Pressure Sensors
About Us Careers News FAQ's Product Overviews Exhibitions Unit Converter Contact Us Open Mon - Thu 8am to 5pm | Fri 8am to 4pm
Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Sensors
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pressure Sensor:
A pressure sensor is a device that measures the pressure of a fluid or gas and converts it into an electrical signal. It is designed to detect changes in pressure and provide an output that corresponds to the measured pressure. Pressure sensors can be based on various principles, such as piezoresistive, capacitive, or piezoelectric, and they are often used in a wide range of applications, including industrial processes, automotive systems, medical devices, and consumer electronics.
Pressure Transmitter:
A pressure transmitter is a type of pressure sensor that is specifically designed to provide a continuous and proportional output signal, typically in the form of a 4-20 mA current loop or a digital signal. It measures the pressure and converts it into an electrical signal that can be transmitted over long distances without significant loss or interference. Pressure transmitters are commonly used in industrial applications where precise pressure measurement and transmission are required, such as in process control systems and automation.
Pressure Transducer:
The term "pressure transducer" is commonly used interchangeably with "pressure sensor" or "pressure transmitter." In general, a pressure transducer refers to a device that senses pressure and converts it into an electrical signal however is not amplified, such as a mV output. So, both pressure sensors and pressure transmitters can be considered as types of pressure transducers.
