The terms pressure transducer, pressure transducer and pressure transmitter are often used interchangeably, and the exact definition may vary from source to source. The following is a general definition. The pressure sensor is usually a millivolt output signal, the transducer has an amplified voltage output, and the transmitter provides an output signal of 4-20mA. The terms pressure sensor, pressure transducer and pressure transmitter are interchangeable in some cases in the industrial field. The pressure sensor can be described with an output signal of 4-20 mA, while the pressure transducer uses a signal description of the millivolt level. Once the relevant details are described to define the output signal and application, the correct term can be determined.
Pressure Sensor
Pressure sensors are usually millivolt (mV) output signals (also a common term for all types of pressure); devices that measure pressure. Generally, millivolt output signals can be used from ten to twenty feet away from electronic equipment without significant signal loss. The signal is proportional to the power supply. A 5VDC power supply with a 10mV/V output signal can produce an output signal of 0-50mV. Old technologies such as bonded foil strain gauges or thin film technology can produce 2-3mV/V (millivolt/volt) output signals, while MEMS technology can reliably produce 20mV/V output signals. The millivolt output signal allows design engineers to flexibly adjust the output signal according to system needs, and can reduce package size and cost.
Pressure transducer
Pressure transducers are usually high-level voltage or frequency output signals, including 0.5 to 4.5V ratio (the output signal is proportional to the power supply), 1-5V and 1-6kHz. These output signals should be used within twenty feet of electronic equipment. The voltage output signal can provide low power consumption for remote battery-powered equipment such as wellhead SCADA systems. In addition to the 0.5-4.5V output that requires a 5VDC regulated power supply, the power supply voltage is usually 8-28VDC. Old voltage output signals such as 0-5V do not have the "non-zero minimum output" function that exists when the sensor is at zero pressure. This type of risk is that the system cannot distinguish between sensor failures without output and zero pressure.
Pressure Transmitters
Pressure transmitters are usually current output signals, that is, 4-20mA, and the device measures current rather than voltage; most pressure transmitters are two-wire devices. The 4-20mA pressure transmitter provides good electromagnetic interference resistance (EMI/RFI) and requires 8-28VDC power supply. Because the signal is generating current, it will consume more battery life if operated under full pressure.
Pressure sensor A pressure sensor is usually a millivolt (mV) output signal (also a common term for all pressure types); a device that measures pressure. Generally, millivolt output signals can be used within ten to twenty feet of electronic "/a" equipment without significant signal loss. The signal is proportional to the power supply "/a". A 5VDC power supply with a 10mV/V output signal can produce an output signal of 0-50mV. Old technologies such as bonded foil strain gauges or thin film technology can produce 2-3mV/V (millivolt/volt) output signals, while MEMS technology can reliably produce 20mV/V output signals.
The millivolt output signal allows design engineers to flexibly adjust the output signal according to system needs, and can reduce package size and cost. Pressure Transducer Pressure transducers are usually high-level voltage or frequency output signals, including 0.5 to 4.5V ratio (the output signal is proportional to the power supply), 1-5V and 1-6kHz. These output signals should be used within twenty feet of electronic equipment.
The voltage output signal can provide low power consumption for remote battery-powered equipment such as wellhead SCADA systems. In addition to the 0.5-4.5V output that requires a 5VDC regulated power supply, the power supply voltage is usually 8-28VDC. Old voltage output signals such as 0-5V do not have the "non-zero minimum output" function that exists when the sensor is at zero pressure. This type of risk is that the system cannot distinguish between sensor failures without output and zero pressure.
Pressure transmitters Pressure transmitters are usually current output signals, 4-20mA, and the device measures current rather than voltage; most pressure transmitters are two-wire devices. The 4-20mA pressure transmitter provides good electromagnetic interference resistance (EMI/RFI) and requires 8-28VDC power supply. Because the signal is generating current, it will consume more battery life if operated under full pressure.