What is the equivalent pressure of 340 pounds per square inch gauge in psia?

To determine the equivalent pressure of 340 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) in pounds per square inch absolute (psia), it is important to understand the difference between gauge pressure and absolute pressure.

Gauge pressure, such as 340 psig, measures pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, to convert gauge pressure to absolute pressure, you must add atmospheric pressure to the gauge reading. The standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 14.7 psi.

So, the calculation for converting gauge pressure to absolute pressure is as follows:

340 psig + 14.7 psi (atmospheric pressure) = 354.7 psia.

This calculation shows that the equivalent absolute pressure is 354.7 psia, which aligns perfectly with the correct answer choice. Understanding this conversion is crucial in HVAC applications, where both gauge and absolute pressures are frequently used in system diagnostics and performance evaluations.