MCLEOD GAUGE CALIBRATION

AIM
To calibrate the McLeod gauge with respect to digital vacuum gauge.

APPARATUS USED IN PLATFORM

Vacuum Pump, vacuum digital meter, mcloid gauge.

DESCRIPTION :
ATMOSPHERIC, ABSOLUTE, GAUGE AND VACUUM PRESSURES
The atmospheric air exerts a normal pressure upon all surfaces with which
it is in contact, and it is known as atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric
pressure varies with the altitude and it can be measured by means of a barometer.
As such it is also called the barometric pressure. At sea level under normal
conditions the equivalent values of the atmospheric pressure are 10.1043 x 10 4
N/m2; or 1.03 kg(f)/cm2, 3m of water; or 76 cm of mercury.

Fluid pressure may be measured with respect to any arbitrary datum. The
two most common datums are (i) absolute zero pressure and (ii) local
atmospheric pressure. When pressure is measured above absolute zero (or
complete vacuum), it is called an absolute pressure. When it is measured either
above or below atmospheric pressure as a datum, it is called gauge pressure. This
is because practically all pressure gauge is read zero when open to the
atmosphere and read only the difference between the pressure of the fluid to
which they are connected and the atmospheric pressure.

If the pressure of a fluid is below atmospheric pressure it is designated as

vacuum pressure (or suction pressure on negative gauge pressure); and its gauge
value is the amount by which it is below that of the atmospheric pressure. A
gauge which measured vacuum pressure is known as vacuum gauge.
All values of absolute pressure are positive, since in the case of fluids the lowest
absolute pressure which can possibly exist corresponds to absolute zero or
complete vacuum. However, gauge pressure is positive if they are above that of
the atmosphere and negative if they are vacuum pressures.

From the foregoing discussion it can be seen that the following relations
hold:
Absolute pressure = Atmospheric pressure + Gauge pressure.
Absolute pressure = Atmospheric pressure Vacuum pressure.

McLeod guage

McLeod gauge is basically manometric method of measuring a vacuum

pressure that is useful between 0.01 and 100 m of mercury column. This range
translates to absolute pressure in the range of 0.001 to 10 Pa. Note that this range
will also translate to 10-8 to 10-4 bar. The principle of operation of the McLeod
gauge is as described below
A known volume (V) of the gas at the vacuum pressure (p) given by the
volume of the capillary, the bulb and the bottom tube up to the opening is trapped
by lowering the movable reservoir down to the appropriate extent. It is then
slowly raised till the level of the manometer liquid (usually mercury) in the
movable reservoir is in line with the reference level marked on the stem of the
forked tube.
PROCEDURE :
1. Place the mercury limb module in horizontal position such a way that all
Hg must settle in sump only.
2. Switch on the unit.
3. Then observe that digital meter reads zero.
4. Switch on the vacuum pump and then slowly open the valve and read the
digital meter reading.
5. Slowly bring the mcleod guage module to verticle position from horizontal
position such a way that right side limb of Hg to be in zero position.
6. Note the value of the left side limb Hg level in mcleod gauge and note
down
7. The reading of digital gauge to be noted.
8. Bring the mcleod gauge to horizontal position and then swich off the
vacuum pump for safety of Hg ( to avoid the jump in the tube) which
may brake the glass tube.
9. Switch off the mains
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
i. In horizontal position make sure that all the mercury present in the mcleod
gauge is in sump only.
ii. Make sure that the valve from the vacuum pump is closed before switching
on the vacuum pump.
iii. After completion of the experiment place the mcleod gauge to horizontal
position before switching OFF the vacuum pump.
iv. Close the vacuum pump valve after switching OFF the vacuum pump.

Guidance Calculations

Note the reading of digital meter which is in mm of of Hg.

After setting the right side limb to zero then note the corresponding left
side limb reading.
= 0.15mm of Hg

Thus from digital gauge reading = 0.2 mm of Hg and Mcleod gauge reading is
0.15mm of Hg and 0.05 mm of Hg is the error in mcleod guage .