High pressure transmitters with 4 to 20 mA current output for measuring hydraulic pressure greater than 100 bar (1500 psi) with a range of accuracies, electrical interfaces and pressure connectors. High pressure transmitters are used to measure hydraulic pressures on process control & automation equipment.
TPFADA Flush Diaphragm Pressure Transmitter
LEO3 Current or Digital Output Pressure Gauge
ATM/T Pressure and Temperature Dual Output Transmitter
DMP334 Hydraulic Pressure Transducer for Very High Pressures
TPSA Precision High Pressure Transducer
DMP304 Ultra High Range Hydraulic Pressure Transducer
35X HTC High Temperature Digital Pressure Sensor (< 300 degC)
KX ATEX Intrinsically Safe SIL2 Approved Pressure Sensor
DMP 335 All Welded Stainless Steel Diaphragm Pressure Sensor- KX ATEX Non-Sparking (Ex nA) SIL2 Approved Pressure Sensor
TPHADA Ultra High Range Pressure Sensor
KH Mobile Hydraulics Pressure Sensor
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- 30000 psi water and cutting oil pressure transmitter
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- 10 ksi g range 4-20mA out high pressure sensor for pumps and actuators bench test rig use
Why do my high pressure transmitters keep failing?
Not all pressure transmitters use the same sensing technology and some are more suited to measuring high pressures than others. It is high pressure spikes that are the most common cause of pressure transmitter failure and they will punch or rip a hole in a diaphragm if the right precautions are not implemented.
Cause of damage
High pressure spikes
High pressure spikes are typically generated in hydraulic systems where fluids are flowing under high pressure. It is the sudden change in momentum of the fluid in the system or the release of stored pressure from valves opening and closing that are the main cause of sudden over-pressure.
The high pressure surges generate a tremendous amount of energy over a very short time period which can be very difficult to detect and if they are allowed to reach a diaphragm that is not adequately protected they can cause irreparable damage.
Cavitation
Another cause of high range pressure transmitter failure is cavitations, which is the sudden collapse of a void generated by trapped air or fluid displacement which send out shockwaves. These resulting shockwaves are a risk to any thin material such as a diaphragm that happens to be within range.
Ways to protect from failure
If you are experiencing an unusual number of high pressure transmitter failures then you may want to try one of these methods to resolve the problem.
Use a pressure sensor which has a robust sensing technology
A high range pressure transmitter where the sensing diaphragm is in direct contact with the fluid media have relatively thick diaphragms which offer more protection against shockwaves caused by cavitations or pressure surges. However they are still vulnerable to low frequency over-pressure which is not so easily dissipated or absorbed unless physical mechanical stops are located behind the diaphragm to prevent it from being overstressed.
Install overpressure protection between a vulnerable pressure transmitter and the source of surge pressures
The most vulnerable pressure sensor technology to hydraulic pressure spikes are those that have a oil filling between a very thin isolation membrane and the sensing diaphragm. Pressure transmitters that use this type of technology can be protected by fitting a snubber to the pressure port which will dissipate any shockwaves before they reach the thin isolation membrane.
Snubbers have either sintered porous filters or small bore restrictions to dampen any pressure shocks or surges. The main disadvantages of using a snubber is that they slow down pressure measurement response and can become blocked by particles over time.
Re-locate the pressure transmitter to a position away from the source of pressure spikes.
Finding a location in the system which offers the lowest chance of over-pressure spikes can be as easy as positioning the pressure transmitter as far away as possible from bends or restrictions in the pipe work which are potential pressure spike hotspots.
But to truly understand the pressure spike behaviour of a hydraulic system it should be tested by fitting high dynamic response strain gauge output pressure transducers at different locations and examining the various operation modes with an oscilloscope or high sample rate data acquisition card.
Another method is to purposely fit a lower range pressure sensor and try it in different locations and examine the zero shift of the output signal after testing at each location. The location that generates the smallest zero shift is likely to be the best position for the pressure transmitter.