Pressure Transducers

About Pressure Transducers and Pressure Transducer Manufacturers Including: Differential Pressure Transducers, Pressure Sensor, Pressure Transmitter, Torque Transducers & Transducers.

Pressure transducers are devices produced by pressure transducer manufacturers that convert the mechanical force of applied pressure into electrical energy. This electrical energy becomes a signal output that is linear and proportional to the applied pressure. Pressure transducers are very similar to pressure sensors and transmitters. In fact, pressure transducers and pressure transmitters are nearly synonymous. The difference between them is the kind of electrical signal each sends. Pressure transducers sends a signal in volts (V) or millivolt per volt (mV/V), and a transmitter sends signals in milliamps (mA).
 
Pressure transducer manufacturers can fabricate both pressure transmitters and pressure transducers that convert energy from one form to another and give an output signal. This signal goes to any device that interprets and uses it to display, record or alter the pressure in the system. These receiving devices include computers, digital panel meters, chart recorders and programmable logic controllers. There are a wide variety of industries that use pressure transducers and transmitters for various applications. These include, but are not limited to, medical, air flow management, factory automation, HVAC and refrigeration, compressors and hydraulics, aerospace and automotive.
 
There are important things to consider when deciding what kind of pressure transducers to choose. The first consideration is the kind of connector needed to physically connect the transducer to a system. There are many kinds of connectors for different uses, including bulletnose and submersible connectors, which have unique applications. Another important part is the internal circuitry of the pressure transducers unit, which is housed by a “can” that provides protection and isolates the electronics. This can be made of stainless steel or a blend of composite materials and stainless steel. The various degrees of protection extend from nearly no protection (an open circuit board) to a can that is completely submersible in water. Other kinds of enclosures safeguard the unit in hazardous areas from explosions and other dangers.
 
The next thing to consider is the sensor, which is the actual component that does the work of converting the physical energy to electrical energy. The component that alters the signal from the sensor and makes it suitable for output is called the signal conditioning circuitry. The internal circuitry must be resistant to harmful external energy like radio frequency interference, electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge. These kinds of interferences can cause incorrect readings, and are generally to be avoided when doing readings. Overall, pressure transducers are well-performing and high-accuracy devices made by pressure transducer manufacturers that make life easier for many industries.

Pressure Transducers and Pressure Transducer Manufacturers Images Provided by AMETEK U.S. Gauge

Types of Pressure Transducers

• Absolute pressure transducers have an inner reference chamber sealed at or close to 0 psi (full vacuum), and typically supply increasing output voltage for increases in pressure.
  
• Differential pressure transducers are instruments that detect fluid pressure and produce an electrical, mechanical, or pneumatic signal in response to the pressure.
  
• General-purpose transducers perform well, for a wide range of electronic pressure measurement applications. They have a high-accuracy rate.
  
• Industrial grade transducers fit most industrial pressure measurement applications. The printed circuit board is potted in silicone gel for protection against shock, vibration and humidity, and uses state of the art surface mount technology.
  
• Pressure sensors are instruments that detect fluid pressure.
  
• Pressure transmitter is used to measure, monitor, and transmit the pressure of liquids or gases.
  
• Strain-gage base transducers convert pressure into an electrical signal by physically deforming strain gages, which are bonded into the diaphragm of the pressure transducer. This introduces strain to the gages, which then will produce an electrical resistance change proportional to the pressure.
  
• Submersible liquid level transmitters and transducers are specifically designed for municipal liquid level measurements and a range of other applications. Specifically, these transducers are used for water and wastewater treatments, well depth measurements and offshore water depth measurements, and therefore use a watertight, high-strength vented polyurethane cable, which is capable of complete submersion.
  
• Torque transducers are instruments that measure torque on rotating systems.
  
• Transducers are devices that convert one type of energy into a different output form.

Pressure Transducers Terms

Accuracy – The combination of the error of nonlinearity, repeatability and hysteresis, expressed as a percentage of full scale output.
 
Axial Load – A load applied alongside or parallel to and concentric with the primary axis.
 
Best Fit Straight Line – The sensitivity of a sensor that is preferably in a straight line, but usually has minute non-linearity. BFSL takes all the data points from the curve and describes a straight line through these data points so that the divergence (and thus the error) between the curve and the straight line is at a minimum.
 
Burst Pressure – The maximum amount of pressure that may be applied to an object without the object rupturing.
 
Calibration – A test in which known values of pressure are applied to the instrument and output readings are recorded under specific conditions.
 
Dead Volume – The volume of the pressure port of a transducer at room temperature and barometric pressure.
 
Differential Pressure – The difference between the actual measured pressure and a fixed reference point.
 
Error – The difference between the true value of the pressure that is sensed and the value indicated by the transducer
 
Excitation – The voltage or current applied to the input terminals of the transducer to supply its proper operating conditions.
 
Gauge Pressure – The difference between the atmospheric pressure and a variable pressure.
 
Hysterisis – The maximum difference in output within the range when the value is approached with increasing pressure and then with decreasing pressure for full range traverses.
 
Linearity – The maximum deviation of the calibration curve (average of upscale and downscale readings) from a straight line positioned to pass through the upper and lower range values.
 
Noise – Undesirable signals that can increase the amount of error. Examples of noise include radio frequency interference, electromagnetic interference, hum from power lines and broadband or white noise.  
 
Output – The electrical signal that results from applied pressure to the transducer.
 
Peak Pressure – The greatest pressure desired that is sensed during a measurement session.
 
Pressure Rate – An orderly change in pressure over a specific time.
 
Repeatability – The closeness of agreement among a number of consecutive measurements of the output for the same value of the input under the same operating conditions, approaching from the same direction, for full range traverses.
 
Sensing Element – The part of the transducer that reacts directly as a response to pressure.
 
Variable Pressure – A change in the pressure that is being measured or controlled.
 
Zero Balance – The rated output signal of a transducer without a load applied and rated excitation, typically articulated as a percent of rated output.