How To Calibrate Pressure Gauges - 20 Things You Should Consider

23.8.
2018 How to calibrate pressure gauges - 20 things you should consider
ENG 
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Beamex Blog
for Calibration Professionals
How to calibrate pressure gauges - 20

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things you should consider

Posted by Heikki Laurila on Apr 5, 2017 3:29:26 PM
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23.8.2018 How to calibrate pressure gauges - 20 things you should consider
ENG 

20 things you should consider when calibrating pressure gauges

Pressure gauges are very common instruments in the process industry. As with any measurement
device, pressure gauges need to be calibrated at regular intervals to assure they are accurate. There
are many things to consider when calibrating pressure gauges. This article lists 20 things you should
consider when calibrating pressure gauges.
Please donwload related free white paper by clicking the below picture:
Contents - The 20 things you should consider

The 20 things discussed in the article are the following:
1. Accuracy classes
2. Pressure media
3. Contamination
4. Height difference
5. Leak test of piping

6. Adiabatic effectENG  
7. Torque
8. Calibration / mounting position
9. Generating pressure
10. Pressurizing / exercising the gauge
11. Reading the pressure value (resolution)
12. Number of calibration points
13. Hysteresis (direction of calibration points)
14. “Tapping” the gauge
15. Number of calibration cycles (repeatability)
16. Adjustment / correction
17. Documentation – calibration certificate
18. Environmental conditions
19. Metrological traceability
20. Uncertainty of calibration (TUR/TAR)
What is pressure?
Before we discuss each one of the things to consider when calibrating pressure gauges, let’s take a
quick look into a few more basic concepts.
What is pressure? Pressure is the force that is perpendicular to the surface divided by the area it is
effecting. So pressure equals force per area, or p = F / A.
There are a large number of different pressure units used around the world and this can be
sometimes very confusing. The engineering unit for pressure, according to SI system, is Pascal
(Pa), being a force of one Newton per one square meter area, 1 Pa = 1 N / m2. Since Pascal is a
very small unit, it is most often used with coefficients, such as hecto, kilo and mega. A large
number of different pressure unitgs are being used around the world. For more information on
pressure and different pressure units and their background, please see the blog post Pressure units
and pressure unit conversion.
For an on-line pressure unit conversion tool, please visit the page Pressure unit converter.
Pressure types
Several different pressure types exist including gauge, absolute, vacuum, differential and barometric.
The main difference ofENG types is the reference point against which the measured
thesepressure
pressure is being compared. Pressure gauges also are available for all of these pressure types. Also,
compound gauges are available, including a combined scale for both positive gauge pressure and
vacuum (negative gauge) pressure.
For more detailed information on different pressure types, please see post Pressure calibration
basics – pressure types.
Pressure gauges
When talking about pressure gauges, it is normal to refer to analog pressure indicators which are
provided with a pointer needle and a pressure scale. These are normally manufactured according to
EN 837 or ASME B40.100 standard.
Often these kind of analog pressure gauges are built with a Bourdon tube, diaphragm or capsule.
There is a mechanical structure that moves the pointer as pressure increases causing the pointer
move across the scale.
Pressure gauges are divided into different accuracy classes that specify the accuracy of the gauge
as well as other attributes. Available pressure ranges are typically divided in steps with coefficients
1, 1.6, 2.5, 4, 6 continuing into the next decade (10, 16, 25, 40, 60) and so on. The different gauge
diameters (of scales) are typically 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 115, 160 and 250 mm (1 ½, 2, 2 ½, 4, 4 ½,
and 6 inches). More accurate gauges typically have a bigger diameter.
Pressure connectors are normally parallel pipe threads (G) according to ISO 228-1, or taper pipe
threads (NPT) according to ANSI/ASME B1.20.1.
There are also digital pressure gauges that have a numeric pressure indication instead of an analog
pointer. This article focuses on analog gauges, but most of the principles are valid for both.
Pressure gauges are commonly used in all industries and are a very common instrument to be
calibrated. As with any process measurement device, it should be calibrated at regular intervals to
assure that it is measuring correctly. Gauges being mechanical instruments, adds the risk for them to
drift due to mechanical stress.
For more information on why you should calibrate instruments, please see the blog post Why
calibrate?
For more information on how often instruments should be calibrated, please see post How often
should instruments be calibrated?
The basic principle of calibration

ENG 

If we simplify the principle of a pressure gauge calibration to its minimum, we can say that when we
calibrate a pressure gauge, we provide a known accurate pressure input and read the indication on the
gauge, and then document and compare these. The difference in the values is the error and the
error should be smaller than the required accuracy for the gauge.
20 things you should consider

