comment 91/24810 DC

ISBN 0 580 24628 0

 BS EN 472:1995

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
National foreword ii
Foreword 2
Text of EN 472 3

© BSI 01-2000 i
BS EN 472:1995

National foreword

This British Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee GEL/65 and is
the English language version of EN 472:1994, Pressure gauges — Vocabulary
published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).
No British Standard is superseded.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity

from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the EN title page, pages 2 to 7 and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.

ii © BSI 01-2000
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 472
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 1994
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

UDC 681.2.084.83:001.4

Descriptors: Measuring instruments, manometers, vocabulary

English version

Pressure gauges — Vocabulary

Manomètres — Vocabulaire Druckmeßgeräte — Begriffe

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1994-10-19. CEN members

are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© 1994 Copyright reserved to CEN members

Ref. No. EN 472:1994 E
EN 472:1994

Foreword Contents
This European Standard has been prepared by Page
Technical Committee CEN/TC 141, Pressure Foreword 2
gauges, of which the secretariat is held by AFNOR.
0 Introduction 3
This European Standard shall be given the status of
1 Scope 3
a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by 2 Definitions relating to pressure gauges 3
April 1995, and conflicting national standards shall 3 Definitions relating to pressure gauge
be withdrawn at the latest by April 1995. components 3
In accordance with the CEN/CENELEC Internal 4 Definitions relating to the characteristics 5
Regulations, the following countries are bound to Index 7
implement this European Standard: Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.

