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Total and Partial Pressure Measurement in Vacuum Systems pp 1–38Cite as

Mechanical manometers

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Abstract

The simplest vacuum pressure gauge is the glass U-tube containing mercury or some other low vapour-pressure liquid. One limb of the tube is connected to the vacuum chamber, the pressure above the other being held at some fixed value by means of an auxiliary vacuum system. Usually the pressure in the auxiliary vacuum is maintained at a very low level compared with that in the main chamber, so that the unknown pressure is given directly by the difference in levels of the two liquid columns. Differences in level of 0.1 mm can just be detected by eye. This sets a limit of minimum pressure change detectable to 0.1 mbar for a mercury filling. The sensitivity can be increased approximately 15 times by replacing the mercury with a low-vapour-pressure oil (because of the reduced density), such as butyl phthalate or Apiezon diffusion-pump oil. This allows pressure differences of the order of 10−2 mbar to be detected by eye. There are many descriptions of the practical details of this type of gauge, those by Biondi1 and Maslach2 being good examples. Damage to the vacuum system can occur all too easily if fluid is forced out of the manometer by a sudden and large pressure difference set up accidentally across it, for example due to the pressure in one limb rising to atmospheric. The damage can be prevented by simple splash traps put in each of the two arms of the U-tube some distance above the liquid surfaces3.

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  1. Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, England

    J. H. Leck (Emeritus Professor)

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© 1989 Blackie & Son Ltd.

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Leck, J.H. (1989). Mechanical manometers. In: Total and Partial Pressure Measurement in Vacuum Systems. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0877-5_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0877-5_1

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