To understand the functioning of pressure sensors, it is important that you understand what pressure is. Pressure is a force that is applied to stop the expansion of gases. The force that is applied is measured in force per unit area.

Pressure sensors monitor this pressure and keep them under control. These sensors can be used to monitor air, water and altitude pressures. Pressure transducers, pressure transmitters and pressure indicators are some of the common names used for pressure sensors. Pressure sensors are never of the same technology. They can either be wireless or wired, depending on the needs of your industry. It is prudent to have a wireless pressure sensor installed in your devices.

The benefits of using pressure sensors

Pressure sensors are installed in a device based on the principle of resistance offered by a material that is directly proportional to the applied force on that machinery or item. This principle is commonly found in wireless pressure sensors. Wireless pressure systems are used in applications that help to monitor the status and work rate of your device. A computer or a control system receives Radio Frequency (RF) which is transmitted by the wireless pressure sensor. The better signal-noise ratio it offers, the easier it becomes for networking. The benefits offered by wireless pressure sensors make them ideal choices for companies.

There are various other uses of wireless pressure sensors but they are mostly used in heavy industries which manufacture steel, chemical and beverages. Pressure systems have the capability to determine the depth of the ice pack along with its thickness and hence are used by environmentalists on a large scale.

Pressure sensors are used for many industrial applications. They measure pressure of liquids and gases.

There are different types of pressure sensors manufactured. The make of different sensors depend on the applications, the technology used to manufacture them and the costs. Some common types of pressure sensors are listed below.

Absolute pressure sensor

An absolute pressure sensor will record pressure according to the perfect vacuum pressure.

Gauge pressure sensor

Gauge pressure sensors are used for different applications. This is because they can be easily standardised to adapt to atmospheric pressures of varying locations.

Vacuum pressure sensor

Vacuum pressure sensor is commonly used to record pressure that is below a given location’s atmospheric pressure.

Sealed pressure sensor

Sealed pressure sensors are used to calculate pressure at sea-level

Differential pressure sensor

Differential pressure sensors are used to obtain measurements if there has been an increase or decrease in two or more pressure mechanisms. Differential pressure sensors also help to get a pressurised flow in vessels.

Technologies used to manufacture pressure sensors

Pressure sensors are manufactured using different technologies like semiconductor piezoresistive, strain gauge and microelectromechanical systems. All these technologies have their own distinct characteristics.

Fibre optic sensors make use of fibre optic mechanism. Small parts of fibre optic interferometers are connected together to produce a fibre optic sensor. Some pressure sensors are also manufactured using mechanical deflection. Mechanical properties of a liquid are calculated to determine the pressure and to track its effect on a spring system.

Are you planning to employ pressure sensors in your manufacturing plant? It is a good decision if you want to avoid any untoward incidents. With pressure sensors, you can keep a constant tab on the applied pressure. It is important that you understand different aspects associated with pressure sensors. Given below are some of the important aspects related to pressure sensors:

1. Functions performed

Pressure sensors are used to gauge or measure the applied pressure. They are basically used to calculate the force of gases as well as liquids. Pressure sensors help the users in their endeavour of preventing gas and liquid pressure from increasing or decreasing too much. They can be designed to sound off an alarm whenever the applied pressure exceeds the permissible limits. Similarly, these sensors initiate an alarm when the applied pressure is less than implied.

2. Uses of pressure sensors

Pressure sensors are used in several industries. Manufacturers use them for measuring the given variables:

• Altitude
• Level
• Flow
• Speed of liquids and gases

Keep in mind that the design and technology used in pressure sensors varies depending on the industry. Moreover, greater cost means that the sensor will perform faster and better.

3. Different types of Pressure Sensors

Pressure sensors are available in many different types. They are classified on the basis of the pressure measured. Sealed, gauge, differential, absolute and vacuum are the five different types of pressure sensors. You can thus purchase a pressure sensor depending upon the type of pressure to be measured.

Pressure sensors are one of the most useful industrial applications these days. They can in fact be described as a boon for the industry professionals. Pressure sensors not only perform the function of measuring pressure but also help to avert any untoward incidents. This is why they are used on a large scale in manufacturing plants.

The following are some of the different aspects of pressure sensors:

What are pressure sensors?

Pressure sensors are basically devices which are used to measure pressure. This is why they are also known as pressure transducers or indicators. They are mostly used to gauge the force of gases or liquids. Pressure is supplied to liquids as well gases to prevent them from increasing. Thus, pressure sensors function as an alarm or warning signal whenever the applied pressure exceeds the permissible limits.