2 © BSI 01-2000

0 Introduction
In the preparation of this International Standard,
the following two principles have been followed as
far as possible:
— to standardize suitable terms without
perpetuating unsuitable terms merely because
they have been used in the past;
— to discard any term which is used with
different meanings and to replace it by a term
which has an unequivocal meaning.
1 Scope
This European Standard defines the fundamental
and general terms to be used for pressure gauges.
2 Definitions relating to pressure
gauges
2.1
indicating pressure gauge
a measuring instrument which displays the value of
the applied pressure by means of a pointer relative
to a scale
2.2
indicating pressure gauges with an elastic
measuring element
instrument in which the mechanical measuring
sequence directly transmits the elastic deformation
of the sensing element to the indicating device,
consisting of a pointer and a graduated scale
2.3
pressure gauge
an indicator of the applied (gauge) pressure with
respect to the atmospheric pressure
2.4
vacuum gauge
an indicator of the applied (gauge) vacuum with
respect to the atmospheric pressure
2.5
combined pressure and vacuum gauge
a combined indicator of the applied (gauge) pressure
or vacuum with respect to the atmospheric pressure
2.6
absolute pressure gauge
an indicator of absolute pressure, i.e. pressure
relative to a complete vacuum
NOTE This description therefore does not apply to pressure
gauges graduated in absolute pressure units, the indications of
which are influenced by variations of atmospheric pressure.
© BSI 01-2000
EN 472:1994
2.7
differential pressure gauge
a pressure gauge used to measure the difference
between two applied pressure and/or vacuum
values, the metallic pressure-responsive element(s)
of which drive(s) one pointer
2.8
duplex pressure gauge
a pressure gauge used to measure two applied
pressure and/or vacuum values, by means of two
separate pressure-responsive elements in one case,
each of which drives its own pointer
2.9
control pressure gauge
a pressure gauge fitted with one or more switches
which open or close one or more control circuits
depending on the pointer position
2.10
edgewise pressure gauge
a pressure gauge with a rectangular dial for flush
mounting in a panel or a control board, where the
pivotal axis of the pointer lies in a plane parallel to
the plane of the panel or control board
2.11
liquid filled pressure gauge
a pressure gauge, the case of which is filled with a
liquid
2.12
safety pattern gauge
a gauge incorporating safety features and
particularly suitable for use with high pressure
gases and steam
3 Definitions relating to pressure
gauge components
3.1 pressure-responsive element
An elastic element which undergoes deformations
under the effect of pressure variations. It may be a
Bourdon tube, diaphragm, diaphragm capsule,
bellows or other type of element.
3.1.1
bourdon tube
a type of spiral pressure-responsive element where
a tube with a non-circular cross-section is bent into
a circular or coiled shape. Under the effect of the
internally applied pressure the tube tends to
straighten. The deflection induced is proportional to
the pressure applied
3
EN 472:1994
3.1.2
diaphragm
a type of pressure-responsive element usually in the
form of a concentrically corrugated membrane
where the pressure applied causes the diaphragm to
deflect in proportion to the pressure
3.1.3
capsule
a type of pressure-responsive element comprising of
two diaphragms suitably shaped and joint
pressure-tight around their circumference. The
pressure commonly acts on the interior of the
capsule and the expansion generated thus is
proportional to the pressure
3.1.4
bellows
a type of pressure-responsive element in the form of
a thin-walled convoluted tube. The change in its
length is proportional to the pressure
3.2
movement
an assembly by means of which the deformations of
the pressure-responsive element are transformed
and enlarged into an angular variation
3.3
pressure element assembly
the assembly of all the pieces coming into contact
with the fluid whose pressure is measured
3.4 connection
The part by which the pressure gauge can be
coupled to the pressure tapping of the plant,
pipework or equipment.
3.4.1
shank
the part of the gauge that includes the screwed
connection, the spanner flats, square or hexagon,
the spigot, and the inlet orifice
3.4.2
screwed connection
the threaded portion of the shank
3.5 pointer
The index, the position of which, in relation to the
scale, indicates the value of the measured pressure.
3.5.1
adjustable pointer
a pointer with an adjustable device for zero
correction
4 © BSI 01-2000
3.5.2
maximum pointer
a secondary pointer driven by the pointer which
stays at the maximum value reached by the latter
3.5.3
pointer stop
a screw, stud, or other projection, fitted to limit the
travel of the pointer
NOTE It is not the function of a pointer stop to act as an
overload stop.
3.6
adjustable mark
a moving index operated from the outside and not
driven by the indicating pointer, used to place a
reference mark on the dial
3.7
case
the casing which contains the pressure-responsive
element, parts of the pressure element assembly
and the movement. It may also include a safety
device. The front face of the case may be circular,
square or rectangular
3.8 blow-out device
A safety device incorporated in the case or back
plate to permit the rapid and safe dissipation of
internal pressure in the event of a leakage or burst
in the pressure responsive element.
3.8.1
blow-out back
a safety device incorporating the greater part of the
back of the case
3.8.2
baffle wall
a barrier between the pressure responsive element
and the dial, so disposed that, in the event of a
leakage or burst in the pressure responsive element,
the blast would be dissipated away from the front
3.8.3
removable back plate
a plate at the back of the case, that is removable for
the purpose of giving access to the interior
3.9
flange
the circular, square or rectangular part, removable
or fixed, projecting from the case, on which the
latter is mounted
3.10
window
the transparent front intended for protection of the
pointer, dial and control devices, if any
 EN 472:1994