This section lists the 20 most common things you should consider when you are calibrating
pressure gauges.
1 - Accuracy classes
Pressure gauges are available in many different accuracy classes. Accuracy classes are specified in
ASME B40.100 (accuracy classes from 0.1 to 5 % range) as well as in EN 837 (accuracy classes
from 0.1 to 4 % range) standards. The accuracy class specification most often being “% of range”
means that if the accuracy class is 1% and if the scale range is zero to 100 psi, the accuracy is ± 1
psi.
Make sure you know the accuracy class of the gauge you are going to calibrate, as this will naturally
specify the acceptable accuracy level, but it will also have other effects on the calibration
procedure.
2 - Pressure media
When calibrating pressure gauges, the most common pressure media are gas or liquid. Gas is most
often regular air, but in some applications, it can also be different gases, such as nitrogen. Most
commonly, the liquid is water or oil. The pressure media during the calibration depends on the
media that is used in the process that the gauge is connected to. Media also depends on the
pressure range. Low pressure gauges are practical to calibrate with air/gas, but as the pressure
range gets higher it is more practical and also safer to use liquid as the media.
3 - Contamination ENG 

While installed in a process, the pressure gauge uses a certain type of pressure media, this should
be taken into account when selecting the media for the calibration. You should not use a media
during the calibration that could cause problems when gauge is installed back to process. Also, the
other way around, sometimes the process media could be harmful to your calibration equipment.
There can be dirt inside the gauge that can get into the calibration equipment and cause harm.
With a gas operated gauges, you can use a dirt/moisture trap, but for a liquid operated gauge, you
should clean the gauge prior to calibration.
One of the most extreme process situations is if the gauge is used in to measure the pressure of
oxygen. If any grease goes into a high pressure oxygen system during the calibration of the gauge,
it can be very dangerous and could cause an explosion.
4 - Height difference
If the calibration equipment and the gauge to be calibrated are at a different height, the
hydrostatic pressure of the pressure media in the piping can cause errors. This normally is not an
issue when gas is used as the media, as gas is light compared to liquid. But when liquid is used as
media, the liquid in the piping will have a weight due hydrostatic pressure and can cause errors. The
magnitude of the error depends on the density of the liquid and the difference in height, as the
gravity is pulling the liquid inside the tubing. If it is not possible to have the calibrator and gauge at
the same height, then the effect of height difference should be calculated and taken into account
during the calibration.
An example of effect of hydrostatic pressure:
Hydrostatic pressure is calculated as follows:

Ph = ρ g h
Where:
Ph = hydrostatic pressure
ρ = density of liquid (kg/m3)
g = local gravity (m/s2)
h = height difference (m)
As on example: if water is the media (density 997.56 kg/m3), local gravity is 9.8 m/s2 and there is
a 1 meter (3.3 feet) difference 
ENG  between the DUT and the reference equipment, this will cause an
error of 9.8 kPa (98 mbar or 1.42 psi).

Note that depending on the pressure to be measured, the error caused by the height difference
can be significant.
5 - Leak test of piping

If there are any leaks in the piping during the calibration, unpredictable errors can occur. Therefore,
a leak test should be done prior to calibration. The most simple leak test is to pressurize the system
and let the pressure stabilize for some time, and monitor that the pressure does not drop too
much. Some calibration systems (pressure controllers) may be able to maintain the pressure even
in case of a leak, if it has a continuous controller adjusting the pressure. In that case, it is difficult to
see a leak, so the controller should be closed to enable a closed system for a leak test. Adiabatic
effect should also always be taken into account in closed system, especially with gas a media, as
explained in the next chapter.
6 - Adiabatic effect
In a closed system with gas as the pressure media, the temperature of the gas effects the volume
of the gas, which has an effect to the pressure.
When pressure is increased quickly, the temperature of the gas will rise, and this higher
temperature makes the gas to expand, thus having a bigger volume and higher pressure. When the
temperature starts to cool down, the volume of the gas becomes smaller and this will cause the
pressure to drop. This pressure drop may seem like a leak in the system, but it is actually caused by the
adiabatic effect due to change in the gas temperature. The faster the pressure is changed, the
bigger is the effect is. The pressure change caused by this effect will gradually get smaller as the
temperature stabilizes.
So, if you change the pressure quickly, make sure you let it stabilize for a while before judging that
there is a leak in the system.
7 – Torque force
Especially for torque sensitive gauges, don’t use excessive force when connecting pressure
connectors to the gauge,
ENGas it

may damage the gauge. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for the
allowed torque force. Take the time to use proper tools, appropriate adapters and seals.
8 - Calibration / mounting position

