Diaphragm pressure gauges are considered as specialists along the way industries. They enter into play when Bourdon tube pressure gauges reach the limits of these performance. Among the benefits of diaphragm pressure gauge s is the measurement of low pressures.
Diaphragm pressure gauges can be recognised from the initial look: From the flanges below the case, between that your elastic pressure element ? the diaphragm element ? is clamped. These instruments can measure pressures from only 16 mbar, with the utmost value at around 25 bar (for comparison: Bourdon tube gauges reach their lowest physically possible measured value at 600 mbar). The larger the diaphragm element, the low the measurable pressure is, relative to the formula ? pressure = force / area. WIKA uses two diaphragm sizes: with a diameter of 134.5 mm for the measuring ranges of 0 ?16 mbar up to 0 ? 250 mbar and a diameter of 76.5 mm for the measuring ranges of 0 ? 400 mbar up to 0?25 bar.
Special variation of diaphragm pressure gauges
With pressures under 16 mbar, diaphragm pressure gauges hit their limits. Because of this case, their diaphragms would need to be exceptionally thin in order to achieve the required elasticity. Then, however, they might no more remain reliably stable. This problem could be solved, though, with a particular variation of the diaphragm pressure gauge: the capsule pressure gauge.
Capsule elements consist of two diaphragms welded together, which are generally packed with pressure from the within. This results in a double diaphragm travel. In this manner, even the lowest of pressures could be measured without reducing the wall thickness. However, because the pressure chamber is not self-draining, capsule elements aren’t suitable for applications with liquid media.
Note
You can find more info on diaphragm pressure gauges on the WIKA website under the headings Pressure gauges and Pressure gauges with output signal.
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Benefits of diaphragm pressure gauges (2): High overload protection