A dead weight tester is used to calibrate which gauges?

• A. Temperature gauges
• B. Pressure gauges
• C. Flow gauges
• D. Vacuum gauges

Answer: (B)

A dead weight tester provides a known, highly stable reference pressure to calibrate gauges. It works by placing calibrated weights on a piston with a known cross-sectional area, producing a pressure equal to W/A (and adjusted for any fluid column effects). This known pressure is applied to the gauge under test, and the gauge’s reading is compared to the true value to verify accuracy and establish traceability to standard weights. This makes it ideal for calibrating pressure gauges and pressure transducers. It isn’t typically used for temperature or flow gauges, which require fixed temperature sources or controlled flow standards, respectively, and while vacuum calibration is possible in specialized setups, a standard dead weight tester is designed for positive (gauge) pressure references.