Construction:- Deadweight Tester (DWT) is used for calibration of pressure gauges . A dead weight tester is an instrument that calibrates pressure by determining the weight of force divided by the area the force is applied. Typically a dead weight tester consists of a base, screw press/regulator, piston/cylinder assembly , A fluid (oil) that transmits the pressure and a mass set of weights.
PRESSURE = FORCE/AREA = W/A
As the area of a piston of DWT is accurately Known so that it is constant
Therefore PRESSURE(P) ∝ FORCE (Weight)
Working:- 1. Connect the pressure gauge to the test port on the dead weight tester as shown in the diagram above. 2. Ensure that the test gauge is reading zero, if not correct the zero error and ensure that the gauge is reading zero before proceeding with the calibration exercise. 3. Select a weight (Kg) and place it on the vertical piston 4. Turn the handle of the adjusting piston or screw pump to ensure that the weight and piston are supported freely by oil. 5. Spin the vertical piston and ensure that it is floating freely 6. At steady state condition record the gauge reading and weight 7. increasing weights until the full range or maximum pressure is applied to the gauge and then decreasing weights until the gauge reads zero pressure. Calculate the error at each gauge reading and ensure that it is within the acceptable accuracy limits.