A pressure sensor is an electronic component that monitors or detects gas or liquid pressure (force) and transforms that information into an electrical signal that can be used to monitor or regulate that force. To further initiate a discussion on pressure sensors, however, it is worthwhile to start with some fundamental definitions. Pressure is the magnitude of force exerted by a gas or a liquid on a unit area of a surface. The relationship between pressure (P), force (F), and area (A) is given by the equation P=F/A. The traditional unit of pressure is the Pascal, defined as one Newton (N) per square meter. Pressure can also be described as the force needed to impede a fluid's expansion. Pressure sensors come in a variety of technologies, which are discussed later in this article, and each technology will ultimately
comparable in function, and hence, the terms are often used interchangeably. However, the main distinctions among them are in their output signals. A pressure sensor senses the force of the pressure and generates an output signal that corresponds to the magnitude of the force being exerted. A pressure transducer transforms the detected force into a continuous voltage output (V), while a pressure transmitter converts the detected force into a current output (mA). In common usage, pressure sensors may be referred to using a variety of terms, such as pressure transducers, pressure transmitters,
utilized in your application can significantly impact these factors, as pressure is typically measured in relation to a reference, such as atmospheric pressure at sea level. One crucial term is Gauge Pressure, which is a measurement of pressure relative to the local ambient or atmospheric pressure. The indicated pressure is either higher or lower than the local atmospheric pressure. Another significant term is Absolute Pressure, which is pressure measurement relative to a reference of zero pressure or a vacuum. The measurement obtained using an absolute pressure sensor remains the same irrespective of the location where it is measured. Differential Pressure pertains to the difference in pressure between two distinct points in a system, which is frequently used to calculate the flow of liquids or gases within pipes.
pressure senders, pressure indicators, piezometers, and
manometers. Regardless of the given nomenclature, these devices are implemented for the monitoring and regulation of pressure in numerous applications, and can also be used for measuring other variables, such as fluid/gas flow, altitude, and water level. Pressure measurement types In the realm of pressure measurement and pressure sensors, there are a variety of terms that must be understood to ensure optimal system performance and measurement accuracy. The specific type of pressure sensor
determine how a particular pressure sensor operates.
Vacuum Pressure measures a negative pressure range as compared to ambient or local atmospheric pressure.
Although many pressure sensors available today can be used with a broad range of fluids and gases, some fluids that are more viscous or thick (paper pulp, asphalt, crude oil, etc.) may require customized pressure sensors. Nevertheless, there is a pressure sensor type suitable for almost any scenario.
Lastly, Compound Pressure involves the measurement of both positive and negative pressure or vacuum, essentially combining Gauge Pressure and Vacuum Pressure.
Addressing naming confusion
At a fundamental level, pressure sensors, pressure transducers, and pressure transmitters are
we get technical
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