Differential pressure sensors offer functionality beyond their primary purpose. Explore the unexpected measurements and applications that these multi-purpose sensors can be adapted to support.
Measurement & Instrumentation Guides
Guidance and reference articles for sourcing, setting up and using measurement equipment.
Measuring flow rate of a liquid or gas using a dp sensor
An introduction to the dp flow method of using a differential pressure sensor for measuring the flow of liquids and gases.
Measuring density of a liquid using a dp sensor
This guide provides an overview of methods for measuring liquid density using differential pressure sensors in various tank configurations and conditions.
Measuring liquid level in a tank using a dp sensor
Differential pressure sensors can be used to measure liquid level in a tank. Here we will explain how a DP sensor is used to measure liquid level.
Measuring vacuum as a negative gauge pressure using a dp sensor
Learn how a differential pressure sensor (dp sensor) can be used to measure a partial vacuum as a negative pressure relative to local surrounding air pressure.
Measuring vacuum as an absolute range using a dp sensor
Find out how to use a differential pressure sensor (dp sensor) to measure a partial vacuum as a positive pressure relative to full vacuum.
Measuring barometric pressure using a dp sensor
Learn the method to convert a differential pressure (DP) sensor for barometric pressure measurement.
Measuring absolute pressure using a dp sensor
Learn the method to convert a differential pressure (DP) sensor for absolute pressure measurement.
Measuring gauge pressure using a dp sensor
Differential pressure sensors can double as gauge pressure sensors. Here we will explain how a DP sensor is used to measure gauge pressure.
How do you choose the correct pressure range for a pressure sensor
The pressure range is the most complicated and confusing specification parameters to define for a pressure sensor.
Can you have a minus 20 psi gauge vacuum measurement range
Is it possible to have a vacuum pressure measurement device with a -20 to +50 psi gauge pressure range, since I’ve never seen a pressure instrument with a range greater than -15 psi?
Stop sea water level or depth sensor failures due to pitting or corrosion
Despite sea water being one of the harshest environments where a liquid level sensing device can be used, it is surprisingly common to find sensors that have been installed and fail much sooner than expected, should never have been specified in the first place.
Checking the LHR error of a 0-5 Vdc output pressure transducer
We have a transducer which is rated for 0-2000 psi, and it outputs 0-5 Volts. The specification document states that the accuracy is a combined LHR of +/- 0.5 %FS, how would we check this?
Output signal orientation for a negative gauge pressure range
Since a negative pressure range works backwards to a positive gauge or an absolute pressure range, and that zero pressure corresponds to a full scale measurement, it has led to the use of both a forward and reverse output signal to measure suction or vacuum pressure in relation to ambient atmospheric air pressure.
Measuring negative pressure using a positive differential pressure range
How can you use a differential pressure measurement device to measure a negative pressure if it has been factory configured to measure a positive pressure range without making any adjustments to the electronics or the signal output?
Calculating required pressure range for fuel tank level measurement
Using a pressure measurement instrument to measure fuel level is very common, however most are scaled in bar or psi pressure ranges, and if they do happen to be scaled in level units, they are typically water level based, such as mH2O or ftH2O.
What does negative and positive gauge pressure mean
You may not be aware but nearly every pressure measurement device you are using has a positive or negative gauge reference.
Can you measure vacuum using a gauge pressure range
The most common type of pressure range for pressure measurement instrumentation is one which has a gauge reference. So if you want to measure vacuum pressure, it would be convenient to use a gauge pressure device which is the most widely available pressure range format.
What is the difference between vacuum and absolute pressure
Often you will see a measurement of vacuum pressure described as an absolute pressure reading, so is there any difference between the two?
Pressure Measurement
One of the most common measurements on any machine or process is pressure. Air, gas and liquids are used extensively on many types of machines as the medium used to operate moving parts.
Determine range of pressure gauge needed to measure force generated by hydraulic press
Work out what pressure gauge is needed based on the bore size of the cylinder and the maximum force generated by a press.
Float Fluid Level Detection
Float activated switches for opening or closing electrical contacts at a preset fluid level.
Vibrating Tuning Fork Fluid Level Detection
Vibrating tuning fork switches for opening or closing electrical contacts at a preset fluid level.
Conductive Fluid Level Detection
Conductive sensing for detecting when a preset fluid level has been reached.
Capacitive Fluid Level Measurement
Capacitance method for measuring the level of a fluid.
Radar Distance Sensing
Radar method of measuring distance from a solid or liquid.
Ultrasonic Distance Sensing
Ultrasonic method of measuring distance from a solid or liquid.
Positive Displacement Flow Measurement
Positive displacement (PD) volumetric flow rate measurement.
