Pressure Sensor

Pressure Sensors

We have the largest offering of pressure transmitters and pressure transducers from well known brand names such as Measurement Specialties, TE Connectivity, Gems Sensors, STS Switzerland, Entran, Schaevitz and Metallux to ensure that we have the appropriate solution for your technical or delivery needs in any industry.

Pressure transducers offer a mV output operating in many integrated packages for differential pressure, heavy duty, miniature packages all with absolute pressure or gauge pressure references for a wide range of applications.

Pressure transmitters are amplified outputs but still available with absolute pressures or gauge pressure references. The pressure sensors are available for differential pressure measurement, heavy duty, dynamic process applications with a wide range of pressure ranges.

If you have an OEM requirement, or are looking for high temperature protection or dynamic pressure transducers, we can provide a technical solution for quality board mounted, sensing elements, packaged transducers for Marine, ATEX, IECEx, Digital output devices, Mining, Aerospace, Flight Testing, Food & Beverage, Automation, Test Benches or any other industry application.

We have multiple pressure sensor technologies such as CVD, Thin Film, Piezo Resistive, Bonded foil, Silicon on Sapphire which all have their strengths and weaknesses based on the application. Contact us for advice on any piezoelectric pressure sensor or standard sensors.

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Q: What is a pressure sensor called?

There are several names to describe a Pressure Sensor. In general a Pressure Transducer has a mV output, Pressure Transmitter has an amplified output but don’t forget there are Pressure gauges which give a visual indication of the measured pressure, or even pressure switches which can be set to trigger at a given pressure level. Other terminology extends to pressure capsules, pressure sensing elements, packaged pressure sensors, digital output pressure sensors for example.

Q:How many types of pressure sensor are there?

There are many types or variants of pressure sensor depending mainly on the application where the sensor will be used. These are electro-mechanical devices and in general are fitted directly to the medium being measured. There are many considerations such as temperature, size of the pressure sensor, corrosive environment, ingress protection, signal output required, material of construction, cost.

Q: What are pressure sensors made of?

Pressure sensors start with the sensitive element that will convert the pressure of a gas or liquid into an electrical signal. The easiest way to understand this principle is to consider them as strain gauges. There are many technologies of pressure sensing elements, each has a unique feature which offers a better solution for the application. Piezo resistive technology example is great for volume applications, gas measurement, barometrics however for liquids there are some compromises to be made. For liquids, it is very common to have a diaphragm to isolate the pressure sensing element which in itself presents challenges with diaphragm materials, sensing technology, size, accuracy etc.

Q: How does a pressure sensor work?

A Pressure sensor works by converting the pressure into an electrical signal. Whatever the technology used, the sensing technology acts as a strain gauge which changes resistance proportional to the pressure input. This resistance is then converted into a mV, amplified or digital output signal.

Q: Is a pressure sensor analogue or digital?

There are several outputs available for Pressure Sensors. The most common by far is an Amplified output (referred to as analogue output) such as 4-20mA, 0-5 V, 0-10 VDC for example. Digital outputs such as SDI, I2C, RS-485 or RS-232 are available as an option on most Pressure sensor families however reduce the Frequency response, but would increase the user flexibility and accuracy of the sensor. On some Pressure sensors, mV output is available which delivers an excellent Frequency response but may need some signal conditioning.