What is the primary function of a pressure gauge?

The primary function of a pressure gauge is to measure pressure. Pressure gauges are designed to provide accurate readings of pressure levels within a system, such as in pipes or tanks. This measurement is crucial in various applications, including ensuring safety, maintaining proper function, and preventing overpressure conditions that could lead to equipment failure or hazardous situations.

Recognizing pressure accurately is vital for a variety of industries, including plumbing, HVAC, and industrial manufacturing, where maintaining the correct pressure levels is necessary for optimal performance and safety. By using a pressure gauge, pipefitters and engineers can regulate the pressure within systems effectively.

The other choices do not align with the primary function of a pressure gauge. Measuring temperature, electrical current, or humidity requires entirely different types of instruments specifically designed for those purposes, such as thermometers, ammeters, and hygrometers, respectively. Each instrument is tailored to measure a specific type of physical quantity and cannot interchangeably measure pressure. Thus, the correct identification of a pressure gauge’s purpose as measuring pressure is fundamental to understanding its role in various applications.