Vortex Flow Measurement
Vortex shedding von Karman effect flow measurement.
Transit Time Flow Measurement
Using upstream and downstream ultrasonic transit time difference to measure flow velocity.
Ultrasonic Flow Velocity Sensors
Ultrasound acoustic wave fluid flow velocity sensors.
Doppler Effect Flow Measurement
How the Doppler effect acoustic frequency shift principle is used in flow measurement instrumentation.
Volumetric Flow Rate
Measuring the volume of a substance that has passed a particular point in a specified time period.
Mass Flow Rate
Measuring the mass of a substance that has passed a particular point in a specified time period.
Landfill Sites
A landfill site is an area of land that is used to bury waste material.
Liquid Level Sensors
Device for measuring liquid level and converting it to an electrical signal to send to other instrumentation.
Strain Gauge
Resistive strain gauge device.
Thin Film
Thin film deposition surface layer.
Turbine Rotor Sensor
Turbine rotor blade and motion sensor for measuring speed of a substance.
Paddle Wheel Sensor
Paddle wheel impeller and magnetic pickup sensor.
Totalizer
Total accumulated quantity of substance transferred.
USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface computer connection
Pressure Sensors
Pressure sensing devices
What are the advantages of using Wired Sensors instead of Wireless Sensors
This article explores the many advantages of wired sensors compared to wireless sensors in order to help you make a decision on whether to opt for a wireless sensor network over a wired sensor installation.
How do you measure the volume of a liquid using pressure
It is not possible to measure the volume directly, and unfortunately there is no such device as a volume sensor, however if you know the dimensions of the space filled with liquid, you can easily determine the volume.
Dual Temperature and Pressure
Sensors & instruments which have both temperature and pressure measurement within the same device.
Submersible
This submersible sensor & instrument selection guide will help you select products for installations where the instrumentation will be completely submerged.
Digital Interface
Measurement instrumentation which can be connected via a USB, RS232 or RS485 digital interface communications.
OEM Product Design & Development
Transducers for incorporating into OEM design instrumentation products to monitor or control.
Miniature Size
Miniature size sensors with small size dimensions for measurements where a small diameter, short length or a low mass is required.
Air Pressure
Pressure sensors, digital pressure gauges, manometers, calibrators and data loggers for measuring pneumatic air pressure.
Low Pressure Range
Low range pressure sensors, gauges, loggers and calibrators for measuring low pressures on filtration sytems, ventilation fans, air conditioning & handling systems.
Leak Testing
Pressure measurement sensors & instrumentation for leak monitoring. Find a pressure transmitter or transducer for leak testing.
High Temperature Protection
High temperature protected sensors and instruments for taking measurements of very hot liquid or gases.
High Pressure Range
High range pressure sensors, digital test gauges, loggers & calibration pumps for measuring and testing hydraulic equipment
High Frequency Response
Sensors & instrumentation that have a high frequency response measurement signal output or input.
High Accuracy
High accuracy pressure instruments with precise sensor technology & digital electronics for test, research & calibration applications.
Digital Pressure Gauges
This guide will help you choose digital pressure gauges by pointing you to the most appropriate product for a particular feature or function
Data Loggers
A guide to data loggers including explanations, applications and product selection guide for recording measurement data.
Pressure Transmitters
Find pressure transmitters for your application. Select an article to help with selecting or using pressure transmitters
Voltage Output Pressure Transducers
This guide provides information on the types of voltage output pressure transducers you can use, and how to choose the right output signal for your application.
ksi – Kilopounds per Square Inch Pressure Unit
The ksi pressure unit is derived from the psi pressure unit by multiplying it by 1,000, and the full name is kilopounds force per square inch.
mPa – Millipascal Pressure Unit
Find conversions for the mPa (Millipascal) pressure unit.
Millivolt Output Pressure Transducers
This guide will help you select a millivolt output pressure transducer and explain the advantages of using this type of pressure sensor.
Digital Pressure Sensors
This guide will help you choose a digital output pressure sensor for your application and explain the benefits of using a digital interface to transmit pressure readings.
N/mm² – Newton per Square Millimetre Pressure Unit
Find conversions for the N/mm² (newtons per square millimetre) pressure unit.
N/cm² – Newton per Square Centimetre Pressure Unit
Find conversions for the N/cm² (newtons per square centimetre) pressure unit.
kg/mm² – Kilogram per Square Millimetre Pressure Unit
Find conversions for the kg/mm² (kilograms per square millimetre) pressure unit.
Hydrostatic Liquid Level Sensors
Collection of resources for selecting and using a hydrostatic liquid level sensor.
Differential Pressure Sensors
Differential pressure sensor product selection guide for sensors used to measure the difference in pressure between two points.
