Pressure Transducers: Types & Industrial Applications

Pressure transducers have several applications across various sectors. Manufacturers build pressure transducers on Piezoresistive principle, allowing for precise readings in various gaseous and liquid media pressure measurement.

The most common applications of pressure transducers are in industrial settings. Durability is guaranteed thanks to their robust nature, so they are one of the safest and most dependable options available.

What is a Pressure Transducer?

You can use a pressure transducer to determine the pressure of fluids and gases. They measure and transmit pressure as an electrical signal to regulators and alarms. The use of a power transducer depends on your industrial application.

Types of Pressure Transducers

Resistive Pressure Transducer (Strain Gauge)

The gauge pressure transducer mainly measures high, differential, and low pressures. Differential pressure in this context refers to the pressure difference between two spots. The diaphragm is the main element of this type of transducer.

When the diaphragm is compressed, the strain gauges will register a change in resistance. You can improve the sensitivity of a transducer by using a Wheatstone bridge, which typically consists of four gauges.

Capacitance Pressure Transducer

This pressure transducer is made when an electrode and the diaphragm are covered with a capacitive material. The backing plate is attached to a non-pressurized surface and placed at a specified interval from the diaphragm plate, which creates a vacuum. A change in capacitance is then transformed into a usable sign when the pressure between two surfaces increases or decreases. The pressure transducer can transform the variation in capacitance into an operational signal and determine the differential force, absolute force, or gauge force.

Inductive Pressure Transducer

An inductive pressure transducer uses electromagnetic induction. A diaphragm is attached to a ferromagnetic core, and the slightest diaphragm compression can create a current.

Since there is a shift in pressure due to the core motion, the induced current can also shift. The internal variation in current can be transformed into a usable signal using the inductive pressure transducer.

Potentiometric Pressure Transducer

The main components of this type of pressure transducer are the resistant wire, wiper, capsule, and sliding contact. There is a linkage rod that connects the capsule to the wiper. The capsule force alters the position of the wiper, so resistance between the wiper and the potentiometer also shifts. As a result, the resistance is calculated from the mechanical deflection.

Resonant Wire

Transducers of this type use a vibrating wire encased in a diaphragm while the wire is in constant motion thanks to the oscillator. Changes in the diaphragm's internal pressure adjust the wire's pressure and resonant frequency. Experts use digital counter circuits to detect this resonant frequency and convert it into an electrical signal.

Piezoelectric

Pressure on this transducer creates an electric charge generated by a ceramic material. This voltage-like charge is directly related to the internal pressure variation. Transducers of this type have an impressively quick response time and a high degree of sensitivity.

Piezoresistive

The measurement component of piezoresistive pressure sensors is a Wheatstone-Bridge made of silicon. Under pressure, it only slightly stretches, hence altering the electrical resistance. The term piezoresistive effect is often used to describe this phenomenon.

Industrial Applications of Pressure Transducers

• Industrial Applications of Pressure Transducers

   

  • Water Pipe Leak Detection-Pressure transducers like these can be used to pinpoint the source of a water leak. A leak in a pipeline could be indicated by a significant and unexpected decrease in pressure across the system. For example, water leakage may be to blame if two pressure transducers installed in series in a pipeline show a significant pressure differential. At the same time, there are no physical obstacles to the flow of water.

  
  

  • Pump Pressure Monitoring-One of the most crucial pump variables is the pressure at the discharge. For instance, you can determine the pump's flow rate by using these Industrial elements. They can measure and track both the suction pressure and the discharge pressure. Small pumps require a micro pressure transducer, while standard pressure transducers can manage much larger ones. As water hammers can cause damage to pressure transducers, it is recommended that you install them further from the discharge line in systems with larger pumps.
  • High-temperature pressure measurement -It is necessary to monitor the pressure of a liquid or gas under very high temperatures in various industrial applications. You can use a siphon effect to shield a pressure transducer from the extreme heat of the media you are measuring by diverting it via a segment of metal pipe before entering the transducer. Shorter distances between the process and the pressure transducer are possible with larger siphon tubes.

   

  Take Away

   

  Pressure transducers used in industry must be accurate, reliable, and safe because of the risks that come with inefficiency. Please find out more about the different models on the market, how well they work with the system of application in your industry, and precautions.