Pressure sensors Manufacturers online

Pressure sensors are measuring devices that convert the physical pressure of a medium (gas or liquid) into an electrical signal.

They are of great importance in automation, medical technology, aerospace, environmental technology and many other areas.

Below you will find the functionality of different types and types of pressure sensors, their areas of application as well as trends and developments in this field:

How pressure sensors work:

Pressure sensors are based on various physical principles. The choice of measuring principle depends on the application, the pressure range, the media compatibility and the desired accuracy. Below is a list of the most common types:

1. Piezoresistive pressure sensors
   Principle: The electrical resistance of a material changes when mechanically deformed by pressure.
   Material: Mostly silicon.
   Advantages: High sensitivity, good miniaturization capability.
   Disadvantages: Temperature-dependent, susceptible to drift.
2. Capacitive pressure sensors:
   Principle: Pressure changes the distance between two capacitor plates → change in capacitance.
   Advantages: Very high accuracy, low power consumption.
   Disadvantages: Sensitive to electromagnetic interference.
3. Piezoelectric pressure sensors:
   Principle: Piezoelectric materials generate an electrical charge under pressure.
   Advantages: Ideal for dynamic pressure measurements (e.g. shock, vibration).
   Disadvantages: Not suitable for static pressure measurement.
4. Inductive pressure sensors:
   Principle: Change in magnetic flux due to displacement of a core influences an inductance.
   Advantages: Robust design, suitable for industrial applications.
   Disadvantages: Limited accuracy.
5. Resonance pressure sensors:
   Principle: Pressure change influences the resonant frequency of an element.
   Advantages: High long-term stability and accuracy.
   Disadvantages: More complex to manufacture.
6. Optical pressure sensors:
   Principle: Changes in pressure influence the propagation of light in a fiber or optical element.
   Advantages: Immune to electromagnetic interference, suitable for hazardous areas.
   Disadvantages: Expensive, complex to evaluate.

Types of pressure sensors:

There are three main ways in which pressure sensors record and classify pressure values:

1. Relative pressure (gauge pressure):
   Measures pressure relative to ambient pressure e.g. tire pressure sensors.
2. Absolute pressure:
   Measures the pressure relative to the vacuum e.g. altitude measurement.
3. Differential pressure:
   Measures the difference between two pressure points e.g. filter monitoring, flow measurement.

Use of pressure sensors:

Pressure sensors are used almost everywhere - from industrial manufacturing to medical diagnostics. Here are some main areas of application:

1. Industry and mechanical engineering:
Applications: Hydraulic and pneumatic systems, pressure monitoring in systems.
Typical requirements: Robust design, high accuracy, temperature resistance.

2. Automotive industry:
Applications: Tire pressure monitoring (TPMS), boost pressure measurement, oil pressure, brake boosters.
Requirements: Compact design, high reliability, vibration-resistant.

3. Medical technology:
Applications: Blood pressure measurement, ventilators, infusion pumps.
Requirements: Biocompatibility, high precision, low drift.

4. Aerospace:
Applications: Altitude measurement (barometer), cabin pressure, flow measurement.
Requirements: Lightweight construction, extreme temperature ranges, high reliability.

5. Building and air conditioning technology:
Applications: Air pressure sensors for ventilation systems, differential pressure measurement in filters or rooms.
Requirements: Low costs, high long-term stability.

6. Environmental technology and energy:
Applications: Level measurement (hydrostatic), geothermal plants, wind turbines.
Requirements: Chemical resistance, high accuracy, long-term stability.

7. Household and consumer electronics:
Applications: Barometric altitude measurement in smartphones, coffee machines, washing machines.
Requirements: Miniaturization, energy efficiency, cost-effective production.

Trends and developments in the field of pressure sensors:

• MEMS technology: miniaturized, integrated sensors for portable devices, smartphones and wearables.
• IoT integration: Networked pressure sensors with cloud connection and real-time monitoring.
• Energy harvesting: Sensors that can operate without an external power supply.
• Self-diagnostics: sensors that monitor their own function and calibration.

