A differential pressure sensor is a critical device used to measure the difference in pressure between two points in a system. This type of sensor is commonly employed in various industrial, automotive, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) applications, where precise pressure measurements are essential for system control and monitoring. To understand how a differential pressure sensor works, let's delve into the technical details.
How Does a Differential Pressure Transmitter Work?
To appreciate the functionality of these transmitters, it's crucial to understand how a differential pressure transmitter operates.
Here's how it works:
Pressure Sensing: The heart of the transmitter is a sensor that detects the pressure difference between two points in a system. One chamber is exposed to a high-pressure source, while the other senses the low-pressure side. In our case, this could be monitoring the pressure of a liquid or gas in a pipeline.
Reference Point: The sensor also has a reference point, which provides a baseline pressure. The sensor measures the difference between the pressure at the reference point and the point where it's directly sensing the pressure. This differential pressure is crucial for understanding the dynamics of the system.
Conversion to Electrical Signal: The sensor converts the differential pressure into an electrical signal. (There are numerous ways that this process can be accomplished. Nonetheless, for simplicity, one of the techniques includes the use of a strain gauge. The strain gauge is designed to change its electrical resistance when subjected to mechanical strain.) With our sensors, the accuracy of the conversion is astonishing, with a deviation of just ±0.25% (on our PDS2 device).
Precision Calibration: For the sensor to deliver reliable and accurate results, it undergoes a meticulous calibration process. This calibration ensures that the electrical output corresponds accurately with the actual pressure difference within the system.
Data Transmission: The transmitter processes the electrical signal and transmits it through the chosen communication protocol, whether it's NB-IoT or LoRaWAN. This enables near-real-time monitoring and data collection.
Data Management: The sensor's electrical output isn't the final act. It's processed further! The transmitted data is then managed by a platform, where it can be visualised and integrated into various IIoT platforms.
This process allows industries to gain critical insights into their systems, enabling precise control, reducing operational costs, and minimising downtime.
Technical Excellence - At Ellenex
Both our PDS2 transmitters (NB-IoT and LoRaWAN) offer a similar set of robust features, backed by advanced engineering.
Whether you need the efficiency and coverage of NB-IoT or the flexibility and range of LoRaWAN, you have the power to decide what works best for your specific requirements. These devices set new standards for low power differential pressure transmitters, delivering a new level of control and efficiency in industrial processes.
Let's explore the technical specifications that make these devices stand out.
Sensor:
Range
You can select a pressure range between 0~0.1 to 25 bar. These sensors provide a typical accuracy deviation of only ±0.25%, ensuring precision across a wide range of applications.
Resolution
An impressive ±0.01 resolution allows these devices to capture even the smallest pressure variations.
Pressure Reference
These devices operate on the principle of differential pressure, ensuring that they accurately measure the difference in pressure between two points in a system.
Temperature Coefficient of Zero and Span
These specifications guarantee consistent and dependable measurements, even when the temperature varies.
Long-term Stability
Both transmitters maintain their structural integrity and performance over the long term, even when subjected to occasional pressure overloads.
A Wide Array of Applications
These low-power differential pressure transmitters find their place in various industries and applications, from water pipeline pressure monitoring and pump performance monitoring to overseeing chiller and cooling systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and many more.
In conclusion, understanding how a differential pressure sensor works unveils the intricate dance of mechanical deformation, electrical resistance, and precise calibration, all leading to accurate and reliable pressure measurements. These low power differential pressure transmitters are versatile solutions for modern industrial applications, where precision and control are paramount. Happy sensing folks!