Tips For Preserving The Pressure Gauges In Your Industrial System
Posted on: 19 February 2019
Anytime you're dealing with industrial equipment that requires a delicate pressure balance, you will need reliable, consistent pressure gauges to monitor those pressure levels. Unfortunately, those pressure gauges aren't invincible. Understanding exactly what can cause gauge failure will help you to proactively prevent equipment failures that can result from faulty readings.
Vibration Damage
Vibration is a common environmental hazard around industrial equipment, and everything in contact with that equipment is likely to suffer from some level of vibration damage. Gauges are no exception to this. In fact, the delicate components of most gauges can be particularly sensitive to severe vibration. Not only can vibration cause damage to the pointer components over time and lead to inaccurate readings, but it can also lead to the pointer shaking inside the gauge in general, making it difficult to read the result. You can minimize your risk of this type of damage by choosing a direct-drive or a liquid-filled gauge instead of a traditional gauge.
Extreme Temperature
In some industrial environments, the equipment operates at extreme temperatures. If that equipment is operating with gauges that aren't designed to withstand those extreme temperatures, it can lead to serious damage. The gauges can suffer failure due to an inability to withstand the temperatures of the fluid or gas flowing through them. Make sure that you select heavy-duty gauges that are designed for extreme temperature use to avoid this risk.
Over-Pressurization Damage
When you work with equipment that is sustained at high pressure, you probably have gauges that are designed for high-pressure systems. However, sometimes even those aren't enough when you face surges of pressure. When the pumps are turned off and on in the equipment, that can lead to a surge of pressure that may overwhelm the gauges. It's best to invest in gauges that can withstand at least double the highest pressure you expect from your equipment to minimize the risk of this type of damage because it could lead to inaccurate readings otherwise.
Corroding Components
If the fluid that's being pumped through your equipment is corrosive, you run the risk of corrosion damaging the internal components of your pressure gauges. When that happens, it will ultimately lead to gauge failure. The internal components will eventually deteriorate, and the gauge will stop functioning.
If you are working with particularly corrosive fluids, your gauges need to hold up to that. Talk with your pressure gauge supplier about corrosion-resistant gauges to help ensure longevity and durability.
Debris And Clogs
Any kind of debris in the fluid can get trapped behind the gauge needle. This can result in the needle reading either much lower or much higher than the actual pressure in the system. Ultimately, it could result in blown seals and gaskets if the pressure is excessive in the system and the gauge is still reading in the normal range.
Your gauges can get clogged for many different reasons. In some cases, it is the result of a particularly viscous fluid in the system that thickens and clogs the gauge. In other cases, poor equipment maintenance leads to metal shavings and other debris in the fluid. You should be sure that the gauges you use are rated for the viscosity of the fluid you are using and that you flush and clean the system according to the manufacturer's recommendations to avoid these problems.
The more you understand about the response of your system's gauges in various applications, the easier it is to avoid malfunctions. From knowing the hazards to choosing the right gauges for your needs, you can keep your system flowing and functioning properly with the right care and attention.
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