Differential pressure sensor

American Sensor Technologies now offers the AST5400 wet / wet differential pressure sensor (also termed differential pressure transducer or transmitter) to measure line pressures up to 2,000 PSI with a turndown ratio of 15 to 1. This cost effective product was developed to bring the features of differential pressure sensors to the process industry market.

Using Krystal Bond Technology, the sensor contains no silicone oil, O-rings, or welds. This MEMS pressure sensor technology completely isolates the media to the pressure ports, thus eliminating contamination risk. The low strain level on the diaphragm results in accurate, repeatable measurements. This differential pressure sensor, with its high line pressure capability, can be installed into systems without five way equalization valves, thus saving users hundreds of dollars per installation.

The differential pressure sensor replaces systems that use two gauge pressure sensors to calculate differential pressure, saving on installation time, and lowering cost. Because the accuracy or in-accuracy, of two sensor systems is additive, it can easily increase performance over temperature.

With the advancements in electronics, users of differential pressure switches can now make use of a sensor to monitor system performance and trends in applications requiring a high turn-down and high cycle performance. Alarm functions can be added through most controllers, thus obsoleting the switch.

The differential pressure sensor can be used to measure differential pressure across a filter, monitor level in a sealed or vented tank, or calculate flow across an orifice plate. With digital compensation, the series offers excellent linearity and performance over temperature. The electronics offer a fail safe condition on the output signal. If the transducer were to experience a fault condition, the transducer can be programmed to rail the output signal to 10% below the minimum or 10% above maximum output signal to notify the user of an issue and protect the system from undesirable conditions. The sensor also offers excellent flexibility, allowing for a variety of wetted materials and pressure ports. Edited by Constanze Schmitz