There are a range of pressure testers used in the automotive industry. Each of them are used to provide information about the potential condition of various systems and components.
All gauges consist of a measurement scale from which a reading is taken. Depending on the type of fitting on the gauge, it is normally fitted to the vehicle component via a pipe or tube. In order to take the reading correctly, the instructions provided with the gauge should be followed. Most describe the specific operational circumstances that the reading should be taken in, in order to interpret the condition on the item being tested.
Most gauges are designed to read "zero" at atmospheric pressure (14.7lbs/sq inch or 1 Bar at sea level) as a base measurement.
Some types and applications:
- Vacuum gauges:
These gauges are not regarded by many as a pressure gauge, but in fact they are because the measure "negative" pressure below atmospheric pressure. They are normally used to determine an engines general operational condition. Depending on the reading a number of engine faults can be identified.
- Compression gauges:
These gauges are used to measure the compression pressures inside an engine cylinder and can identify overall condition and pressure leakage situations that could be caused by a range of engine faults.
- Cooling system pressure gauges:
These are used to identify faults in cooling systems and components like pressure caps.
- Tire pressure gauges:
Probably the most common of all, these are normally part of an tire inflation device (although pencil types (shown left) of measurement only are available) and are used to ensure that the air pressure inside the vehicle tires is maintained at the recommended setting.
Source: CDX Global & Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
