Product category:
Pressure sensors
News Release from: SensorsOne | Subject: TPS and TPSA pressure transducers
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 17 January 2007
Transducers handle high pressure testing
Hydraulic pressure test stands can be extremely unforgiving to some pressure transducers.
Hydraulic pressure test stands can be extremely unforgiving to some pressure transducers, especially in high dynamic systems which are testing hydraulic actuators or valves The constant opening and closing of hydraulic valves can create large surges in pressure sending shockwaves through the system
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 24 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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If the most appropriate pressure sensing technology is not employed this can lead to irreparable damage to the sensing element.
One method to protect a pressure sensor in a hydraulic system is to fit a snubber or a restriction inside the pressure connection.
A snubber is very effective in absorbing high frequency shock pressures, but there is a trade off with the dynamic response and over time the snubber or restriction could become blocked from a build up of contaminant particles.
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Another method to reduce the effect of hydraulic pressure spikes is to use a much higher range pressure transducer than you need so that its overpressure rating is effectively increased.
But this again leads to compromise in measurement performance which in this case is a combination of accuracy, signal to noise and lower output signal.
In some hydraulic systems it maybe appropriate to combine both these methods to protect a pressure transmitter, but it is also worth carefully choosing the pressure sensing technology that is most suited to the punishing changes in pressure it will be subjected to as part of a high pressure test stand.
The TPSA and TPS high pressure transducer both have sensing elements that are machined from one piece of 17-4ph stainless steel which retains the uniform structural lattice for higher mechanical integrity without the need for composite high precision welding.
The sensing element is joined to the pressure connection by TIG welding the two components together and the complete sensor housing is designed to isolate the sensing element from mechanical stresses induced when installing the pressure sensor.
The sensing diaphragm of the TPSA and TPS hydraulic pressure sensors is typically 0.8-1.0mm thick which makes the diaphragm very strong and durable.
A Wheatstone bridge arrangement of foil strain gauges are bonded to the reverse side of the diaphragm which are then connected to digital signal conditioning which achieves a measurement accuracy of 0.1% of full scale.
The TPSA has a 4-20mA, 5V or 10V output pressure transmitter with pressure ranges from 50 to 1000bar.
The TPS is a millivolt output strain gauge pressure sensor with pressure ranges from 10 to 1000bar and achieves a typical measurement accuracy of 0.15% full-scale.
Both the TPS and TPSA pressure transducer can be configured for most applications with a selection of electrical connections such as DIN43650 plug, M12 connector, Amphenol military bayonet style, Binder and integral cable gland.
A complete choice of pressure connections are also available with G1/4 male or female, 1/8 or 1/4 NPT male or female, G1/2A male, M12 or M14 x 1.5 male and 7/16-20 UNF male or female.
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