A digital pressure gauge is a device that displays the amount of measured pressure in an integrated digital display. It senses the pressure from gas and displays it in digital format. It does not require an operator to read the pressure value from the needle’s position as analog pressure gauges do. Instead, a digital pressure gauge utilizes a transducer. The transducer functions to convert the pressure value into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is the one that reflects the amount of the pressure reading. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
DuraChoice Co.
Irving, TX | 800-540-3050DuraChoice Co. specializes in design, manufacturing, and distribution of valves, fitting, and related products for commercial and industrial uses. We offer a variety of products including stainless steel and brass ball valves, gate valves, stainless steel and brass fittings, butterfly valves, industrial valves and fittings, and OEM and special products. We are located in Irving, Texas but serve customers nationwide. Visit our website or call us today for more information about our products!
Gage-It, Inc.
Sellersville, PA | 800-869-7294For the highest quality pressure gauges, the only call you need to make is to Gage-It. We are a distributor of process gauges, contractor gauges, low pressure gauges, precision test gauges, stainless steel gauges and liquid filled gauges. If what you need isn’t in stock, we’ll get it! We serve industries such as; automotive, biotechnology, dairy/food, government, printing, pharmaceutical & more.
Winters Instruments
Toronto, ON | 800-946-8377Winters Instruments is a global instrumentation manufacturer of products such as high and low pressure gauges, differential pressure gauges and much, much more. We cover all markets including wastewater, petrochemical, HVAC, plumbing, food & beverage as well as many others. Our pressure gauges and thermometers have a 5-year warranty, while all other products carry a standard 1-year warranty.
Lenz
Dayton, OH | 937-277-9364Since 1946, Lenz has been manufacturing quality products including pressure gauges-stainless steel, liquid filled pressure gauges and much more. We provide fluid power solutions to companies of all kinds. Our newest products include the MC-20 indicating gauge, plus three sight gauges.
Depending on the application and design, many different digital pressure gauges exist. There are portable gauges and installed gauges. Some digital pressure gauges are designed for field use and can be moved from one point to another for local readings. Other digital pressure gauges are designed for installation in specific applications like pipelines. These are for continuous use, and their application is more permanent. Digital pressure gauges require a power source to function.
The Working Principle of a Digital Pressure Gauge
Digital pressure gauges utilize pressure sensors for converting pressure into an electronic signal. There are many different sensors, but the piezoresistive pressure sensor is the most widely used. This type of sensor consists of a diaphragm with piezoresistive elements. The medium pressure causes deflection of the diaphragm. This deflection, in turn, causes a change in the cross-sectional area of the piezoresistive elements. This change is coupled directly to the electrical resistance.
Types of Digital Pressure Gauges
The different types of digital pressure gauges include:
Gauge Pressure
This type of digital pressure is vented into the atmosphere. Therefore it works by measuring all pressures relative to the atmospheric pressure which changes as the weather changes. This type of pressure gauge can only measure positive pressure.
Compound Pressure Gauge
Positive and negative (vacuum) pressures are both measured using compound pressure. In most cases, applying a complete vacuum won't harm a gauge that solely reads gauge pressure, which is positive pressure. Consider a compound pressure gauge, nevertheless, if it is necessary for the gauge dial to show both positive and negative pressure.
When monitoring positive pressure, the pointer will rotate counterclockwise; when monitoring negative pressure, it will rotate clockwise. In low-pressure applications, such as HVAC systems, test chambers in laboratories, or any other situation where both positive and negative pressures need to be read, compound pressure gauges can be used to check for leaks in pressurized lines.
Vacuum Pressure Gauge
Vacuum pressure gauges measure negative pressure, or pressure that is lower than atmospheric or barometric pressure. This gauge only reads negative pressure or vacuum because it is calibrated at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, this gauge can indicate when the recorded pressure is lower than atmospheric pressure. Dials for vacuum pressure gauges typically read clockwise. However, as the gauge is subjected to an increasing vacuum, the pointer spins counterclockwise. Therefore, 0 pressure will be in the 270-degree zone on a gauge with a typical 270-degree dial arc.
Sealed Pressure Gauge
This type of pressure gauge is not vented to the atmosphere. The reference chamber of this type of pressure gauge is sealed at the factory, mainly for dusty, wet or dirty environments for protecting the internal electronics. These types of pressure gauges are used for measuring positive pressure.
Absolute Pressure Gauge
This type of pressure gauge is not vented. The reference point for this type of pressure gauge is sealed at its origins under a full vacuum. Therefore vacuum pressures are even considered positive measurements.
Applications of Digital Pressure Gauges
- Digital pressure gauges are used for measuring the condition of a gas.
- They are utilized in heat exchangers
- They are utilized in refineries
- Digital pressure gauges are used in Petrochemical plants
- They are used in Chemical plants
- They are used in clean rooms
Benefits of Digital Pressure Gauges
- Pressure unit readings are displayed in a variety of ways. These readings eliminate the need for the operator to perform conversion calculations to obtain readings as alternatives to different units of measurement.
- A digital pressure gauge eliminates parallax error. Digital pressure gauges can simply display the pressure's numerical value.
- Operators can display pressure units in a variety of ways. This function eliminates the need for the operator to perform conversion calculations to obtain readings in alternative units of measurement.
- A digital pressure gauge eliminates parallax error. Digital pressure gauges can display the pressure's numerical value.
- Digital pressure gauges can easily take readings in low light conditions since they are powered units with back-lit display capability.
- Digital pressure gauges provide steady readings in applications with high vibration levels that would cause bouncing around the needles of analog pressure gauges.
- Most digital pressure gauges can be set to various pressure ranges, while analog pressure gauges can only work in a predetermined pressure range.
- Digital pressure gauges provide greater precision than mechanical gauges.
Disadvantages of Digital Pressure Gauges
- On digital pressure gauges, trending or fluctuating values cannot be easily seen as on mechanical gauges.
- They require a power source which is typically a battery. However, the battery has a limited life.
- Solar-powered models are available for digital pressure gauges but require a continuous light source.
