EXPERIMENT 2:

The accuracy of a Bourdon Pressure Gauge

Objective / Hypothesis
1. To determine the pressure of a Bourdon pressure gauge using dead weight tester
2. To determine the accuracy of the Bourdon Pressure Gauge.

Abstract
Bourdon Tube Pressure is a popular method for measuring pressure differences. The pressure
sensing element is an oval-sectioned tube bent into a circular shape. One end of the tube is
attached to the gauge case and the other is connected to the fluid to be measured. The other
end is closed and free to move because it is connected to a pointer via a mechanical linkage
and a gear sector. As the measured fluid pressure rises above that of the surrounding
environment, the tube cross-sectional tends to straighten out, causing the tube to deflect at
this second end. This motion is transmitted to the pointer via a linkage, which directly
indicates the gauge pressure on the calibrated scale or dial. Because the Bourdon tube
pressure gauge is widely used, the stiffness of the internal components varies from factory
setup, necessitating calibration to provide accurate pressure readings. Calibration entails
comparing pressure gauge readings to a highly accurate device. The so-called "Dead Weight
Tester" is one of the calibration devices available in our lab. A dead weight tester was used in
this experiment to determine pressure and accuracy on a bourdon tube pressure gauge. The
piston was loaded with weights, and the indicated Bourdon tube pressure was measured. The
error and percentage of error that occur inside the Bourdon tube will be calculated and
compared to the true pressure exerted by the total mass in this experiment. The error that
occurs in the Bourdon tube is inconsistent, according to the experimental results.

Procedures
1. The weight of the piston was weighed and recorded.
2. The piston cross-sectional area was measured and recorded.
3. Any pockets of air trapped in the tube was cleared by tilting and the apparatus was
tapped gently.
4. The piston was removed and water was poured into the cylinder until it was full to the
overflow level.
5. The piston was replaced in the cylinder and the pressure gauge reading was recorded.
6. 2 kg of weight was added and the pressure gauge reading was recorded.
7. 1 kg of weight was added and the pressure gauge reading was recorded.
8. 500 g of weight was added and the pressure gauge reading was recorded.
9. 250 g of weight was added and the pressure gauge reading was recorded.
10. Each weight and pressure gauge reading was removed and recorded one at a time.
11. The piston was removed gently while the pressure gauge was being used.
Results  

Cross-section Mass Total Calculated INCREASING %Pressure

area of piston, added to mass, Pressure PRESSURE READING Error =
A=πr   2
piston M = mass (kN/m ),
2
Gauge Pressure, Pg [(Pc – Pg) / Pg] x 100
(m )2
(kg) piston + Mg (kN/m )
2

Pc = ÷
mass A
dead 1000
weight
(kg)

0 0.5555 + Pc= 23.54 [(22.15-23.54)/23.54

A=π(8.75x10-3)2 0 0.5555(9.81) x 100
= 2.46 x 10-4 = 0.5555 2.46 x 10−4 = -5.90
÷ 1000 = 5.90
= 22.15

2.00 2.5555 101.91 101.01 0.80

1.00 3.5555 141.79 146.12 2.96

0.50 4.0555 161.73 165.73 2.41

Cross-section 0.25 4.3055 171.69 177.50 3.27

area of piston,
A=πr 2 Mass Total Calculated DECREASING %Pressure
(m )2 removed mass, Pressure PRESSURE Error = 
from M = mass (kN/m ),
2
READING  [(Pc – Pg) / Pg] x 100
piston piston + Mg Gauge Pressure, Pg
Pc = ÷
(kg) mass A (kN/m )
2

dead 1000
weight
(kg)

0 4.3055 171.69 171.62 0.04

0.25 4.0555 161.73 165.73 2.41

= 2.405 x 10-4 0.50 3.5555 141.79 148.08 4.25

1.00 2.5555 101.91 109.83 7.21

2.00 0.5555 22.15 24.52 9.67

 Calculation:
1. Calculated pressure, Pc.
2. Gauge reading, Pg. (NOTE: The unit MUST converted into kN/m2)
3. % Pressure error.
4. Plot the graph Gauge pressure vs. Calculated pressure (both increasing and
decreasing, in the same graph).

Gauge Pressure vs Calculated Pressure

200
180
Gauge Pressure (kN/m2 )

160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Calculated Pressure (kN/m2)

Increasing Pressure Reading Decreasing Pressure Reading

Discussion
In this experiment, we need to determine the pressure of a Bourdon pressure gauge using
dead weight tester and the accuracy of the Bourdon Pressure Gauge. A 2 kg, 1 kg, 0.5 kg and
0.25 kg weights was added in convenient increments and at each increment the pressure
gauge reading was observed. Then, we plotted the graph Gauge pressure vs. Calculated
pressure (both increasing pressure reading and decreasing pressure reading). Although, slight
error can be observed when there is distance between the gauge pressure and calculated
pressure.
There are several factors may influence the result of this experiment, such as when the piston
is pressed into the cylinder, pressure is applied to it, which can impact the gauge pressure
reading obtained during the experiment[1]. Besides that, there are air bubbles trapped inside
the pipe when the experiment is carried out[1]. Moreover, parallax error probably occurs
when the observer eyes are not perpendicular to the scale of the bourdon gauge while the
value of the gauge pressure is observed[1]. Furthermore, high temperature to affect accuracy.
If a high temperature media acts on the bourdon tube for an extended period of time, the bend
becomes permanently distorted, affecting pressure gauge accuracy[2].

There are several way to minimise the error and inaccuracy in the experiment can be
considered. First of all, we need to keep our eyes level with the gadget until no shadow of the
pointer can be seen when taking a reading from the Bourdon tube[1]. Also, we can install
some devices to decrease the high temperature affect the pressure gauge, such as siphon,
radiator, diaphragm, and capillary in high temperature working[2].

Conclusion
In conclusion, we need to determine the pressure of a Bourdon pressure gauge using dead
weight tester and the accuracy of the Bourdon Pressure Gauge. Based on the graph, the
higher is the total mass piston and dead weight tester, the higher is the gauge pressure. The
Bourdon gauge gives more accurate reading when measuring high pressure compared to that
of low pressure.

List of references
a) J. W. Ireland (1971); Mechanic of Fluids; Butterworth & Co (Publishers) Ltd.
b) Factors to Affect the Pressure Gauge Accuracy,such as high temperature ,overload. (n.d.).
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