Pressure sensors otherwise known as pressure transducers are used for monitoring and controlling thousands of everyday applications from air conditioning, automobile, manufacturing, aviation, biomedical measurements, hydraulic measurements and many more. In the automotive industry pressure sensors form an integral part of the engine for safety since it monitors both the oil and coolant pressure and regulates the power of the engine to achieve suitable speeds when the either the accelerator or brakes are pressed. For industrial use, ashcroft pressure transducer is used to monitor gases and their partial pressure in industrial units so that chemical reactions will take place in precisely controlled environmental conditions.
Pressure transducer specifications to work optimally in a given environment
- Measuring range – the minimum and maximum pressure between which the sensor is designed to operate without being damaged
- Operating temperature – the range of temperature where the sensors can operate optimally and so that the output can be consistent. In ambient conditions of extreme cold or heat, the sensors may not work properly which requires the sensors to work in a defined temperature range for consistency of output.
- Dimensions of the sensors – the size of the sensor will vary according to the type of area where pressure needs to be measured.
- Measurement type – type of pressure measurements may be absolute, gauge or differential.
- Accuracy – differential pressure measurements are the best way with which to gain accuracy in measurements
- Repeatability – means the ability of the sensor to produce the same results when a specific amount of pressure is applied repeatedly.
- Type of output generated – the electrical output that will be generated by the sensor can be of various types depending upon design and what the ultimate output device is.
- Response time – time spent between the inputs applied and the output received. With ashcroft pressure transducer it expected that response time would be rather swift in generating outputs.
- Offset voltage – the output voltage generated when no input is applied. Offset voltage is used when there is a need to reduce the error in the output and final outputs are calculated after subtracting the offset voltages from them.
Challenges faced by pressure sensors/transducers
- High temperature dependency
- Hysteresis
- Inability to deduce quick and dynamic pressure variations
- Sensitivity to external vibrations
- Irreparability of the electronic board assembly
- Sensitivity to electric, magnetic and RF fields
- Incompatibilities with electronic devices
Examples of Ashcroft pressure transducer
- G2 pressure transducer – a high performance pressure transducer used for tough OEM applications particularly for off-road equipment, construction machinery, compressor control, HVAC and refrigeration, agricultural implements, process automation and control, hydraulic and pneumatic sensing and pressure monitoring.
- GC31 3-in-1 pressure transducer – an ultra-compact ashcroft pressure transducer that consists of 3-in-1 digital pressure gauge, transducer and switch capabilities.
- GC55 differential pressure transducer – a wet/wet differential pressure transducer with integral digital display, user rangeable with 2 adjustable switch points. Applications include pump monitoring of building hydronic heating and cooling systems, filter monitoring in water purification and hydraulic systems and level measurement of for large and/or pressurized tanks.