How to create a list of specification parameters for a pressure sensor
Before purchasing a pressure sensor, there are a number of application questions you will need to answer to ensure it is fit for purpose
How to determine milk tank level and volume from pressure
How do I convert the pressure reading to quantity of milk at bottom temperature which varies approx 10 deg C
Why use 4-20mA and 3-15 psi rather than 0-20mA & 0-15psi
Why we mainly use 4-20 mA current and 3-15 psig pressure and not use from zero to 20 mA or 15 psig?
How do you measure flow rate with a dp cell
How do you use a dp cell measuring a span of 0-500 mmH2O with an o/p of 4-20 mA to control a flow rate of 0-1000 L/h for a flow meter range?
What is the difference between zero offset and zero drift?
Zero Offset relates to the zero setting tolerance during manufacture and Zero Drift relates to the expected maximum change in zero over time.
Choosing PVC, PUR, FEP and TPE cable types
When specifying the electrical connection for the DMP, DMK, LMP and LMK series of pressure/level transmitters you will need to choose from a selection of cable types.
Marine Approval
A guide to marine approval including explanations, applications and a choice of products certified for marine use.
Intrinsic Safety
A guide to intrinsic safety measurement instrumentation including explanations, applications and choice of products for installing in hazardous areas.
ATEX
ATEX is the European Directive for governing health and safety in explosive environments.
4 Wire
4 wire describes a sensor which has a either a wheatstone bridge strain gauge configuration or a amplified output sensor where the supply input is isolated from the signal output. 4 wire is also used to describe a resistive thermometer that is wired so that the error caused by the connecting wire on each side […]
Amplified Voltage Output
Amplified Voltage Output is convenient and robust measurement signal over medium distances to use with analogue to digital converters.
Vented Gauge
Vented Gauge (VG) is a pressure referenced to atmospheric pressure via a vent path on the reverse side of the pressure sensing diaphragm.
Pressure Units
There are many types of pressure units used depending on the country, industry and application.
Hysteresis
Hysteresis is the difference of two separate measurements taken at the same point, before and after a physical quantity is increased and decreased.
Absolute Pressure
A guide to absolute pressure measurement including explanations, applications and choice of products for measurements using a absolute reference.
bar Pressure Unit
The bar is a widely used metric unit of measurement for pressure and 1 bar equals precisely 100,000 pascals.
cmH2O – Centimetres of Water Column at 4 deg C Pressure Unit
Centimeters of Water Column is a manometric unit used to relate a pressure reading to the height of fresh water at a temperature of 4 degC. 1 centimeter of water gauge equals 98.0665 pascals.
Compound Pressure Ranges
Compound pressure ranges include both a positive and negative pressure range in one pressure measurement device.
Deadband
Deadband is a region of pressure where a change in pressure produces no change in measurement output or control signal.
cmHg – Centimetres of Mercury at 0 deg C Pressure Unit
Centimeters of Mercury is a small pressure unit which represents the pressure pushing down due to gravity of any volume of liquid mercury which is 1cm high. 1 centimeter of mercury at zero degrees Celsius equals 1333.22 pascals. The use of cmHg is not as common as mmHg, it is mainly used in applications for […]
Differential Pressure
A guide to differential pressure measurement including explanations, applications and choice of products for measuring differential pressure
dyn/cm² – Dyne per Square Centimetre Pressure Unit
Dyne per Square Centimeter is one of the smallest pressure units and is derived from the CGS unit for force, 1 Dyne per Square Centimetre equals 0.1 pascals.
EPDM – Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
EPDM is a type of rubber seal material which offers excellent resilience against solvents, antifreeze and aviation hydraulic fluids.
ftH2O – Feet of Water Column at 4 deg C Pressure Unit
Foot of Water Column is an American and English low value pressure unit
g Effect
The g Effect is a change in performance of a pressure measuring device that is caused by a change in its orientation. Typically a pressure sensing device will have some form of flat diaphragm which will generate a change in output when flexed by a change in pressure. If a pressure sensing diaphragm is orientated […]
g/cm² – Grams per Square Centimetre Pressure Unit
Grams Force per Square Centimetre is a cgs system pressure unit which is now largely obsolete and officially superceded by the SI system of units.
g – Acceleration due to Gravity
Gravity (g) which is defined by an acceleration of 9.80665m/s² is the designated average accelerating force due to Earth’s gravity at sea level.
hPa – Hectopascal Pressure Unit
Hectopascal is a 100x multiple of the pascal which is the SI unit for pressure.
HART®
HART® or Highway Addressable Remote Transducer is a type of digital communications protocol for configuring and reading instrumentation via 4-20mA signal.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that is generated by the weight of liquid above a measurement point, when the liquid is at rest.