Manometer Types

A manometer is a device used for measure the pressure of a fluid by balancing it with against a column of a liquid. Five different types of manometers are shown with pictures below.

U-Tube Manometer :

It consist a U – shaped bend whose one end is attached to the gauge point ‘A’ and other end is open to the atmosphere. It can measure both positive and negative (suction) pressures. It contains liquid of specific gravity greater than that of a liquid of which the pressure is to be measured.

where 'γ' is Specific weight, 'P' is Pressure at A.

Pressure at A is P = γ₂h₂ – γ₁h₁

Differential Manometer :

A U-Tube manometric liquid heavier than the liquid for which the pressure difference is to be measured and is not immiscible with it.

Pressure difference between A and B is given by equation

P_A – P_B = γ₂h₂ – γ₃h₃ – γ₁h₁

Inverted U-Tube Manometer :

Inverted U-Tube manometer consists of an inverted U - Tube containing a light liquid. This is used to measure the differences of low pressures between two points where where better accuracy is required. It generally consists of an air cock at top of manometric fluid type.

Pressure difference can be calculated from equation

P₁ - ρ₁*g*H₁ – ρ_m*g(H₂– H₁) = P₂ – ρ₂*gH₂

Micro Manometer :

Micro Manometer is is the modified form of a simple manometer whose one limb is made of larger cross sectional area. It measures very small pressure differences with high precision.

Let 'a' = area of the tube,

A = area of the reservoir,

h_{3 =} Falling liquid level reservoir,

h_{2 =} Rise of the liquid in the tube,

By conversation of mass we get A*h₃ = a*h₂

_{Equating pressure heads at datum we get} 

P₁ = (ρ_m – ρ₁)*gh₃ + ρ_m*gh₂ - ρ₁*gh₁

Inclined Manometer :

Inclined manometer is used for the measurement of small pressures and is to measure more accurately than the vertical tube type manometer. Due to inclination the distance moved by the fluid in manometer is more.

Pressure difference between A and B is give by equation