Because pressure gauges are mechanical instruments, its position will effect to the reading.
Therefore, it is recommended to calibrate the gauge in the same position as it is used in the
process. Manufacturer’s specifications for the operation/mounting position should also be taken
into account.
A typical specification for a mounting position is that a change of 5 degrees in position should not
change the gauge indication more than half (0.5 times) of the accuracy class.
9 - Generating pressure
To calibrate a pressure gauge, you need to source the pressure applied to the gauge.
There are different ways to do that: you can use a pressure hand pump, a pressure regulator with a
bottle or even a dead weight tester. A dead weight tester will provide a very accurate pressure and
you don’t need a separate calibrator to measure the pressure, but dead weight tester is expensive,
not very mobile, requires a lot of attention to use and it is sensitive to dirt.
It is more common to use a pressure calibration hand pump to generate pressure and an accurate
pressure measurement device (calibrator) to measure the pressure. A pressure controller can also
be used to supply the pressure.
10 - Pressurizing / exercising the gauge

Due to its mechanical structure, a pressure gauge will always have some friction in its movement,
and may change its behavior over time, therefore you should exercise it before calibration. This is
especially the case if the gauge has not been applied with pressure for a while. To exercise, supply
the nominal max pressure and let it stay for a minute, then vent the pressure and wait a minute.
You should repeat this process 2-3 times before starting to do the actual calibration cycle.
11 - Reading the pressure value (resolution)

ENG 
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The scale in analog pressure gauges have limited readability. It has major and minor scale marks, but
it is difficult to accurately read the pressure value when the indicator is in between the scale marks.
It is much easier to see when the needle is exactly at a scale mark. Therefore, it is recommended to
adjust the input pressure so that the needle is exactly at an indication mark, and then record the
corresponding input pressure. If you just supply a certain accurate input pressure and then try to
read the indicator, it will cause errors due to limited reading accuracy.
Also, it is important to look at the indication perpendicular to the gauge scale. Many accurate gauges
have a reflecting mirror along the scale, behind the needle pointer. This mirror helps you read it,
and you should read it so that the mirror reflection of the needle is exactly behind the actual
needle. Then you know that you are looking perpendicular/straight at the gauge.
Picture: Left gauge in the below picture is difficult to read accurately as the indicator is between
scale marks, while the right one is easy to read since the applied pressure is adjusted so that pointer
is exactly on scale mark:
Picture: Many high accuracy pressure gauges are provided with a mirror along the scale, helping to
view the gauge perpendicular, as the mirror image of the pointer is hidden behind the pointer, or
with the help of the reflection of the pointer:
ENG 

Remaining topics
To prevent this blog post coming way too long, please download the white paper and read all the 20
topics from that.
The remaining topics not covered here include:
12 - Number of calibration points

13 - Hysteresis (direction of calibration points)
14 - “Tapping” the gauge
15 - Number of calibration cycles (repeatability)
16 - Adjustment / correction
17 - Documentation – calibration certificate
18 - Environmental conditions
19 - Metrological traceability
20 - Uncertainty of calibration (TUR/TAR)
ENG 

Related resources
Beamex products suitable for pressure calibration, including pressure gauge calibration:
https://www.beamex.com/calibrators/pressure-calibrators/
An online tool for pressure unit conversion on Beamex web site: Pressure unit converter
Related blog posts:

Why calibrate?
How often should instruments be calibrated?
Calibration uncertainty for dummies
Pressure calibration basics – pressure types
Pressure units and pressure unit conversion
Metrological traceability in calibration
What is a documenting calibrator and how do you benefit from using one?
Topics: Pressure calibration, pressure gauge
Written by Heikki Laurila

Heikki Laurila is Product Marketing Manager at Beamex Oy Ab. He started working for Beamex in
1988 and has, during his years at Beamex, worked in production, the service department, the
calibration laboratory, as quality manager and as product manager. Heikki has a Bachelor’s degree
in Science. Heikki's family consists of himself, his wife and their four children. In his spare time he
enjoys playing the guitar.
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Leave a reply ENG 


julian cairo 11.4.2017, 14:14:22
me gustaria que todos este traducido a español
Reply to julian cairo
Heikki Laurila 19.4.2017, 12:08:32
Dear Julian,
We have translating some material into Spanish and plan to do that more in the future.
Unfortunately this one is not yet translated.
Thanks for the comment,
Heikki
Reply to Heikki Laurila
Jose Quintero 17.4.2017, 17:26:03
Interesante material ! tambien me gustaria tener esta informacion en idioma español !

Muchas gracias !
Reply to Jose Quintero
Heikki Laurila 19.4.2017, 12:11:00
Dear Jose,
Thanks for your kind comments.
As you see my earlier comment, we are working to get more Spanish material in the future.
Thanks,
Heikki
Jose Quintero ENG 

 17.4.2017, 17:44:22
Interesante material ! tambien me gustaria tener esta informacion en idioma español !

