What is a pressure transmitter?

Opinion | May 23, 2023

Eugenio Volonterio

Pressure Product Line Manager

A pressure transmitter is a mechanical device that measures the expansive force of a liquid or gaseous sample.

Also known as a pressure transducer, this type of sensor is typically composed of a pressure sensitive surface area made of steel, silicon, or other materials depending upon the analyte’s composition. Behind these surfaces are electronic components capable of converting the applied force of the sample upon the pressure sensor into an electrical signal.

Pressure is generally measured as a quantity of force per unit of surface area, and is expressed as the value required to stop a liquid, gas, or vapor from expanding. Various derived units are used to quantify pressure, including:

As a proportion of / relation to a pascal (Pa), or a single newton per square meter (1 N/m2);
A value of pounds per square inch (psi).

Pressure sensitive environments such as the gas, petrochemical, laboratory, and pharmaceutical industries often require pressure transmitters to monitor the applied force of liquids and gasses as a value of either Pa or psi. This necessitates the precise integration of pressure transmitters into rapid electrical conversion equipment, to ensure results are accurate and delivered in real-time.

More often however, industrial professionals rely on comprehensive gauge systems with incorporated pressure transmitters to maintain optimal pressure levels for gas, oils, and high temperature liquids.

Gauge Pressure Transmitters

Gauge pressure transmitters are equipped for absolute pressure measurements with industry-specific considerations to support severe process monitoring. Steel diaphragms fitted to pressure vessels or pipework can register minute deformations relating to applied force, which is in turn swiftly translated into an electrical signal by a pressure sensor within the gauge transmitter. This can be measured remotely, or monitored through intuitive, user-friendly displays at the site of measurement.

Applications of Pressure Transmitters

Pressure transmitters are routinely used in a wide range of industrial sectors. Offshore drilling and oil exploration commonly utilize pressure sensors to measure differential values between the interior and exterior of pressure sensitive equipment. Distinct parameters must be maintained to ensure drilling and acquisition processes are carried out to an ethical and efficient standard. This is also true of on-shore petrochemical, gas, and chemical facilities.

Numerous industries use pressure-sensitive transportation and storage devices to maintain optimal product conditions, which must be accurately monitored to ensure safe delivery and eventual application. Laboratories also use pressure sensors to measure the relative pressure of vacuum chambers to the atmosphere, supporting a limitless range of emerging studies.

Pressure Transmitters from ABB

ABB is a leading developer of measurement instrumentation for industrial and research applications, with an established range of pressure sensors suitable to everyday and cutting-edge applications. With All-Welded technologies, automatic on-board configuration, and enhanced plug and play graphical interfaces, measuring pressure can be a safe and seamless process.

If you would like any more information about our pressure transmitters, please find your local contact below.