CH2007D

PROCESS INSTRUMENTATION
Lecture – 12
Differential Pressure Transmitters – 1
 Differential Pressure Meters and Transmitters
• The measurement of pressures in the range from 1 to 600 in of
water where the static pressure may be as high as 5000 psig or even
higher is one of the most common industrial problems.
• Differential pressure meters
– Differential-pressure indicating enlarged-leg manometer
– Bell differential-pressure meter
– Bellows differential-pressure meter
• Transmitters
– Inductance-coil system
– Resistance method
– Magnetic-clutch method
– Pneumatic-balance differential-pressure meter
– Electric pressure gage
 Differential-pressure indicating enlarged-leg manometer

• Used for differential pressures from 10 to 600

in of water at static pressures up to 5000 psig.
• A metal float contained in one leg of the
manometer follows the surface of the
mercury in responding to changes in
differential pressure.
• The motion of the float is transmitted out of
the housing by various mechanical and
electrical means.
• For protecting against surges or sudden
reversal of differential pressure, check valves
are used in the U tube.  especially
necessary to prevent blowing out the
mercury.
• The leg opposite the float chamber is called
the range tube, since by substituting tubes of
various diameters the span of the meter may
be altered.
 Single element bell differential-pressure meter
• Differential pressures from about 1 to 15 in. of water may be
measured.
• The static pressure can, in some cases, be as high as 800 psig.
• The bell meter is employed for lower
differential pressures in gases.
• The motion of the bell is taken from the
housing by various mechanical and
electrical methods.
• The bell is arranged to close the opening
at the top or bottom of the housing so
that protection is afforded against
overrange and reversal of pressures.
 Double Bell differential-pressure meter
• Light metal bells are supported on a beam pivoted on knife-edges.
• A counterweight W balances the deflection of the system.
• The liquid, usually an oil, merely acts as a pressure seal
• The static balance for small defections is
 Bellows differential-pressure meter
• Used for differential pressures in the range 25 in of water up to
about 50 psi at static pressures up to 2000 psig.
• The differential pressure acts across the large brass or stainless-steel
bellows, the resulting motion
of the bellows being transmit-
ted out of the housing by vari-
ous means.
• The motion of the bellows is
usually opposed by a spring.