Muchas gracias !
Reply to Jose Quintero
Amin Hamze 23.4.2017, 13:26:08
Hi
thanks for your beautiful explaination .
I have a question . for a analog gage what's the relationship between accuracy and
resolution?
which of them is smaller?i think normally it would be correct that accuracy must be smaller
than the distance between two minor sign in a analog gage . Is that correct?
Reply to Amin Hamze
Heikki Laurila 24.4.2017, 11:50:30
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your kind comments and a good question.
I can see that I did not cover that topic enough in the blog post.
There are several variables that will affect the relationship between gauge accuracy and
minor scale division (resolution). This depends on the: accuracy class of the gauge, the
nominal size (diameter) of the gauge and the pressure range of the gauge.
In most cases, it is like you suggested, i.e. the resolution (minor scale division) is actually
larger that the accuracy of the gauge. But that is not always the case.
If we look at the EN 837 standard and take some examples here:

• If we look at the accuracy class 0.6, which means that the gauge accuracy is 0.6 % of the
full range. Depending on the diameter and ranges, the resolution (minor scale division)
varies between 0.8% to 1.25% of full range. So, the resolution is a little bit larger than the
accuracy class, but not much.
• If we look at the accuracy classes 1, 1.6, 2.5 and 4, there are different situations. All of
these accuracy ENGclasses have
the common specifications for the scale numbering, although
the accuracies are different. The resolution of these varies between 1.6% to 5%. So we can
see that if you have accuracy class 1, the resolution is always larger than accuracy. But if
you have accuracy class 4 gauge, then the resolution is in most cases better than the
accuracy class.
Generally, we can say that if the gauge diameter is larger, then there are more scale
markings and the scale division is smaller and it offers better resolution compared to
accuracy class.
In practice, you can often read the indication of an analog gauge more accurately than the
minor scale division is. I mean that when the pointer is in between of scale marks, you can
estimate the indicated value between scale marks.
Hope this helped some.
Thanks,
Heikki
Ricardo Vilmenay 29.4.2017, 20:52:39
Dear Mr. Laurila
I would like to clarify a doubt regarding the part of "Height difference" where it explains the
effect that the hydrostatic pressure has on the system. Specifically my doubt is about the
formula you are using for that calculation where you are relating the gravitational
acceleration (g = local gravity (m / s2) and I do not see how to get to the 9.8 kPa result
when we start canceling units. As my best knowledge, the formula in the International
Measurement System (S.I.) for determining the hydrostatic pressure in kPa created by a
liquid head is as follows:
Ph = SG x h (kPa /0.102 m)
Where:
Ph = hydrostatic pressure (kPa, gauge)
SG = specific gravity of liquid (dimensionless)
h = liquid level (m)
As can be seen, only the specific gravity of the liquid (also known as relative density) and
the height is needed to determine the pressure exerted by the liquid column. Based on your
be:  
example this wouldENG
Water specific gravity = 1 (dimensionless)

Height of liquid column = 1 meter
Ph = SG x h (kPa/0.102 m) = 1 x 1 m (kPa /0.102 m) = 9.8 kPa
Reply to Ricardo Vilmenay
Ricardo Vilmenay 4.5.2017, 5:17:53
Dear Mr. Laurila
I would like to clarify a doubt regarding the part of "Height difference" where it explains the
effect that the hydrostatic pressure has on the system. Specifically my doubt is about the
formula you are using for that calculation where you are relating the gravitational
acceleration (g = local gravity (m / s2) and I do not see how to get to the 9.8 kPa result
when we start canceling units. As my best knowledge, the formula in the International
Measurement System (S.I.) for determining the hydrostatic pressure in kPa created by a
liquid head is as follows:
Ph = SG x h (kPa /0.102 m)
Where:
Ph = hydrostatic pressure (kPa, gauge)
SG = specific gravity of liquid (dimensionless)
h = liquid level (m)
As can be seen, only the specific gravity of the liquid (also known as relative density) and
the height is needed to determine the pressure exerted by the liquid column. Based on your
example this would be:
Water specific gravity = 1 (dimensionless)

Height of liquid column = 1 meter
Ph = SG x h (kPa/0.102 m) = 1 x 1 m (kPa /0.102 m) = 9.8 kPa
Reply to Ricardo Vilmenay
Heikki Laurila 1.6.2017, 12:35:43
Dear Ricardo,
ENG 

Thanks for the comments.
I must admit that I am not very familiar with the use the "relative density".
But as you did show it will get to the same result and is maybe a little bit easier calculation.
The way I came to Pascal unit (in the ρ g h formula)was:

997,56 kg/m^3 * 9,8 m/s^2 * 1 m = 9776 kg/m*s^2
As Pascal is N/m^2, and Newton is kg m /s^2, that result kg/m*s^2 (or kg*m-1*s-2 or
kg/(m*s^2)) is Pascal.
I'm sure you know that Pascal is one of the “derived” units in the SI system, being derived
from SI base units kilogram, meter and second.
I did anyhow convert that to kPa in the text, as Pa is so small unit.
Kind regards,
Heikki
alex flores 17.7.2017, 1:33:57
Interesante informacion
Reply to alex flores
Heikki Laurila 17.7.2017, 9:36:55
Thank you Alex!

