Pressure switches, sensors, transducers, transmitters – what’s the difference?

There are many different types of pressure switches, sensors, transducers and transmitters. If you’re not familiar with them, or perhaps don’t work in an industry where they aren’t commonly used, then you’d be forgiven for not knowing the difference between them. We’ve put together a quick guide on what each one is and what they are used for. Take a look below to find out more. What is a pressure sensor? A pressure sensor is actually more of an umbrella term used to refer to any device that measures pressure and then converts the pressure into an electric or analogue signal. This includes pressure switches, transmitters and transducers. What are pressure transducers and transmitters? A pressure transducer measures the pressure of different liquids and gases. It does this by converting the pressure into analogue and electrical signals which means it can be easily monitored and recorded. They can be used for a range of applications, such as leak detection and monitoring air quality. They can work in a number of high-pressure environments and can vary in appearance depending on their purpose. Pressure transducers can sometimes be known as pressure sensors or transmitters, though these have different purposes. For example, a transmitter is used for translating pressure values into currents across a certain load. Pressure transmitters are often used when sending a signal over longer distances. What is a pressure switch? Just like pressure sensors, transducers and transmitters, pressure switches are used for a wide range of applications across a number of different industries. A pressure switch is set up to trigger a certain process at a specific pressure. They are used for measuring a rise or fall in pressure and to provide electrical feedback to certain systems in response. If you would like to find out more about pressure switches, transducers and sensors or need to find the right product for your project. Get in touch with us today, we have over 30 years’ experience supplying pressure switches, transducers, transmitters and sensors to customers across the UK. Alternatively, if you would like to find out more about the fantastic range of products we offer, click here to see our full range.

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