For referring to variable capacitive sensing technologies, four specific terms are commonly used: pressure transmitters, transducers, sensors, and switches.Capacitanceis the detection and measurement of pressure by the change in voltage across a capacitor. The capacitance of sensing technology can be fixed or adjustable and varies dependent on the application.Capacitive sensing technologyis highly precise, boasting accuracies of up to ± 0.07% of full scale. This pressure sensing technology is used for applications where a high degree of accuracy is crucial, such as engine test stands and pressure decay leak detection.
A pressuresensoris any device that measures pressure and converts it to an electrical signal. It's an all-encompassing term that can be used to describe pressure transducers, transmitters, and switches. Although sometimes the terms transmitter, transducer, and switch are used interchangeably when referring to pressure measuring devices, each is a distinct measurement tool. These devices are similar but not identical, so the terms are not synonymous.
Pressure Transducers and Transmitters
压力传感器和压力变送器非常相似。压力传感器是一种机电设备，用于在5000欧姆或更高的高阻抗负载上将压力值转换为电压。另一方面，变送器通过低阻抗负载将压力值转换为电流，一般为4-20 ma。一般来说，在较长的距离上发送信号时，发射机是首选。然而，传感器和变送器都不能控制压力。这些设备仅用于测量压力和电子或视觉输出。
Pressure Switches
Unlike a transducer or transmitter that can translate all of the pressures in its range, a pressure switch triggers at a specific set pressure. That set pressure can be high or low to meet the needs of the application. Also, a switch can either engage or disengage a circuit.
What kind of sensor do I need?
Whether a transducer, transmitter, or switch would be used depends on the application. Switches are commonly found in vehicles to indicate low engine oil pressure and in gas compressors with an automatic shut-off mechanism.Transducers and transmittersprovide significantly more data beyond if a specified value has been hit. They are useful in critical spaces and industrial applications requiring high precision, feedback for a control system, data for alarm conditions, and trending information.
