Sensor Basics: What’s a Pressure Sensor and Why It Matters

by | Jan 15, 2016 | Electrical

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Engineer’s Garage says a pressure sensor is a device that senses pressure. So if you’re wondering what low pressure sensors mean, it simply refers to a set of devices that senses when pressure levels are low or are currently going down. It also converts that pressure into an electric signal. The magnitude of the signal depends solely on the level of pressure applied. Since it has the ability to convert energy to a signal, a pressure sensor is also more commonly known as a pressure transducer.

What are types of pressure measurements?

Measuring pressure is often viewed relative to a reference value or in relation to an absolute scale. There are three types:

* Absolute. This pressure measurement happens when the pressure is measured about the perfect vacuum. Perfect vacuum simply refers to a situation where zero matter exists in the atmosphere. That means zero air pressure in the area as well. Sensors that are designed to record absolute pressure measurements can often be found in measurements connected to barometric or altitude.
* Differential. This pressure measurement refers to a situation when two positions are compared. The difference between the two pressures is often calculated. You’ll likely encounter this pressure measurement if you ever need to engage in feed pressure monitoring activities.
* Gauge. Similar to the differential pressure management, where you compare pressure against the atmospheric pressure. A gauge pressure measurement is often associated with applications related to measuring tire and blood pressure. However, because altitude changes the atmospheric pressure constantly, applications are often non-critical measurements.

Why is it important?
Pressure sensors, especially low pressure sensors, have plenty of uses in different industries, from automobiles and manufacturing to air conditioning, hydraulic measurements, and more. Some prominent examples are:

* Automotives. Pressure sensors are an important part of your car’s engine and safety features. Sensors track the oil and coolant pressure, ensuring that power is regulated.
* Touchscreen gadgets. You might not notice it but every time you use your touch-operated tablet or smartphone, that’s pressure sensors at work, with the slight pressure on the monitor allowing for a multitude of moves.
* Industrial Pressure sensors are used to track gasses and whatever forms of pressure they come within industrial environments. This way, if chemical reactions happen, pressure sensor readings provide an existing data that can help shed light on the matter.

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