3.11 3.16
bezel ring adjustment
the part which retains the window on the case operation of bringing a pressure gauge into a state
3.12 of performance suitable for its use
clamp 3.17
the part used for mounting clamp fixing pressure user adjustment
gauges on panel boards the operation intended to bring a pressure gauge
3.13 into a state of performance and freedom from bias
spacer suitable for its use, employing only the means at the
disposal of the user
the distance piece, ring, or collar separating the
window from the dial 4 Definitions relating to the
3.14 characteristics
dial
4.1
that part of an indicating device, fixed or moving, nominal size
which carries the scale or scales
a conventional alpha-numerical designation
3.15 scale (of an indicating device) relating to the size of the pressure gauge
An ordered set of scale marks, together with any 4.2
associated numbering, forming a part of an nominal range
indicating device.
for each scale range, the set of indicated values of
3.15.1 the applied pressure for which a pressure gauge
scale length gives values within that scale range
for a given scale, the length of the line between the NOTE The nominal range is expressed in units of the applied
first and the last scale marks and passing through pressure regardless of the units marked on the scale, and is
normally stated in terms of its lower and upper limits,
the centres of all the shortest scale marks for example – 200 mbar to + 400 mbar.
NOTE The line may be real or imaginary, curved or straight.
4.3
3.15.2 span
scale range
the modulus of the difference between the two limits
for a given scale, the set of scale values between the of a nominal range of a pressure gauge
extreme scale marks
EXAMPLE
NOTE The scale range is expressed in the units marked on the
scale, regardless of the units of the applied pressure and is Nominal range – 200 mbar to + 400 mbar:
normally stated in terms of its lower and upper limits, span 600 mbar.
for example 0 bar to 100 bar.
4.4
3.15.3 specified measuring range
scale division
the set of values of an applied pressure for which the
the part of a scale between any two successive scale error of a pressure gauge is intended to lie within
marks specified limits
3.15.4 4.5
scale spacing accuracy class
the distance between any two successive scale a class of pressure gauge which meets certain
marks measured along the same line as the scale metrological requirements that are intended to keep
length errors within specified limits
NOTE Scale spacing is expressed in units of length, regardless NOTE An accuracy class is usually denoted by a number
of the units of the applied pressure or the units marked on the adopted by convention and called the class index.
scale.
4.6
3.15.5
limits of permissible error
scale numbering
the extreme values of an error permitted by
the set of numbers, associated with scale marks,
specifications, regulations etc. for a given pressure
which correspond to the set of values of the applied
gauge
pressure defined by the scale marks

© BSI 01-2000 5
EN 472:1994

4.7 4.9
error (of indication) of a pressure gauge hysteresis
the indication of a pressure gauge minus the true the property of a pressure gauge whereby its
value of the applied pressure response to a given stimulus depends on the
4.8 sequence of preceding stimuli
repeatability of a pressure gauge NOTE Although hysteresis is normally considered in relation to
the applied pressure, it may also be considered in relation to
the ability of a pressure gauge to give, under defined influence quantities.
conditions of use, closely similar responses for
repeated applications of the same stimulus
NOTE The defined conditions of use are usually as follows:
— repetition over a short period of time;
— use at the same location under constant ambient
conditions;
— reduction to a minimum of the variations due to the
observer.

6 © BSI 01-2000
 EN 472:1994

Index
A E pointer stop 3.5.3
absolute pressure gauge 2.6 edgewise pressure gauge 2.10 pressure element assembly 3.3
accuracy class 4.6 error (of indication) of a pressure pressure gauge 2.3
adjustable mark 3.6 gauge 4.7 pressure-responsive element 3.1
adjustable pointer 3.5.1
adjustment 3.16 F R
flange 3.9 removable back plate 3.8.2
B repeatability of a pressure gauge 4.8
baffle wall 3.8.2 H
bellows 3.1.4 hysteresis 4.9 S
bezel ring 3.11 safety pattern gauge 2.12
blow-out back 3.2.1 I scale (of an indicating device) 3.15
blow-out device 3.8 indicating pressure gauge 2.1 scale division 3.15.3
Bourdon tube 3.1.1 indicating pressure gauges with an elastic scale length 3.15.1
measuring element 2.2 scale numbering 3.15.5
C scale range 3.15.2
capsule 3.1.3 L scale spacing 3.15.4
case 3.7 limits of permissible error 4.6 screwed connection 3.4.2
clamp 3.12 liquid filled pressure gauge 2.11 shank 3.4.1
combined pressure and vacuum gauge 3.5 spacer 3.13
connection 3.4 M specified measuring range 4.4
control pressure gauge 2.9 maximum pointer 3.5.2
movement 3.2 U
D user adjustment 3.17
dial 3.14 N
diaphragm 3.1.2 nominal range 4.2 V
differential pressure gauge 2.7 nominal size 4.1 vacuum gauge 2.4
duplex pressure gauge nominal span 4.3
W
P window 3.10
pointer 3.5

© BSI 01-2000 7
BS EN
472:1995
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