Heikki
Zequek Estrada 20.7.2017, 17:32:29
There was a lot of pressure gauges that I wasn't aware of. I really liked that this simplified the
principle of it to its ENG
minimum.


Understanding the basics tends to make other aspects of this
type of equipment easier to understand.
Reply to Zequek Estrada
Heikki Laurila 31.7.2017, 10:09:36
Thank you for your feedback and nice comments.

I am always trying to simplify things to make it easier to digest, also keeping the text simple
being easier for people whose native language is not English.
Heikki
instrume .net 26.7.2017, 9:59:33
Great Article, thanks for sharing with us.
Reply to instrume .net
Heikki Laurila 31.7.2017, 10:11:57
Thank you for your kind comment.

Heikki
John Smith 28.7.2017, 11:55:36
Great information here. Thanks for that. The problem is that calibration of pressure gauges
is an often-overlooked process, which means that pressure readings could get
compromised. If a plant is working with pressure gauges that are out of calibration, they are
not only putting product quality at risk, they are also putting safety at risk.
Reply to John Smith

ENG 

Heikki Laurila 31.7.2017, 10:16:03
Hi John,
Thank you for your feedback and very good comments.
You are absolutely right, if pressure gauges (or any other important process
instrumentation) are not calibrated properly, they can cause product quality issues and also
safety issues. And these issues will cause even bigger issues for the company in the long
run.
Heikki
Alex Alex 3.8.2017, 15:10:21
Hi, Dear
Great tips. thanks for sharing with us.
Reply to Alex Alex
Yury Vielma 17.8.2017, 12:08:42
Thanks for the great informationthere are courses?
Reply to Yury Vielma
Heikki Laurila 17.8.2017, 15:02:49
Dear Yury,
Thank you for your comments.
We do offer many kinds of training, the availability depends on the country you are located
in.
Have a look at Beamex representative in your country in the below link and contact them
for training availability 
ENG in your country:
https://www.beamex.com/beamex-worldwide/
Thanks,
Heikki
JOSE ALVARADO 18.8.2017, 16:00:43
QUIESIERA SABER SI USTEDES DICTAN UN CURSO SOBRE ESTA PROFESION
Reply to JOSE ALVARADO
Heikki Laurila 21.8.2017, 8:10:58
Dear Jose,
We do offer many kinds of training, the availability depends on the country you are located
in.
Have a look at Beamex representative in your country in the below link and contact them
for training availability in your country:
https://www.beamex.com/beamex-worldwide/
Thanks,
Heikki
mohamed ali 18.11.2017, 8:28:35
how we identify the classes of the gauge ? can you plz explain briefly ....
Reply to mohamed ali
Heikki Laurila 21.11.2017, 9:05:41
Dear Mohamed,
Typically the pressure 
ENG gauge has the accuracy class indicated in it's front cover. It maybe
written as "Accuracy Class 0.6", or as "CL 0.6".

If there is no indication in the gauge, then you have to look it up from the specification of
that gauge.
mohamed ali 9.12.2017, 11:00:35
Dear Heikki Laurila ,

thank u for your reply . its give me a knowledge .... but some times there is no
specification from the manufacture...so how we can identify the class of gauges...... i
have a lot of confusion in EN 837.....in this standard many tables to identify the
classes of gauge ...but it's hard to understand ...can you please explain this
?.....hopefully waiting for your reply...
Reply to mohamed ali
Heikki Laurila 11.12.2017, 9:43:13
If the gauge have no accuracy class indicated and the manufacturer data is
not available, it gets a bit difficult.
You can guess something based on the diameter of the gauge, the bigger
ones are more accurate. Generally diameter 40 - 63 mm are 1.6 - 2.5 % and
100 - 160 mm are 1 %.
Also, the more accurate ones have more scale marks (better resolution).
MOHAMED ALI 12.12.2017, 11:34:07
Thank you so much ....for your answer .....your doing great job
Reply to MOHAMED ALI
ENG 

Heikki Laurila 12.12.2017, 11:43:15
Thanks a lot Mohamed.

