Desgranges & Huot – Primary standards for highest metrological accuracy
A century of precision in primary pressure measurement
For more than a century, Desgranges & Huot has established the standard for primary pressure measurement. Now part of WIKA's calibration technology division, this renowned French manufacturer continues to serve calibration laboratories, national metrology institutes (NMI) and industrial applications requiring the highest levels of measurement accuracy and long-term stability.
Why choose Desgranges & Huot primary standards?
Measurement uncertainty down to 20 ppm
Desgranges & Huot piston-cylinder systems achieve published measurement uncertainties as low as 20 ppm, meeting the requirements of primary pressure realisation at the highest metrological level. These piston cylinder systems provide the foundation for establishing and maintaining pressure traceability in national and industrial calibration hierarchies.
Instrument variants covering 20 bar to 5,000 bar
The Desgranges & Huot portfolio includes five instrument variants spanning the complete pressure range:
- Pneumatic primary standards from 20 bar
- Hydraulic dead-weight testers up to 5,000 bar
Each platform can be further configured with application-specific piston‑cylinder units (PCU) and mass sets, enabling laboratories to optimise measurement uncertainty for their target calibration ranges.
NMI and COFRAC-accredited calibration
All Desgranges & Huot instruments are available with calibration performed directly by a national metrology institute or COFRAC-accredited laboratory. This provides direct traceability to SI units at the highest available level, with full ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and recognition under ILAC-MRA mutual recognition arrangements. Calibration with LNE or other NMIs can further lower uncertainties that can be achieved on the CPB6000 primary standard.
Proven long-term performance and stability
National metrology institutes on six continents rely on Desgranges & Huot instruments as their primary pressure reference. This long‑standing trust reflects the outstanding long‑term stability, excellent running characteristics and reproducible measurement performance achieved throughout decades of operation.
Established craftsmanship with modern technology
Desgranges & Huot piston‑cylinder systems are also at the heart of WIKA's advanced instruments. Desgranges & Huot piston‑cylinder systems (PCU) are leveraged in our digital dead-weight tester CPD8500 and automatic pressure balance CPB9500, designed for increased throughput with metrology grade performance.
Where are Desgranges & Huot primary standards used?
Calibration laboratories
Desgranges & Huot primary pressure standards serve as reference instruments for the calibration of:
- Digital pressure gauges
- Pressure sensors
- Transfer standards
- Industrial pressure measuring instruments
They support both pneumatic and hydraulic pressure calibration across the full operating range.
National metrology institutes (NMI)
National metrology institutes worldwide use Desgranges & Huot piston‑cylinder systems for primary pressure realisation. These instruments provide the metrological foundation for establishing SI traceability and supporting international measurement comparisons under CIPM-MRA.
Process and energy industries
Sectors including chemical processing, oil and gas and power generation require calibration infrastructure capable of supporting safety-critical pressure measurement. Desgranges & Huot instruments provide the reference standards necessary for maintaining measurement integrity in these demanding environments.
Integrated solutions featuring WIKA calibration technology
As part of WIKA, Desgranges & Huot instruments are supported by a comprehensive calibration technology portfolio:
- Multi-parameter calibration systems – Pressure, temperature and electrical calibration equipment from a single supplier
- Global service capability – On-site calibration services, preventive maintenance programmes and accredited laboratory services available in over 40 countries
- Digital calibration management – Software solutions for workflow management, documentation and regulatory compliance
- Condition monitoring – IIoT-enabled solutions for instrument health monitoring and predictive maintenance
This integrated approach enables laboratories to standardise their calibration infrastructure while maintaining access to specialist expertise across all measurement parameters.
Long-term partnership in primary pressure measurement
Desgranges & Huot represents more than a century of continuous development in primary pressure measurement. Combined with WIKA's global technical support and service infrastructure, this heritage provides calibration laboratories and metrology institutes with a long-term partnership for their pressure measurement requirements.
The integration of the company into the WIKA Group enables us, in addition to our innovative product developments, to permanently and sustainably expand the calibration technology division. Thus, we can now offer you an attractive range of products in all accuracy classes – from primary standards to pressure controllers.
If you are looking for primary pressure standards, pressure balances or accredited pressure calibration, our experts will be happy to support you.
Get an overview of our pressure balances here:
