In which units are steam pressure gauges typically calibrated?

Steam pressure gauges are typically calibrated in pounds per square inch (PSI) because this unit is widely used in the United States and is common in various industrial applications, especially in steam systems. The use of PSI allows engineers and technicians to easily understand and communicate pressure levels, as it relates directly to the effects of pressure on steam and its applications.

In many steam systems, especially those working at lower pressures, measuring in pounds per square inch provides a practical and relatable framework for operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. The calibration in PSI ensures that the readings can be directly correlated with safety standards and operational criteria prevalent in the steam engineering field.

While other units like pascals, bars, and kilopascals are also used in various contexts globally, PSI is more predominant in the context of steam systems, especially in North America, making it the most relevant choice for this application.