Ashford Instrumentation Ltd - CE Marking On Pressure Gauges

CE Marking On Pressure Gauges

CE Marking On Pressure Gauges

We are often asked by our customers to supply pressure gauges that carry the CE Mark or for help in clarifying which gauges should carry the CE Mark and why some gauges are not marked. To help answer some of these questions we have prepared the following information in-conjunction with some of our suppliers and recommendations from the Pressure Gauge & Dial Thermometer Association (PGDT).

Pressure Equipment Directive

Whether a gauge is required to carry the CE Mark or not is dictated by the application it is intended for as defined within the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC (PED) which came into force on May 30^th 2002. The PED applies to the design, manufacture and conformity of pressure equipment which is defined as pressure vessels, piping, assemblies and accessories which are subject to an allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar. Under the PED pressure gauges are defined as a “pressure accessory” and all pressure gauges with a full scale value greater than 0.5 bar (regardless of diameter) are subject to the requirements of the Directive. When CE Marking most manufacturers will assess to Module A of the Directive.

To comply with the requirements of the Pressure Equipment Directive pressure gauges must carry the CE Mark when used on the following applications:

Group 1 Gases above 200 Bar

Group 1 Liquids above 500 Bar

If the pressure gauge is to be used on any other application, i.e. any Group 2 Gas, Any Group 2 Liquid, Group 1 Gases below 200 bar and Group 1 Liquids below 500 bar the pressure gauge is not required to carry the CE Mark.

Pressure gauges with a scale value between 0.5 bar and 200 bar are classified according to the PED Annex B (Charts) as being designed and manufactured according to “Sound Engineering Practice (SEP)” and must therefore not carry the CE Mark. Fundamentally gauges manufactured according to SEP are constructed to the same rigorous standards as gauges that carry the CE Mark. The only difference is that procedures and inspection for SEP gauges are carried out in-house, in order for the gauge to carry the CE Mark certain tests and procedures have to be monitored and audited by an external independent body.

Please also note that all gauges manufactured according to SEP and those carrying the CE Mark must have the manufacturers name or logo on dial or that of their authorised representative.

European Manufacture

Unless a pressure gauge is being manufactured to meet a specific requirement or fulfil a particular order, it is not uncommon for the final application not to be known at the time of manufacture. Because of this, most European manufacturers will build their pressure gauges to meet the requirements of the most stringent criteria – Group 1 Gas. Because of this most European manufactured pressure gauges will carry the CE Mark on ranges above 200 bar even though the application they end up on may not require the gauge to be CE Marked.

Non European Manufacture

Manufacturers outside the EU do not always follow the practices of the European manufactures and will often manufacture pressure gauges above 200 bar without including the CE Mark. These are perfectly safe to use provided the application does not require the gauge to carry the CE Mark, i.e. Group 2 Gas, Any Group 2 Liquid, Group 1 Gases below 200 bar and Group 1 Liquids below 500 bar the pressure gauge is not required to carry the CE Mark. It is worth noting that like many stockists and distributors we stock product from EU and non EU manufacturers some of which is CE Marked and some of which is not. At the time of enquiry we will always ask for details about the intended application so that we can ensure the correctly marked gauge is supplied. It is also worth noting that some stock manufactured by European manufacturers prior to May 2002 will remain unsold for a period of time and could remain in general circulation. Although from a European source these non CE Marked pressure gauges must be restricted to applications not requiring a CE Mark.

Declaration of Conformity

A declaration of conformity is available on request but should be specified at the time of ordering. The CE Mark is normally attached to the outside of the case although some manufacturers will print it on the dial.

Diaphragm Seal & Chemical Seal Pressure Gauges

Diaphragm seal pressure gauges with an integral flange greater than DN25 should carry the CE Mark on all pressure ranges above 0.5 bar. Pressure gauges supplied with a loose diaphragm seal do not fall under the PED and should not carry the CE Mark.

Other Considerations

All of our pressure gauges conform to the requirements of the European Standard EN837-1 and are manufactured and tested to the appropriate requirements. When selecting a pressure gauge as well as considering whether CE Marking is required or not it is important to remember that the design of the gauge must also meet special safety requirements if used on gas or air above 25 bar and special considerations have to be taken if the application is on oxygen or acetylene.