What are they used for?

They are mainly used in industries in which manufacturers are required to measure different aspects like the level, flow and speed of liquids and gases. However, keep in mind that the designs of these devices vary on the basis of the application or industry in which they are used. The cost of the pressure sensors is decided upon the production cost and functions performed.

Different types of pressure sensors

Pressure sensors are available in many different types. To be precise, there are five different types of pressure sensors. Pressure sensors are classified on the basis of the functions performed by them. For example, they are classified on the basis of the range of measurements and type of element being used.

Pressure sensors are industrial products which are designed to monitor the pressure imposed on different fluids. These devices work as transducers which convert the energy into another readable form. Different variables such as gas flow, fluid, water level and altitude are measured with pressure sensors. In some industries, pressure sensors are also known as pressure transmitters or indicators.

Various types of pressure sensors

Due to the different measurement requirements, various pressure sensors are manufactured these days. Absolute pressure sensors are most commonly used, as they sense pressure according to the vacuum. Even gauge pressure sensors are installed in various applications because they can easily check pressure in different locations.

Vacuum pressure sensors can monitor the pressure which is less than the atmospheric pressure. Differential pressure sensors are designed to monitor the pressure of two or more pressure switches. These sensors are preferred by many operators because they monitor more than one system. Lastly, sealed sensors are used to calculate sea level pressure.

What technologies are used in pressure sensors?

To manufacture different pressure sensors, various new technologies have been introduced by manufacturers. Fiber optic technology uses small sized fiber optic interferometers to monitor pressure changes. Mechanical deflection is a technology which uses the mechanical properties of the liquid to measure the pressure.

Various other technologies such as semiconductor piezoresistive, vibrating elements, microelectromechanical systems and vibrating capacitance are also used. The pressure sensors manufactured by using these technologies are used in different applications.

Pressure sensors are used to calculate the pressure of different gases and liquids. Pressure can be defined as the force needed to prevent fluid from expanding. A pressure sensor is effective to generate an alert due to the pressure imposed.

There are different types of pressure sensors used to measure the variables. They are broadly classified into the pressure ranges they measure and the temperature ranges they operate on. Some common types of pressure sensor are listed below.

Absolute pressure sensor

Absolute pressure sensors are used to calculate pressure in relation to absolute vacuum pressure. Atmospheric pressure at sea level in relation to vacuum is 101.325 kPa.

Vacuum pressure sensor

Vacuum pressure sensor is used to measure pressure less than atmospheric pressure at a certain location. This may sometimes cause confusion in the industry as some people may consider a vacuum sensor as one which is related to either absolute vacuum or atmospheric pressure.

Gauge pressure sensor

A gauge pressure sensor is versatile in use as it can be easily standardised to calculate pressure with reference to a known atmospheric pressure at a specific location. An example of a gauge pressure sensor is a tire pressure gauge.

Sealed pressure sensor

A sealed pressure sensor is similar to a gauge pressure sensor, except that it is calibrated beforehand by the manufacturers. This is done to measure pressure in relation to sea level pressure.

Differential pressure sensor

Differential pressure sensors are used to measure the level or flow in pressurised vessels. They also calculate the difference in two or more pressures set as inputs in the sensing unit, e.g., a measuring drop in pressure in an oil filter.

Pressure sensors are devices that are used to monitor the load on heavy duty machinery in factories. With the help of pressure sensors, the operator can be given up to date information on the machinery. These machines can be shut down if the load on them increases.

Pressure sensors play an important role in preventing damage to the expensive equipment used in factories. From time to time maintenance can also be carried out. Over time, pressure sensors have undergone a major change. With the introduction of wireless pressure sensors, companies find it easier to keep a track on the performance of their machines. Given below are some of the uses of pressure sensors.

Common reasons to use wireless pressure sensors

Factories have started using wireless pressure sensors to avoid the clutter of wires. Tyre pressure, transducer miniaturisation, multi point sensing and enhanced signal to noise ratio are some of the other common reasons to use wireless pressure sensors.

Keller pressure sensors

Keller pressure sensors use the piezoresistance law to function. According to this law, the pressure applied on the device is directly proportional to the resistance. Various industries use the Keller pressure sensor for their machinery and equipment.

Other industrial uses of wireless pressure sensors

Wireless pressure sensors are common in many industries. The petroleum industry, waste water facilities and manufacturing giants are some of the industries which rely heavily on the wireless pressure system.

