Educated at Lausanne, Geneva; entered University College, London 1893; studied mechanical engineering under T Hudson Bear and electrical engineering under Sir John Ambrose Fleming; received the Solomon's scholarship from the Institution of Electrical Engineers 1896 a further scholarship from UCL to undertake experimental work at the Royal Institution's Davy-Faraday Laboratory; established the primary standard of light, and designed the Petavel gauge for measuring pressures set up in exploding gaseous mixtures; John Harling research fellow University of Manchester in Arthur Schuster's laboratory, 1901 and then demonstrator in physics 1906; professor of engineering and director Whitworth Laboratory, Manchester 1908 - 1919.

He became chairman of the Aerodynamics Advisory Committee during the 1914-1918 war, a post he held until 1925. He was a member of the general board of the National Physical Laboratory from 1911 to 1916, and in September 1919 he was appointed its Director.

During his 17 years as Director of NPL, Petavel devoted himself to maintaining and increasing the prestige of the Laboratory both nationally and internationally, and increasing its usefulness to various industries in Britain. Elected FRS in 1907 and was awarded the KBE in 1920.

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