Pressure Sensors

Selecting the Right Output Signal for Your Control System

Choosing the correct output signal is critical for system compatibility and noise immunity. Industrial systems typically rely on either analog current loops or analog voltage signals to transmit pressure data to controllers.

Consider the distance and electrical environment of your installation when choosing a configuration:

• 4-20mA Current Loops: Ideal for long-distance telemetry, such as deep-well submersible pumps. They are highly resistant to electrical noise and voltage drops over long wire runs.
• Voltage Outputs (0-5V, 1-5V, 0.5-4.5V): Excellent for localized applications inside a control cabinet or on mobile machinery. These sensors often operate on 5V or 12V DC power supplies, making them highly compatible with standard microcontrollers and automotive diagnostic boards.
• Digital Protocols (RS485): Suitable for smart networks where multiple sensors communicate over a single bus, providing diagnostics alongside pressure readings.

Matching Thread Size and Media Compatibility

Your pressure transducer must physically match your piping and chemically withstand the process media. Standard process connections include tapered threads like 1/8 NPT and straight threads like G1/4 or G1/2.

Media compatibility determines the life expectancy of your sensor. For water, air, oil, fuel, or diesel, stainless steel housings paired with ceramic cores provide excellent wear resistance and prevent corrosion. For specialized gas applications, such as oxygen generators, ensure the internal diaphragm and sealing materials are rated specifically for gas service to prevent hazardous reactions.

Defining Your Pressure Range and Accuracy Requirements

To avoid sensor failure, select a pressure range that accommodates your normal operating pressure plus a safety margin for system spikes. We supply sensors ranging from low-pressure barometric modules (0-40 kPa) up to high-pressure industrial transducers rated for 100 bar (1000 PSI).

For precise process loops, check the Full Scale (FS) accuracy rating. High-precision applications like variable frequency water pumps benefit from transmitters with 0.5% FS precision to maintain steady system pressures without oscillating.