An important advantage of wireless pressure sensor is that they can be used to study the liquid chemicals and beverages. Wireless pressure systems have become an integral part of every major business.

Today, most industrial applications use high pressure for production purposes. This is why different types of pressure sensors are frequently introduced on to the market. This includes sealed pressure sensors, differential sensors, gauge and vacuum pressure sensors. Pressure sensors are used in different fields such as automotive applications, medical instrumentation and the avionics industry.

Once you have installed pressure sensors in your industrial applications then you can easily know whether the pressure is above the safety levels or not. To manufacture pressure sensors, different technologies are used these days. These include:

Fibre optic pressure sensors – This technology uses the advanced properties of fibre optics. The pressure sensors are manufactured by using the latest miniature fibre optic interferometers to sense the movement of membranes.

Strain gauge pressure sensors – Strain gauge technology uses the change in resistance which is experienced by some materials due to strain or stretch. This technology checks the change of conductivity and then calculates the difference.

Mechanical deflection – Under this technology, the mechanical properties of liquid is used to measure the pressure. Pressure is measured by checking the changes occurred on the spring.

Variable capacitance – This kind of technology uses the change of capacitance which takes place due to the change of distance between the plates of a capacitor.

Semiconductor piezoresistive – By using the change in the conductivity of semiconductors which takes place due to the change in pressure, this technology displays the pressure.

Besides the above mentioned technologies, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and vibrating elements are used to manufacture pressure sensors.

Pressure sensors are industrial devices that are used to gauge liquid and gas pressures. The mechanism is very simple. The pressure sensor converts energy in another structure.

Pressure sensors are capable to generate signals with the help of pressure applied on optical, electrical, and auditory along with visual signals. Pressure sensors can effectively monitor gas flow, liquid flow, speed, altitude and water level for different purposes.

Pressure sensors have different versions depending on the applications they will be used for, the cost of the product and the technology used to manufacture the sensor. Some of the different types of pressure sensors are-

Absolute pressure sensor

Absolute pressure sensor takes sensor recordings according to the perfect vacuum pressure.

Gauge pressure sensor

Gauge pressure sensor is used for different purposes because of its capability to adapt to atmospheric pressures of various locations.

Vacuum pressure sensor

Vacuum pressure sensor is more commonly used to measure pressure that may be less than a given location’s atmospheric pressure.

Differential pressure sensor

Differential pressure sensor is helpful to get a pressurised flow in vessels. It is also effective to track if there has been an increase or decrease in two or more pressure systems.

Sealed pressure sensor

Sealed pressure sensor simply calculates pressure at sea level.

Technologies used

Pressure sensors are manufactured using new, emerging technologies. Sensors that make use of fibre optics in their manufacture are termed as fibre optic sensors. Small pieces of fibre optic interferometers are used to make the fibre optic sensor. Some other technologies that are used to manufacture pressure sensors are strain gauge microelectromechanacial systems, semiconductor piezoresistive, vibrating elements and vibrating capacitance.

Pressure sensors have a variety of applications. Wireless industrial pressure sensors are mostly used for industrial purposes.

The working of wireless pressure sensors

Wireless pressure sensors are commonly used for keeping a check on the status of machinery and other equipment used in manufacturing units and process control. Wireless pressure sensors can establish communications with other devices through wireless means. This is beneficial if you have to use the pressure sensors in remote controlled devices.

Wireless pressure sensors are designed on the basis of the piezoresistance principle. The principle states that the pressure applied on the substance is directly proportional to the resistance of the material.

Common uses

The wireless feature of these sensors makes them useful for many industrial applications. Wireless industrial pressure sensors are widely used in circuit integration, transducer miniaturisation, networking ease, multi-point sensing and better signal-to-noise ratio. They can be effectively used to determine the bottom-line pressure in the petroleum industry.

Where are they used?

Different industries make varying uses of the networks of these sensors, including a differential pressure sensor. Wireless sensor networks can be effectively used to monitor different process variables in the production of petroleum and related activities. Wireless sensor networks are also used in manufacturing sector to monitor different process variables and tracking the different method variables in wastewater facilities.

Though wireless sensor networks have a potential to be used in a large number of industries, they are more commonly used where substances are of a flowing nature like in the metal and chemical industries.

Pressure sensors work on the basic principle that the current flowing through the piezoelectric substance is directly proportional to the amount of pressure applied. A force collector is used to monitor the pressure.