I appreciate your comments.
Heikki
Fonkou Gabriel 19.11.2017, 6:07:51
Thank your for this
Reply to Fonkou Gabriel
Mario Lopez 30.11.2017, 4:16:27
Me gustaría de verdad que este artículo lo tuvieran traducido al español.
Reply to Mario Lopez
Heikki Laurila 30.11.2017, 8:22:30
Dear Mario,
Thank you for your interest on the article, I am sorry that we have not yet translated this
article into Spanish.
Please note that we have many articles translated into Spanish and these can be found in
our Spanish web site in following link:
https://www.beamex.com/es/white-papers-ebooks/
Thanks,
Heikki
Adebesin Adewunmi 9.1.2018, 9:32:02
i would like to receive 

ENGtipsand blogs on calibrations
Reply to Adebesin Adewunmi
Heikki Laurila 9.1.2018, 9:55:20
Hello Adebesin,
Thanks for your interest!
If you fill in your email address to the "Subscribe to Email Updates" field on the right hand
side of blog, or in blog footer, you will be notified by short email when a new blog post is
available. Normally that is once or twice in a month.
Or alternatively, you can fill in your email to the "Get calibration tips right to your inbox:"
that can be found in the footer of all our web pages.
Thanks,
Heikki
Kemal Önarslan 4.2.2018, 10:20:50
Dear Sir,
I would like to ask an important question,

I have just appointed as calibration supervisor to a project. I want to learn calibration
verification tolerance for manometers. I couldn't find anything on ISO...
Because the company wants me to make calibration verification of manometers every
months. What is the tolerance for calibration verification? (I will make verification with dead
weight tester, I want to learn the tolerance for verification, not calibration)...
It would be very appreciated if you can help me...
Best Regards
Reply to Kemal Önarslan
Heikki Laurila 7.2.2018, 15:51:05
Dear Kemal,
The standards don't
ENG mention

 "verification", they are talking about the "calibration".
So it is not perfectly clear to me what you mean with this verification, but I assume it is not
a full calibration, but a more simple "check" of the accuracy of the gauge in between actual
periodical calibrations.
Anyhow, I am not aware of any official recommendation of the tolerance for this kind of
verification.
But if you make this verification every month, I think the tolerance should be tighter than
the tolerance for the calibration that is done for example once per year. I mean if your one-
year calibration tolerance is for example 1%, it should not drift more than a fraction of that
in one month, especially in the beginning of that one year period, but can be closer to 1 year
tolerance when the time is getting closer to 1 year.
Feel free to send me email to discuss more.
Thanks,
Kemal Önarslan 8.2.2018, 6:55:07
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much for your clarfying informations. It is very impressive to see you
helping many people all over the world...
Best Regards
Reply to Kemal Önarslan
Heikki Laurila 8.2.2018, 8:14:32
Thanks a lot, Kemal!

I try to help if I can, and I like it!
Pressure Gauge 13.2.2018, 10:53:20
Dear Heikki Laurila.

ENG 

No doubt you have provided almost all details about gauges, I need recommendations for
some gauges. being a manager of my department it is my duty to provide the best. So, I am
gathering information about different measuring instruments including gauges from
different companies, would you please recommend any company including the one I have
mentioned?
Reply to Pressure Gauge
Heikki Laurila 13.2.2018, 12:30:34
Dear Mr. Pressur Gauge (I like your name!)

Thanks for your comments and for your trust in asking our opinion for the pressure gauge
alternatives.
I hope you don't mind, but we feel that we do not know well enough all the pressure gauges
in the market, and do not want to start recommending some model against others.
I hope you understand.
Thanks,
Heikki
misa amane 7.3.2018, 6:57:41
Thankyou onec again Heikki . Btw my name is MIsa :)
Reply to misa amane
Adewale Adeoye 22.2.2018, 17:42:42
I am a calibration technician in Lagos, Nigeria. I read one of Beamex books, which was of
great help to me. Thanks so much.
Reply to Adewale Adeoye
Heikki Laurila
ENG 
 23.2.2018, 8:21:33
Hi Adewale,
Thanks for your comments!
I'm glad the book was helpful.
All the best to Lagos.
Thanks,
Bobby Rahadian 2.4.2018, 8:03:12
Dear Mr. Heikki,
I just read ur blog and iam very interested with ur blog. I have a problem to make a decision
of acceptence criteria with differential pressure calibration. I was read at some literature
that shown the acceptance criteria of pressure calibration is 1,5% of full scale. But the
others is shown 10% of full scale. May u giving me any ideas to make sure which is better?
Notes = my result of calibration is always shown above of 1,5%. The range is 3 - 6 %.
Reply to Bobby Rahadian
Heikki Laurila 3.4.2018, 11:55:15
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for your kind comments and also for your questions.
The suitable acceptance criteria depend on many things. It depends on the accuracy of the
instrument you are calibrating, on the accuracy need of your process using that meter, on
the criticality of that measurement the instrument is being used, on the regulatory
requirements, on the customer requirements and also on the uncertainty of your
calibration equipment.
So it is impossible for me to suggest a suitable acceptance criteria without knowing all the
details.
I have listed some things to consider for example in the followings:

