Pressure Sensor

INTRODUCTION
• A pressure sensor measures
pressure, typically of gasses or
liquids. Pressure is an expression of
the force required to stop a fluid
from expanding, and is usually
stated in terms of force per unit
area.
• A pressure sensor usually acts as a
transducer; it generates a signal as
a function of the pressure imposed
INTRODUCTION
• Pressure sensors are used for control
and monitoring in thousands of
everyday applications.
• Pressure sensors can also be used to
indirectly measure other variables
such as fluid/gas flow, speed, water
level, and altitude.
• Pressure sensors can alternatively be
called pressure transducers,
pressure transmitters, pressure
senders, pressure indicators and
piezometers, manometers, among
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1-Bourdon Tube
Pressure Sensor
• The Bourdon Tube is one of the most
common pressure sensors in use. The
simplest form of this sensor is made
of a C-shaped metal tube.
• One end of the tube is sealed, and the
other end is connected to the source
of pressure that is being measured.
• The end that pressure is applied to is
mounted in such a way that it cannot
move.
• When pressure is applied to the inside
of the tube, the sealed end of the
tube will tend to straighten out, which
will cause a small amount of
movement at the sealed end of the
• Bourdon tube sensors are used to
measure pressure up to 100,000
psi.
• They are not useful for low pressures
under 15 psi because the tubing is
rigid and the amount of movement
of the open end of the tube is very
small.
• These types of sensors are used in
pressure gauges that can indicate
the amount of hydraulic or steam
Advantages Disadvantages

•Portable •Limited to static or quasi-

•Convenient
static measurements.
•Leveling not necessary •Accuracy may not be enough

for many applications. A

mercury barometer can be
used to calibrate and check
Bourdon Tubes.
2-Bellows and Capsules
• The bellows pressure sensor is made of a
sealed chamber that has multiple ridges
like the pleats of an accordion that are
compressed slightly when the sensor is
manufactured.
•
• When pressure is applied to the chamber,
the chamber will try to expand and open
the pleats.
•

• The figure shows an example of a bellows

sensor, which uses a spring to oppose the
movement of the bellows and provides a
means to adjust the amount of travel the
• This type of sensor is used in low-
pressure applications usually less
than 30 psi. The bellows sensor is also
used to make a differential pressure
sensor.
• This type of sensor limits the type of
electrical interface to either an on/off
switch or to a potentiometer. When a
more accurate indication is required,
other types of pressure sensors that
produce a change of voltage or
resistance will be used.
3-Spring and Piston
• It is used to sense predetermined pressure
•
• The sensor may be used to detect high pressure or a
low-pressure condition by connecting the input
instrument pressure to the appropriate port. When
connected to either port the remaining port becomes
the exhaust port.

• When used in a high pressure sensing application, the

sensor allows flow through the instrument ports from
"low" input to output as long as the sensing pressure
increases to the high set point, the instrument input
is blocked and the output is bled to the exhaust port.

• When used in a low pressure sensing application, the

sensor allows flow through the instrument ports from
"low" input to output as long as the sensed pressure
is above the low set pressure. When the sensing
pressure decreases to the low set point, the
instrument is blocked and the outlet is bled to the
exhaust port.
4-Diaphragm
• The diaphragm pressure sensor is
designed to measure lower pressures
in the range of 330 psi and vacuums
to 29.9 in. of mercury (in. Hg).
•
• The diaphragm is made of a flexible
membrane, which can be rubber for
lower pressures and metal for
pressures up to 330 psi.
•
• The diaphragm is mounted in the
middle of the capsule so that it
•
• One of the chambers is open to the
atmosphere and the other is
connected to the source of pressure
being measured.
•

• When pressure is applied to the

chamber, the diaphragm will expand
slightly into the open chamber.
•
• The amount of movement will be
proportional to the pressure being
applied.
Sensor Limits of Application Accuracy
Advantages Disadvantages

Bourdon up to 100 MPa 1-5% of -low cost with -hysteresis

full span reasonable accuracy -affected by shock
-wide limits of and vibration
application

Spiral up to 100 MPa 0.5% of Same Same

Bourdon full span

Helical up to 100 MPa 1-5% of Same Same

Bourdon full span

typically 0.5% of low cost -smaller pressure

vacuum to 500 full span -differential range of
Bellows kPa pressure application
-temperature
compensation
needed

Diaphragm up to 60 kPa 0.5-1.5% of full span

-very small span -usually limited
possible to low pressures