What type of pressure is measured with gauges?

The type of pressure measured with gauges is gauge pressure. This measurement indicates the pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, which means it reflects the pressure of a system adjusted to zero at standard atmospheric conditions. When using gauge pressure, the atmospheric pressure is not included in the measurement, focusing solely on the pressure within the system being monitored.

Gauge pressure is commonly used in various applications, including refrigeration systems, where it helps operators understand the operational conditions of the system. For example, when monitoring refrigerant pressures, gauge readings provide critical information about whether the system is functioning efficiently or if there are issues that need addressing.

In contrast, absolute pressure measures the total pressure exerted on a system, including atmospheric pressure, and is particularly important in some scientific and engineering calculations where a calculation based on atmospheric conditions is necessary. Vacuum pressure refers specifically to pressure below atmospheric pressure and is usually expressed in terms relative to vacuum conditions. Dynamic pressure, on the other hand, relates to the kinetic energy of a fluid in motion and is relevant in fluid dynamics but not typically in the context of measuring pressure in systems like refrigeration.