ENG 

"Calibration out of tolerance" post:
https://blog.beamex.com/calibration-out-of-tolerance-what-is-it-and-what-to-do-
next-part-1-of-2
"How often to calibrate"

https://blog.beamex.com/how-often-to-calibrate-update
Maybe these can provide some useful things to consider.
Thanks,
Heikki
Bobby Rahadian 6.4.2018, 7:31:43
Dear Mr. Heikki
Thanks for the answers given and I concluded to use the accuracy of the instrument
I calibrated. Your answer really helped my problem. For the second question, I want
to ask how the temperature influence on pressure reading? the example of the case
study is I want to calibrate the differential pressure with a capacity of 0 - 60
Pascals. In the calibration process I also read thermohygrometer to read
temperature and RH environment. At point 0, I read the temperature of 25.1
degrees Celsius. point to 10 i read 25.6 degrees celcius. But the numbers do not
show any instability. Do I still have to write the temperature readings at each point?
or just enough once when I am in the process of taking data?
Thank you for your help,
Best Regards,
Bobby Rahadian
Reply to Bobby Rahadian
Heikki
ENG 

Laurila 9.4.2018, 10:13:29
Hi Bobby,
In our accredited pressure calibration lab, when we make a calibration we

always record the environmental temperature to the calibration certificate.
It is recommended to always record the temperature during a pressure

calibration. In most pressure calibrations it is anyhow enough to record the
temperature in the beginning, or in the end of the calibration. If the
calibration takes a long time, then both temperatures should be recorded.
But this depends very much on the instrument to be calibrated, and how
sensitive that is for temperature changes. If e.g. a pressure gauge is
calibrated and it is not sensitive for temperature, it is not that critical and one
temperature is enough to record.
But if the instrument to be calibrated is sensitive for temperature changes,
then it gets more important to record temperature, even in every calibration
point.
Most instruments have a temperature coefficient specified, so you can see
how sensitive your device is.
Also, one thing to consider is the difference of the actual process

temperature where the instrument is used and the calibration temperature.
For example, if an instrument is used to measure how steam pressure and
you calibrate it in room temperature, you should be aware of the
affect/difference this makes to the results.
It is common that during the calibration, the temperature of the pressure

media (gas) changes some. In your case it seems that the temperature
changes about 0.5 degree during a 10-point calibration. So not that much. If
this change does not seem to have any effect on the device, I suggest
recording the temperature either once or then both start and end of
calibration.
Adewale Adeoye 10.5.2018, 12:08:04
I need a standard procedure 

ENG  guideline in recording readings of analogue pressure gauges
values. When the pointer falls between graduation, do i record the closest graduation value
or an estimate decimal value in addition to the upper graduation.
Heikki Laurila 14.5.2018, 9:55:49
Dear Adewale,
Generally, you can read the analog gauge with higher precision than the scale marks
(graduation).
In our lab we normally use the reading accuracy of 1/5 of the scale marks, i.e. the space
between the scale marks is divided in 5 steps. The lab guys said that this 1/5 is based on a
standard.
Adewale Adeoye 14.5.2018, 17:37:21
Thanks for that 1/5 division of the space between scale marks info. I would love to know the
name of the standard. The book i read by Beamex is "Ultimate Calibration" Thank you
Heikki Laurila 16.5.2018, 14:48:46
Dear Adewale,
The main source for this specification is in the standard EN 837-3; "Pressure gauges - Part
3: Diaphragm and capsule pressure gauges - Dimensions, metrology, requirements and
testing".
In the section 10.2 (Accuracy and hysteresis) The standard states following: "Pressure
readings shall be interpolated between 1/4 and 1/10 of the distance between two scale
marks."
So depending on how accurate scales marks there are in the pressure gauge, you can divide
the distance between the scale marks with a number from 4 to 10.
So the readability 
ENGis between
 1/4 to 1/10 of the scale marks.
The standard does not specify how to select the divider.
I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Adewale Adeoye 17.5.2018, 15:26:09
Thanks for your help. Trivially, our lab practice here is to wrap the thread(Teflon)
tape clockwise around pressure gauges threading. I would like to know if this is a
generally workshop best practice.
Heikki Laurila 17.5.2018, 15:43:31
Hi Adewale,
The use of teflon tape depends on the threads on the pressure gauge, or in
any pressure connectors.
In case you have a "tapered" thread in the pressure connector (NPT), you will
need to use teflon tape to prevent leakage.
But if you have a parallel thread (BSP or G), you should never use tape, but
use a sealing washer instead.
Adewale Adeoye 18.5.2018, 16:35:20
Great! Your reply has made me make more research into different threadings. I would still
like to know what direction should the Teflon tape be wrapped around an everyday
thread(righthanded). Clockwise or anticlockwise?

