Experiment No.

Date Performed: 07/02/15

Title: VACUUM GAGE CALIBRATION

Date Submitted: 07/13/15

Authors: Tortugo, Jonathan P. II & Barcelona, John Rey

1. INTROUCTION
1.1
THEORY
The measurement of low-pressure is a very specialized field, which
requires considerable care on the part of the calibration and researchers in the
low-pressure regions.
For moderate vacuum measurements the bourdon gage, manometers, and
others like diaphragm gages may be used. Before using the vacuum gage, dial
type, in the diverse industrial applications calibration of dial type vacuum gage is
invariably checked against the standard mercury manometer
The vacuum gage is a bourdon gage with reverse action. Where the
pressure is applied to the inside of the tube causing elastic deformation to
straighten it, the vacuum inside the tube causes the reversal of the deformation
into curling During the process of calibration, the first process is to obtain the
vacuum in an increasing value at constant interval. The second process is to
obtain vacuum in a decreasing value progressively back to the original first

reading.

C
C

B
E
D

Fig A. Schematic diagram of the Vacuum Gage Calibration

With the mercury manometer in used, it is necessary to observe the temperature near the
mercury column so that the observed eight of the mercury column can be corrected to a
temperature at which the relationship between pressure and height is known. The coefficient of
cubical

Temperature C

Coefficient of Expansion

0
10
20
32
43

0.000 0998
0.000 1000
0.000 1002
0.000 1004
0.000 1007

expansion
Table A. Coefficient of 3-Dimensional Expansion of Mercury

For every accurate work, allowance must be made for the linear expansion
in the capillary. Linear coefficient of expansion of mercury at 0C is 0.000 018 per
degree Celsius. Observation taken in the calibrating of a vacuum gage should be
recorded and computed error tabulated in a form similar to the following:

Number of

Decreasing

Gage Reading
Increasing

Reading

Vacuum

Vacuum

Manometer
Mean

Mean Error

The error of the gage is determined by the comparison of the mean of the
increasing and decreasing vacuum gage reading with the actual or manometer
reading of vacuum.

2. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

2.1
Specs and Pictures
- An instrument used to measure the pressure
exerted by liquids and gases.

Fig 1. Simple U-tube mercury manometer

- A gauge for testing pressure

after the production

of a

vacuum.

Fig 2. Vacuum gage dial type

- a pump used for
creating a vacuum

Fig 3. Vacuum pump

2.2

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP:

3.
A. Take and

METHODOLOGY
record the barometric pressure and temperature

reading before proceeding with the succeeding steps of the experiment.

B. Connect one-end of the U-tube manometer A with a rubber tubing to the opening of
the T-joint B which is in communication with the vacuum vessel D. The other end of
the manometer must be left open to the atmosphere.
C. Attach the vacuum gage C, which is ideal type to be calibrated to the other vessel D.
The other end of the same T-joint which is in communication with the vacuum vessel
D.
D. Connect the rubber tubing the vacuum vessel D to the vacuum pump F. Make sure
that all joints are securely tight.
E. With the vacuum control valve E fully open, plug in the electric wire to the 220V
main line. Partially close the vacuum control valve E until a reading is obtained from
both the manometer and the vacuum gage. Record both readings. Gradually close the
control valve E and take reading of both manometer and the vacuum gage.
F. Repeat the process of calibrating the vacuum gage at 5cm (2) interval of the mercury
column of increasing vacuum until the full range of the gage is attained. This is the so
called ascending vacuum calibration.
G. Reverse the procedure of step 6 by decreasing the vacuum until the zero is again
attained. This reverse procedure is the descending vacuum gage calibration, recording
also at 5cm (2) interval of the mercury column of the manometer.

4. DATA AND RESULTS

Table 1.

Manometer
Trial

Reading

1
2
2
4
3
6
4
8
5
10
6
12
7
14
8
16
9
18
10
20
11
22
12
24
Discussion of Data:

Gage
Reading
1.75
4
5.75
8
9.75
12
13.75
16
17.75
20
21.75
24

1.5
4
5.75
8
9.75
11.5
13.75
16
17.75
20
21.75
24

Error
Average
1.625
4
5.75
8
9.75
11.75
13.75
16
17.75
20
21.75
24

Manometer
Reading
0.375
0
0.25
0
0.25
0.25
0.25
0
0.25
0
0.25
0

% Error
Gage Reading
23.08%
0%
4.35%
0%
2.56%
2.08%
1. 82%
0%
1.41%
0%
1.15%
0%

We recorded values or measurements for both the U-tube manometer and vacuum
gauge in inches mercury (inHg) with 2 inches or 5 cm as an interval in every trial. The
first column of the gage reading is the increasing while the second column under the gage
reading is the decreasing vacuum. To get the values of for error manometer reading,
simply subtract the average from manometer reading. On the other hand, the %Error gage
reading is obtained by dividing the error manometer reading by the average. We noticed
that the manometer reading is always greater than or equal with the gage reading, both
increasing and descending. And also, the readings did not vary that much even when we
do it in increasing or decreasingly vacuum.

5. CONCLUSION
I and my group mate had taken into consideration the errors in performing the
experiment on the calibration of the vacuum gage, either by human error or errors done
by the equipments itself. Mercury column manometers are broadly used as primary
standards for the calibration of low vacuum gauges. These devices employ U-tube type

arrangement and are capable of most accurate measurements in this range. During the
process of calibration, the first process is to obtain the vacuum in an increasing value at
constant interval. The second process is to obtain vacuum in a decreasing value
progressively back to the original first reading.

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4656/2002/0354-46560204189N.pdf