Pressure sensors are indispensable components in a variety of technical systems. The choice of a suitable sensor type depends heavily on the application - in particular the pressure range, medium, environmental conditions and measuring accuracy. Whether for safety-critical industrial systems, precise medical measurements or smart consumer products - modern pressure sensors enable reliable and automated detection of physical conditions.

Below you will find an overview of the most important criteria that you should pay attention to when purchasing pressure sensors:

When purchasing pressure sensors, it is crucial to take a systematic approach in order to procure reliable, precise and economically viable solutions in the long term.

• The first thing to clarify is what type of pressure is to be measured:
• Relative pressure against ambient pressure: Common in hydraulics, pneumatics and mechanical engineering.
• Absolute pressure against vacuum: Important for height measurement, weather stations or vacuum technology processes.
• Differential pressure between two points: Particularly relevant for filter monitoring, flow measurements or clean room technology.
• The choice directly influences the sensor architecture and calibration.
• The sensor must fully cover the expected pressure range, but at the same time be sensitive enough to resolve even small pressure changes.
• A measuring range that is too large reduces accuracy. A measuring range that is too small can lead to overloading and damage.
• The desired units (bar, psi, Pa, etc.) and whether high accuracy is required, e.g. < 0.1 % FS, are also decisive.
• The medium with which the sensor comes into contact - whether air, oil, water, chemicals or gases - largely determines the choice of material.
• Special diaphragm materials (e.g. Hastelloy, ceramic, stainless steel) are required for aggressive media.
• Biocompatible and hygienic materials must be used for medical or food applications.
• The environment in which the sensor is used influences the selection and design:
• Temperature range: sensors must also work reliably in cold or hot conditions.
• Vibration and shock: Important in vehicles, machines and mobile devices.
• Moisture, dust, chemicals: Protection classes e.g. IP67, IP69K are mandatory in harsh environments.
• Depending on the industry, certain standards and approvals are essential:
• ATEX / IECEx: For explosion-protected zones.
• FDA / EHEDG: For hygiene applications.
• CE / RoHS / REACH: For market access in Europe.
• ISO 9001, ISO 17025: For traceability and quality management.
• Depending on the application, high accuracy and long-term stability are required.
• Important factors are: Zero point stability, temperature drift, repeatability, long-term drift.
• For critical processes, e.g. in medical technology or aviation, particularly precise and stable sensor technology is crucial.
• Depending on the measurement and control system, the sensor signal must be compatible:
• Analog signals e.g. 0-10 V, 4-20 mA are robust, widely used in industrial environments.
• Digital interfaces e.g. I²C, SPI, CAN, Modbus, IO-Link are ideal for precise, noise-free data transmission.
• Smart sensors with built-in diagnostics, calibration or bus integration are becoming increasingly important in the context of Industry 4.0 and IoT.
• The mechanical interface of the sensor (thread, flange, plug-in connection) must match the application.
• Space conditions: Miniature sensors are in demand in confined installation situations.
• Ease of installation: Fast installation reduces maintenance and set-up time.
• Hygienic design: In the food or pharmaceutical industry, sensors must be gap-free, free of dead space and easy to clean.
• Professional users must also consider operation over the service life:
• Calibratability: is the sensor easy to calibrate or traceable to ISO/DAkkS?
• Maintenance-free: Some sensors require regular maintenance or flushing.
• Service life: Long-term stable sensors reduce operating costs.
• In addition to the technical specification, the reliability of the supplier is also important:
• Availability: warehousing, short delivery times, long-term product maintenance.
• Documentation: Technical data sheets, 3D models, calibration certificates.
• Technical support: Quick help with questions, project consulting, training.
• Spare parts: Interchangeability, series compatibility.
• A more expensive sensor with higher reliability and lower maintenance requirements can be cheaper in the long term.

The purchase of pressure sensors requires a precise analysis of the technical requirements, the operating environment and the long-term cost-effectiveness. If you make a blanket decision based on price, you risk expensive failures or incorrect measurements. Close coordination with engineering, quality assurance and, if necessary, the sensor manufacturer is therefore recommended.

Pressure sensors can be obtained from various suppliers. Comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Pressure sensors from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.