There are many industrial-related scenarios where accuracy is absolutely essential if maximum efficiency and safety in the production process are going to be achieved.

Instrumentation is one of the ways to achieve this aim and having the right gauges in place will help provide the right information to ensure that everything runs smoothly and safely.

Here is a look at what the various types of level gauge available are and what sort of application they can normally be used for.

Differential pressure gauge

One of the most common types of gauges that you will find in an industrialized setting is a differential pressure gauge.

In simple terms, a differential pressure gauge will provide you with a visual interpretation of the difference between two applied pressures.

It is often necessary to illustrate the contrast between two specific pressure points within a processing system. A differential pressure gauge will provide that data by providing the calculation and displaying the result.

Without a differential pressure gauge, you will be required to calculate the two applied psi pressure points in order to arrive at the figure between those two measurements, which is the differential pressure.

Having a differential pressure gauge will greatly simplify the calculation process and means that an operator or control system does only have to watch over one gauge rather than two separate ones.

Reflex level gauge

Reflex level gauges are designed to be able to detect the difference between the refractive indices of liquid and vapor and also as a form of level detection.

The default option for level gauges in an industrial setting is often to use a reflex gauge and they are used within a number of specific individual vessels with the primary objective of highlighting the different levels of vapor and liquid.

You might also find a reflex gauge being referred to as a prismatic level gauge but they basically carry out the same task in measuring levels.

The reason for such widespread use of this type of gauge is because it provides an easy to understand the visual reading of water levels without the risk of distortion to the display screen that can occur with other methods of display.

A reflex level gauge offers you the choice of being installed vertically or horizontally and it offers a useful degree of flexibility when being installed not just for this reason but also because it is easy to combine more than one gauge to provide an extended viewing area.

Oil tank level gauge

You would use a tubular level gauge for a range of applications such as providing a visual indication at a glance at the level of liquid, for tanks that are operating at low pressures.

A tubular gauge is a basic and cost-effective solution and the tube itself is normally constructed in the form of a continuous section of borosilicate glass which is connected at both ends of an isolation valve.

You would seal this connection using a rubber gasket that has a union in the valve.

You will also have various sight glass options to consider, such as a quick mount tubular level gauge, which should allow you to perform maintenance on the gauge without having to drain the tank.

This type of gauge is suitable for a diverse range of industrial applications as it can handle wide deviance of pressures and temperatures.

Other types of gauge include the mini gauge, a marine gauge, and a push button gauge.

A mini gauge is simplistic in design but can do the job of measuring levels with an equal level of competence compared to more sophisticated versions. The connection screws directly into the vessel it is monitoring, making it an ideal choice for small water tanks or compressor lube oil tanks.

As the name suggests, a marine gauge is primarily used for applications associated with marine and offshore industries. However, it is a gauge that is only suitable for monitoring non-flammable liquids, so it is commonly put to use in water storage tanks and coolant tanks on board all sorts of different ships.

If you are looking for a simple but effective monitoring solution the push button gauge is an option to consider.

The push button gauge consists of a rigid clear PVC tube and comes with a self-closing valve. The PVC tube can be cut to any length, which makes it a versatile solution.

Transparent level gauges

If you are wanting to monitor levels of colored, viscous, or interface liquids a transparent level gauge could prove to be the ideal choice.

The setup for a transparent level gauge consists of two pieces of glass on opposing sides of the chamber, which will allow light to pass through the transparent gauge and for the liquid’s position to be detected.

In addition, the gauge has the ability to monitor the liquids characteristics, such as is level of viscosity.

It might be necessary to apply a shield to the glass if the gauge is going to be exposed to corrosive or steamy environments.

Magnetic level gauge

Magnetic level gauges are used extensively across a large number of different industries and this type of gauge is especially suited to applications where gases or hazardous liquids are being used.

One of the standout features of using a magnetic gauge is the ability to immediately detect any changes in level, often proving more responsive than liquid level gauges.

Other notable features of a magnetic level gauge include their ability to withstand harsh environments without denigrating their performance, offering a sturdy and shockproof solution.

This is why magnetic level gauges are often the default choice if you are working with dangerous or highly toxic fluids. This is because this type of gauge offers an automatic float failure warning that is immediate, allowing you to take remedial or evasive action to the problem without any delay.

Industrial instrumentation plays a vital role in maintaining safety and there is a type of level gauge available to suit any type of monitoring requirement.