What is used to track the speed of a steam turbine?

A tachometer is the appropriate instrument used to track the speed of a steam turbine. It is specifically designed to measure the rotational speed of machinery, allowing operators to monitor the turbine's performance and ensure it operates within the intended speed range. By providing real-time data on the turbine's RPM (revolutions per minute), the tachometer helps in adjusting operations to optimize efficiency and prevent mechanical failures.

In comparison, a pressure gauge measures the pressure of steam or other fluids within the system, which is crucial for understanding the conditions under which the turbine operates but does not provide information about the rotational speed. A flow meter measures the volume or mass of fluid moving through a system, which is important for understanding the energy available to the turbine but, again, does not monitor its speed. Finally, a flow switch is a device that indicates whether a fluid is flowing in a system, serving safety and control purposes rather than directly measuring the speed of rotation of the turbine.