Uncertainty evaluation in industrial pressure measurement

In the process and manufacturing industry, pressure is one of the variables that most often need to be recorded and monitored. Whether in standard applications or under special operating conditions, each application requires pressure gauges that are perfect for their needs. In Germany, pressure gauges are calibrated by accredited calibration laboratories, according to guideline DKD-R 6-1 (DKD-R 6-1, 2014). This calibration guideline establishes minimum requirements for the calibration procedure and the measurement uncertainty calculation when calibrating pressure gauges. In addition to the uncertainty contributions due to the calibration, the uncertainty contributions due to the specific application, like extreme temperatures, high pressure in containers, extreme height differences, shocks, aggressive media or problematic physical product properties, should be taken into account. This paper presents the approach in which the measurement uncertainty can be calculated in industrial pressure measurements. Furthermore, the individual uncertainty contributions and their identification or origin are discussed. Finally, an example of a measurement uncertainty budget is shown as an important tool in the measurement uncertainty calculation.