Why, When and How to Calibrate Pressure Gauges for Better Performance?

Pressure gauge calibration is critical for the safety and quality of your employees, staff and around the pressure gauge, according to which medium flows in a pressure gauge. The calibration of a pressure gauge may appear to be a minor need. However, its application can have a major effect on Either safety & audits. In this post, we explain why you should calibrate your pressure gauge, what calibration exactly means, and the regulations of pressure gauge calibration. We also show you how to calibrate your pressure gauge in four steps.

What is the Calibration of Pressure Gauge?

First and foremost, what does calibrating mean? Calibration is required when comparing a reference with a known error margin to an instrument under test (for example, a pressure gauge). If the instruments (the pressure gauge) do not match the reference, we change them to achieve the specified measuring precision or at the very least, come near.

The reference measurement instrument must be more precise than the pressure gauge being calibrated, and it must also be traceable. To calibrate a pressure gauge, we must examine the values across the complete measurement range, including the zero-point, intermediate values, and full-scale value. A digital pressure gauge is necessary to ensure consistent and traceable readings. Digital pressure gauges are more accurate, with an average of 0.1% to 0.05%.

Why Calibrate the Pressure Gauge?

Pressure gauges are getting more durable and accurate, but their accuracy diminishes over time. A pressure gauge begins to drift. Drift occurs when instruments gradually become less accurate than when they were first authorised. Of course, like most things, the higher the quality, the longer it will last. As a result, WIKA pressure gauges are likely to be more accurate out of the box than their alternatives.

However, this means that gauges must be calibrated regularly if they are to continue producing accurate readings. Calibration of pressure gauges is frequently advised before installation, as part of a preventive maintenance campaign, during shutdowns, and during annual ISO audits.

Now-a-days two types of pressure gauges are performed. This is an option for organizations or industries calibration where your pressure gauges will be re-linearized.

When to Calibrate Pressure Gauges?

At least once a year, get your pressure gauge calibration by the manufacturer or an accredited service partner. This is required for ISO audits and IMO compliance. Instruments should be tested to ensure reliability in working conditions and recalibrated at regular intervals." The Administration should authorise test protocols for instruments as well as recalibration intervals. We recommend analysing these intervals once a year. On-site calibration can be performed whenever it is deemed necessary.

How to Calibrate Your Pressure Gauges?

1.     First, you'll need some equipment. We will walk you through the procedures to accomplish an onsite pressure gauge calibration that you can do yourself. You'll need a pressure hand pump (available in a variety of sizes), a digital pressure gauge to use as a reference, adaptors to alter the threading, and, of course, your pressure gauge to test.

2.     You will use the leavers to manually run the pressure pump, attach the digital pressure gauge to the pump's top, and connect the calibrated pressure gauge to the adaptor and the pump's end.

3.     After connecting everything, turn the pressure pump's air escape valve to the right to close it. This prevents air from escaping from the pump and allows pressure to be sent to the gauge. Then, turn on the digital pressure gauge and steadily add pressure. If your pressure gauge is working properly, you should be able to visibly see the same number of bars (or psi) on both the digital and analogue pressure gauges.

4.     These steps should be repeated at least four distinct set points on the tested pressure gauge. For example, if you must calibrate a pressure gauge using a 0 to 100 bar scale, test and compare the pressure at 20, 40, 60, and 80 bar. If the calibrated pressure gauge's accuracy falls short of what the manufacturer initially guaranteed, you should pursue certified pressure gauge calibration or immediate replacement.