2/21/2018 5 Techniques For Pressure Gauge Adjustment and Repair - calibration awareness

Pressure Calibration Procedure

5 Techniques For Pressure Gauge

Adjustment and Repair
by EDSPONCE on JUNE 2, 2017 with 5 COMMENTS

Pressure gauge calibration is one of the simple field in instrument

calibration. It has a simple set up where you can easily execute the

calibration. But pressure gauge is also one of the instruments where

errors are mostly encountered.

Most errors are either it is out of tolerance or the needle is out of the zero

settings. When this happens, do not immediately throw or discard the

gauges. Luckily, there are still ways to adjust or repair them.

In this post, I will share to you 5 ways of adjusting a pressure gauge, how

to identify them and execute the adjustment. Pressure gauges have so

many applications and therefore have also many construction designs.  I

will present in this post the different set ups depending on its construction.

Below are some reasons why Shifted Zero position of an analog

pressure gauges are getting out of pressure gauge needle

whack (out of tolerance or not in the

zero settings):
 

1. Changes in the altitude and temperature (due to changes in environmental factors).

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2. Exposure to over pressure where the bourdon tube is over stressed.

3. Overused or over exposed to pressure cycle

4. Exposure to high temperatures and excessive vibrations

Before we execute the gauge adjustment or repair,

below are some considerations that you should
determine in order to save time and e ort.
1. A reading near its full-scale value is shifted to more than 10%( a span shift)

2. Pressure gauges that have a zero shifted to more than 25 % (a zero shift)

3. Gauges with signs of leakage and corrosion of its body.

4. Gauges with a needle showing error due to excessive friction or wear on its movement (loose)

5. With damage sockets and threads.

You can see more in this article from  ASHCROFT

5 Techniques to Adjust or Repair

a Pressure Gauge
1. Opening a vent to release pressure build up

2. Opening the Glass (or plastic cover) then removing the needle.

3. Adjusting the screw located behind inside the needle mechanism

4. Adjusting the knob at the lower side of the pressure gauge

5. Adjusting the screw located at the gauge needle pointer itself.

Be reminded that above techniques depend on the construction or design of the pressure gauges.

1. Opening a vent to release pressure build up

This is the simplest technique. Due to changes in temperature and altitude, a pressure inside the pressure

gauge will be formed and affect the needle settings to zero. You can correct this by just opening the vent to

release the pressure.

Do not forget to return or re-seal the vent. The oil may leak and may damage the gauge.

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Sample location of the Pressure gauge vent. Just open to then return to original position once done.

2. Opening the Pressure Gauge Protective Glass (or

plastic cover) then removing the needle.
For a non-oil filled gauges and it is not permanently sealed (most oil filled gauges are permanently sealed

where adjustment or repair is not possible).

Remove the glass cover (some are plastic) and remove the needle pointer.

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Pressure Gauge adjustment through the removal of the needle pointer.

( see at the bottom of the page the tool to remove the cover and needle easily and safely).

To correct the Zero Shifts:

Once the cover is removed, you can now pull the needle. Once the needle is removed, position it on the zero

scale then push to return. Verify the reading.

To correct Span Shift:

Once the needle is removed, connect the pressure gauge to a known pressure source (the Electronic

Deadweight Tester or Fluke 754 with set of pressure modules) then generate pressure of about 50% of its Full

scale.  Once the pressure is set, return the needle on the same value as the supplied pressure. For example,

generate a 100 psi pressure from the reference standard, then fix the needle on the 100 psi scale reading on

the pressure gauge.

Most of the time, returning the needle on the zero position solves this problem.

3. Adjusting the knob at the lower side of the pressure

9
Shares gauge

Pressure G

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Some pressure gauges has an adjustable knob in the lower side of the body. This is a diaphragm type

pressure gauge that is usually used in water treatment pipings.

Just remove the lock then the knob will freely turn to adjust the needle.

4. Adjusting the screw located inside the pressure

gauge mechanism

Pressure Gauge with an adjustable

screw inside its mechanical.

Some have an adjustable screw inside the body, at the back of the needle. This type ot gauges are used in

gas lines.

Access the screw inside the gauge by removing the cover. Turn the screw and return the needle to zero

position.

5.  Adjusting the screw located at the gauge needle

pointer itself

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Pressure Gauge needle with adjustable screw

Some has an adjustable screw integrated on the needle itself .Once the cover is removed, use a screw driver

and carefully turn the screw to position the needle. See figure above.

Some useful tools.

1. Ashcroft 3220 Hand Jack Set Gauge Needle Puller. You can use this tool to remove the needle safely and

effectively:

Ashcroft 3220 Hand Jack Set

Gauge Needle Puller

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click here to check at Amazon

Pointer removal tool kit in u…

In removing the needle, be careful not to pull the needle so hard to avoid damaging the pinion mechanism.

Some needles are very tight where you can pull the pinion with it. In order to avoid this, you may use this tool.

2. Strap Wrench Set. Use this tool to remove the glass cover safely and easily.

Click here to check at

Amazon: Craftsman 2

pc 16” Rubber Strap

Wrench Set

  Craftsman 2 pc 16” Rubber Strap

Wrench Set
 
Removing the glass cover of a pressure gauge
 
using a strap wrench.

There it is, I have shared the different techniques to adjust or repair a pressure gauge. You can save a

pressure gauge by following or choosing the right set up suited for a specific pressure gauge. I will add here

other types just in case I see a new one.

To learn how to calibrate a pressure gauge, visit this post pressure-gauge-calibration-using-fluke-754-

process-calibrator-with-a-set-of-fluke-pressure-modules

Thank you for visiting my site, please subscribe and comment.

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 Pressure Calibration Procedure

5 Responses

Deb Pearl October 6, 2017 | Reply

My husband has a pressure gauge on one of his machines that is broken and he would like to fix it. That is

great that you can fix the needle by taking off the glass and then can adjust the needle by using the screw on

the needle. I think that would help my husband a lot! Thanks for the information!

edsponce October 6, 2017 | Reply

Hi Deb,

I am glad that I have helped you. Do not forget to verify the pressure reading once the needle has been

adjusted.

Thanks for taking time leaving a positive comment, I appreciate it.

Best regards,

Edwin

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Frank Bonanno February 18, 2018 | Reply

The first one is to open the vent the one with the rubber pointy end.

You don’t mention to cut it off.

The reaso I ask I have a few at work the same type with a label next to it once installed to cut the point off.

Your feedback would be much appreciated.

Regards

Frank

edsponce February 18, 2018 | Reply

Hi Frank,

Thank you for your comment. Yes, this must be done before or during use and installation, you need to

cut the pointy end as you described. This will ensure to release pressure built up inside the mechanism

(parts). As time goes by, a pressure will build up inside the body of the gauges and in order to correct or

prevent this, you need to cut (if it has a pointy end) or turn it to open position.

Hope this help, appreciate your comment.

Thanks and regards,

Edwin

Frank Bonanno February 18, 2018 | Reply

Forgot to mention the gauges at work are installed on pool pumps.

Regards

Frank Bonanno

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