A pressure transducer measures fluid or gas force and converts it into an electrical signal. There are three types of electrical output: millivolt, voltage, and 4-20 milliampere. The output determines the environment the product is suitable for. Pressure transducers can be affected by temperature and electromagnetic interference. They can be mounted to a computer board or feature a thick, strong enclosure. High-accuracy pressure transducers have very low errors.
A pressure transducer is a device that directly measures the force of the fluid or gas and converts the value into an electrical signal. The unit typically includes a diaphragm that responds to changes in pressure, which pushes or pulls on a component called a strain gauge. An electrical resistance is created which is generally representative of the pressure. There are generally three types of electrical output for a pressure transducer: millivolt, voltage, and 4-20 milliampere output. Sensors often come in a variety of styles and can connect to processors, controllers, and computers using an analog-to-digital converter.
The electrical output of a pressure transducer generally determines which environment the product is suitable for. With a millivolt output pressure sensor, the output is completely dependent on the input power level, so fluctuations in electricity can affect the reading. Voltage output sensors have a higher output which is not directly affected by input power and can be used in industrial facilities where electrical currents can often shunt.
Another type of pressure transducer is a 4-20 milliampere sensor. Electrical noise does not usually affect this type as much as others and can sometimes transmit signals more than 1,000 feet (more than 308.4 meters) away. All types of pressure transducers can be characterized by their range, or by the minimum and maximum pressures that can be measured accurately. They can also be identified by how normal operation is possible in the pressure range. Resolution, or how small a pressure change can be detected relative to the total capacity, is often another consideration.
A pressure transducer can be affected by temperature and electromagnetic interference (EMI). These can affect the output, while some transducers are shielded and grounded against electromagnetic interference up to certain intensities. Materials used in sensors such as stainless steel, plastics, silicon or epoxies can be adversely affected by certain pressurized fluids.
Some pressure transducers can be mounted to a computer board and typically come with contacts for a solid connection. Others, specifically designed for industrial environments, often feature a thick, strong enclosure. General purpose devices usually have a standard design that allows them to be connected to commonly used equipment. Often more expensive than other varieties, a high-accuracy pressure transducer generally has very low errors, expressed as a percentage of total capacity. A different type of pressure sensor can eliminate the risk of thick fluids building up between the diaphragm and other components.
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