Today’s technologically advanced pressure transducers are more reliable and accurate than ever before.  They are ideal for long-term use even in the harshest environments of extreme temperature, humidity, and vibration.  This is why when choosing the transducer for the application takes consideration and must be carefully selected. Selecting the right pressure transducer for your application depends on a variety of factors.  This guide will go through all the factors and while they may not all apply, it is worth consideration.

Accuracy

The accuracy can be the most important 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 it can only use the reading from the transmitter as an estimation.  It gives some degree of certainty in the measurement being transmitted.

Absolute, Gauge, and Differential Pressure Type

The pressure type is defined by the reference pressure of the measurement.  It measures absolute pressure relative to absolute zero pressure, it measures gauge pressure relative to atmospheric pressure, and differential pressure is the difference between one arbitrary pressure and another.

Pressure Range

The pressure range specifically is one of the more important features of the transducer.  The transducer’s range must encompass the minimum and maximum range that will be encountered in the application. The accuracy is often a function of the full-scale range, a range they should consider just high enough 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 explicitly different for each pressure type.

Analog or Digital Signal Output

The signal output of the transducer must match the existing infrastructure of the communication protocols designed in your application.  These outputs could be an analog electrical signal or a digital signal that sends on-demand or via continuous output.  The reading output rate or readings per second should also be compatible with the application to ensure that it captures all data, including intermittent or transient spikes.

Check the communication protocol of the prospective transducer to make sure you have the means to communicate and the rate of transmission 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.  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.  It will be important to check the transducer specification for the materials that will be in contact with the application medium.  Determine if there are suitable isolation components within the transducer that protect the sensing element.

Body Material

The body material of the transducer must be suitable for the environment in which you deploy it.  Therefore, it will be important to verify compatibility with any corrosive or weathering elements that may exist in the application environment.

Enclosure Rating

The enclosure for the transducer must have a rating that will prevent exposure to harmful external conditions, including ingress of liquids, humidity, dust, or gases.  Check the Ingress Protection Rating (IP) of the transducer to verify its compatibility with the expected external contaminants.

Pressure and Reference Fittings and Adapters

The Pressure and reference fitting that connects the transducer to the process must in fact be compatible.

Size

The size of the transducer you choose will have to fit where it is intended to be used.  This is specifically a crucial factor for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that has limited space within an enclosure.

Find the Solution with Experienced Help

While we understand that it may be impossible to accurately narrow the choice down to a single product, multiple products may fit within the specifications.  These tips should help you.  If you are still unsure which pressure transducer is best for your needs, SRP control systems ltd can help you find the solution.  We have over 40 years’ experience in providing products, services, measurement, and calibration solutions.  Contact us today!