Today’s technologically advanced pressure transducers are more reliable and accurate than ever. As a result, they are ideal for long-term use even in the harshest environments of extreme temperature, humidity, and vibration.
This is why choosing the transducer for the application takes consideration and must be carefully selected. Selecting the suitable pressure transducer for your application depends on various factors. This guide will go through all the elements, and while they may not all apply, it is worth consideration.
Accuracy
Accuracy can be the most crucial characteristic. It tells you how close the pressure measurement is to the actual pressure.
Depending on the application, this may be of utmost importance, or the reading from the transmitter can only be used as an estimate. Nevertheless, it gives some degree of certainty to the measurement being transmitted.
Absolute, Gauge, and Differential Pressure Type
The reference pressure of the measurement defines the pressure type. It measures absolute pressure relative to total zero pressure, gauge pressure is estimated close to atmospheric pressure, and differential pressure is the difference between one arbitrary pressure and another.
Pressure Range
The pressure range is one of the more essential features of the transducer. The transducer’s range must encompass the minimum and maximum range encountered in the application. The accuracy is often a function of the full-scale range. A range high enough should be considered to achieve the best accuracy.
Check the transducer specification. It will have a list of set ranges or a customizable range that can be chosen between a minimum and maximum boundary. Range availability will be different for each pressure type.
Analog or Digital Signal Output
The signal output of the transducer must match your existing infrastructure of the communication protocols designed in your application. For example, these outputs could be an analog electrical signal and a digital signal sent on-demand or continuous production. The reading output rate or readings per second should also be compatible with the application to ensure it captures all data, including intermittent or transient spikes.
Check the prospective transducer’s communication protocol to ensure you have the means to communicate and that the transmission rate is acceptable.
Ambient and Media Temperature
The media and ambient temperature where the transducer will be used should be within the limits prescribed for the transducer. High and low temperatures outside the transducer limits can damage the transducer, thus affecting the accuracy. Therefore, check the temperature specification of the transducer and the proposed environmental conditions and medium temperature for the proposed application.
Wetted Material
The pressure medium may be a corrosive liquid or gas, so the wetted material of the transducer must be compatible. Therefore, checking the transducer specification for the materials in contact with the application medium will be essential. In addition, determine if suitable isolation components within the transducer protect the sensing element.
Body Material
The body material of the transducer must be suitable for the environment in which you deploy it. Verifying compatibility with any corrosive or weathering elements in the application environment will be essential.
Enclosure Rating
The enclosure for the transducer must have a rating that will prevent exposure to harmful external conditions, including the ingress of liquids, humidity, dust, or gases. Check the transducer’s Ingress Protection Rating (IP) to verify its compatibility with common external contaminants.
Pressure and Reference Fittings and Adapters
The pressure and reference fitting that connects the transducer to the process must be compatible.
Size
Your transducer size will have to fit where it is intended to be used. This is a crucial factor for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) with limited space within an enclosure.
Find the Solution with Experienced Help
While we understand that it may be impossible to narrow the choice to a single product accurately, multiple products may fit within the specifications. These tips should help you. If you are still trying to decide which transducer is best for your needs, SRP control systems Ltd can help you find the solution. We have over 40 years of experience providing products, services, measurement, and calibration solutions. Contact us today!
