Pressure gauge

A manometer is used to measure pressure in a system — for example, in a water pump system, pressure tank, water line, or pressure vessel.

💧 In a water pump system, a manometer is used to:

  1. Display the current water pressure
    It shows how many bars (or kPa) of pressure are in the system, so you can tell if the pump is operating correctly.
    Example: If the pressure ranges between 2–4 bar, you can see when the pump starts (e.g. at 2 bar) and when it stops (e.g. at 4 bar).

  2. Adjust the pressure switch
    When setting the start and stop pressure on the pressure switch, you use the manometer to see exactly at which pressure the pump starts and stops.

  3. Troubleshoot problems

    • If the pressure drops quickly → may indicate a leak or a faulty check valve.

    • If the pressure never rises → the pump isn’t drawing water or the discharge line is open.

    • If the pressure gets too high → the pressure switch is incorrectly set or stuck.

⚙ Types of manometers

  • Analog (most common): a dial with a pointer and scale in bar or kPa.

  • Digital: displays the pressure electronically, sometimes with memory or alarm limits.

📍 Placement

The manometer is usually installed:

  • On the discharge side of the pump, often near the pressure switch or pressure tank.

  • Some pressure tanks have a built-in manometer.