ENG 

Heikki Laurila 21.5.2018, 8:19:48
Hi Adewale,
The tape should be put so that when you tighten up the connector, the tape goes tighter.
If you put the tape wrong way, it starts to come loose when you tighten the connector.
Thanks,
gauges tools 19.6.2018, 10:35:49
Very useful and so peaceful blog for us. Such a good work and so good write up.
Reply to gauges tools
Heikki Laurila 19.6.2018, 10:40:29
Thanks for the kind comments!
Adewale Adeoye 9.7.2018, 13:20:24
Kindly add more comments on the adjustments of pressure gauge readings deviation.
Pointer extraction and/or pointer gears realignment.
Heikki Laurila 31.7.2018, 15:09:16
Dear Adewale,
Thanks for the good suggestion.
I will see if I can have something added.

Thanks, ENG 

Ashley Maxwell 16.7.2018, 23:50:49
Thanks for mentioning how a thread gage should be good at calibrating. I also like how you
said that they should control pressure as well too. My husband and I are looking for a thread
gage; thanks for the post. http://westportcorp.com/gages/thread.html
Reply to Ashley Maxwell
Angela Grayson 27.7.2018, 10:02:34
You know when it comes to high pressure more knowledge is better. Like your Blog and
your ideas and i think its beneficial for us and i keep to visit your blog regularly because i got
lot of information through you blog. Thank your for this info.
Ammonia Loss Reporting
Reply to Angela Grayson
Heikki Laurila 30.7.2018, 10:48:23
Hi Angela,
Thanks for the comments, you are welcome to come back at anytime... ;-)
By the way, if you subscribe for blog notifications in the blog, you will be automatically
notified by email when a new blog post is published.
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How To Calibrate Pressure Gauges - 20 Things You Should Consider

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23.8.

2018 How to calibrate pressure gauges - 20 things you should consider

How to calibrate pressure gauges - 20

things you should consider

20 things you should consider when calibrating pressure gauges

Contents - The 20 things you should consider

5. Leak test of piping

The basic principle of calibration

20 things you should consider

Hydrostatic pressure is calculated as follows:

error of 9.8 kPa (98 mbar or 1.42 psi).

5 - Leak test of piping

8 - Calibration / mounting position

10 - Pressurizing / exercising the gauge

11 - Reading the pressure value (resolution)

12 - Number of calibration points

Related blog posts:

Topics: Pressure calibration, pressure gauge

Written by Heikki Laurila

Leave a reply ENG 

julian cairo 11.4.2017, 14:14:22

me gustaria que todos este traducido a español

Reply to julian cairo

Heikki Laurila 19.4.2017, 12:08:32

Reply to Heikki Laurila

Jose Quintero 17.4.2017, 17:26:03

Interesante material ! tambien me gustaria tener esta informacion en idioma español !

Reply to Jose Quintero

Heikki Laurila 19.4.2017, 12:11:00

Reply to Heikki Laurila

Jose Quintero ENG 

Interesante material ! tambien me gustaria tener esta informacion en idioma español !

Reply to Jose Quintero

Amin Hamze 23.4.2017, 13:26:08

Reply to Amin Hamze

Heikki Laurila 24.4.2017, 11:50:30

Thank you for your kind comments and a good question.

If we look at the EN 837 standard and take some examples here:

Hope this helped some.

Reply to Heikki Laurila

Ricardo Vilmenay 29.4.2017, 20:52:39

Dear Mr. Laurila

Water specific gravity = 1 (dimensionless)

Ph = SG x h (kPa/0.102 m) = 1 x 1 m (kPa /0.102 m) = 9.8 kPa

Reply to Ricardo Vilmenay

Ricardo Vilmenay 4.5.2017, 5:17:53

Dear Mr. Laurila

Water specific gravity = 1 (dimensionless)

Ph = SG x h (kPa/0.102 m) = 1 x 1 m (kPa /0.102 m) = 9.8 kPa

Reply to Ricardo Vilmenay

Heikki Laurila 1.6.2017, 12:35:43

The way I came to Pascal unit (in the ρ g h formula)was:

I did anyhow convert that to kPa in the text, as Pa is so small unit.

Reply to Heikki Laurila

alex flores 17.7.2017, 1:33:57

Reply to alex flores

Heikki Laurila 17.7.2017, 9:36:55

Thank you Alex!

Reply to Heikki Laurila

Zequek Estrada 20.7.2017, 17:32:29

Reply to Zequek Estrada

Heikki Laurila 31.7.2017, 10:09:36

Thank you for your feedback and nice comments.