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What is the difference between a pressure transducer and a transmitter

When browsing through pressure measurement products you will notice that some of the products are called pressure transducers and others are called pressure transmitters.

Pressure TransducerA pressure transducer is any device that fundamentally converts an applied pressure into an electrical signal. There have been many different types of pressure transducer developed over the years such as bonded foil, thick film, thin film, variable capacitance, LVDT & semiconductor strain gauge to name just a few. All of these sensing technologies are used to convert a pressure into a measurable electrical signal.

Since the transducer core signal varies significantly from one device to another it is often necessary to add some electronic compensation to trim the zero & span offsets and reduce thermal sensitivity over the operating temperature range.

Featured millivolt output pressure transducer products

  • TPF Flush Diaphragm Strain Gauge Pressure Sensor Flush Diaphragm Millivolt Output Pressure Transducers - Flush diaphragm pressure sensors with millivolt output signals are designed to measure the pressure of high-viscosity liquids, slurries, and pastes, where a standard pressure connection would become clogged or blocked.
  • TM Silicon Strain Gauge Pressure Transducer - Passive compensated pressure transducer with a four arm semiconductor Wheatstone bridge circuit which produces a 100 millivolt with a 10 volt excitation.

Some pressure transducers are manufactured without any compensation circuitry which are called pressure transducer capsules, modules or headers. These pressure transducer elements and then integrated with electronics by instrument manufacturers to compensate the pressure transducer, and bring the output signal within the design parameters required by the instrumentation specification.

Due to the weak signal generated by the pressure transducer, it is only used over relatively short distances, such as inside a test laboratory or inside some instrumentation. When you want to run the electrical output signal over greater distances, some additional electronics is required to boost the signal. This is when it is necessary to add an amplifier to a pressure transducer to transmit the signal. A pressure transducer which has been combined with an output signal amplifier is typically called a pressure transmitter.

Featured amplified voltage signal pressure transducer products

  • 0-10 Volts Output Pressure Transducers - 0 to 10 volts output pressure transducers with amplified signal conditioning electronics and 3 or 4 wire configuration for generating a 0-10Vdc analog signal which corresponds to a specified pressure range.
  • DPS Low Differential Pressure Transmitter DPS Low Differential Pressure Transmitter - Ultra low differential pressure transmitter for HVAC applications with 4-20mA current loop or amplified voltage output signal in pressure ranges from 0.1 mb up to 1 bar differential.

Pressure TransmitterMany types of amplified signals have been developed over the years as electronics have advanced and power considerations have changed, the most common type are 4-20mA current loop pressure transmitters and amplified voltage output pressure transducers.

Despite the distinguishing technical differences between a pressure transducer and a pressure transmitter, both have become synonymous with describing any type of pressure sensor, and are often interchanged by different manufacturers.  So from a marketing and product naming point of view there is no common distinction between the two types of pressure sensor.

Featured amplified current signal pressure transducer products

  • ATEX Approved Pressure Transmitters - Choose certified ATEX pressure transmitters for Zone 0, 1, and 2 environments. Essential for preventing ignition in refineries, chemical plants, and gas pipelines.
  • DS200P Sanitary Low Range Pressure Gauge, Switch and Sensor - All in one electronic switch, gauge and sensor designed specifically for use in the food, drink and biomedical industry for measuring process pressures.

Related Help Guides

  • Determining the hydrostatic pressure range for a tank level sensor
  • How to get a 10 volt signal from a 4-20mA output pressure sensor
  • How to Connect a 4-20mA Current Loop Pressure Transmitter
  • Symptons and Causes of Damage to Pressure Transducer Diaphragms
  • Pressure Sensor Accuracy Specifications
  • What is difference between working, burst and over pressure
  • Measuring vacuum as a negative gauge pressure using a dp sensor
  • Measuring liquid level in a tank using a dp sensor
  • Measuring density of a liquid using a dp sensor
  • Pressure Sensor Technology Comparative Guide

Related Technical Terms

  • Ceramic Pressure Sensors
  • Digital Compensation
  • Dry Cell
  • Dry/Dry
  • HART®
  • Isolation Diaphragm
  • LVDT – Linear Variable Differential Transformer
  • Pressure Sensors
  • SOI – Silicon on Insulator
  • Stainless Steel Pressure Sensors
  • Static Line Pressure
  • Wet/Dry
  • Wet/Wet

Related Online Tools

  • Pressure Transmitter 4-20mA Current Output Calculator
  • Pressure Sensor Calculator
  • DP Flow Transmitter Output Calculator
  • Pressure Transducer Millivolt (mV) Output Calculator
  • Pressure Transducer 0-10V Voltage Output Calculator
  • Pressure Transducer 0-5V Voltage Output Calculator
  • Pressure Transducer 1-5V Voltage Output Calculator
  • Pressure Transducer 0.5-4.5V Voltage Output Calculator
  • Pressure Sensing Errors Calculator
  • Pressure Transmitter 0-20mA Current Output Calculator

Related Product and Application Guides

  • ASL Low Cost Miniature Pressure Transducer Pressure Transducers

Related Application Questions and Answers

  • 16 bar, 200°C steam pressure transmitter and gauge
  • Pass/Fail timed 500 kPa pressure leak test software and sensor
  • Air Replacement Plant (ARP) 100 mm H2O differential pressure transmitter
  • Ex rated ambient pressure sensor with 800-1100 mbar range
  • 20 bar absolute steam pressure transducer
  • 5 bar water irrigation pressure transducer with 0 to 5 volt output
  • 180 degC pressure sensor for saturated steam up to 10 bar
  • 300 foot sea depth waterproof pressure sensor with 0-5V signal
  • Mechanical press 1000 bar pressure sensor and panel indicator
  • Argon gas compatible pressure sensor for measuring up to 100 mbar
  • High reading rate for measuring dynamic pressures to -200psf
  • 1013 to 1400 mbar barometric pressure transmitter & readout

Contact us about this What is the difference between a pressure transducer and a transmitter page to request more information, or to discuss your application requirements.

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Wirelessly Measure & Log 4-20mA

Use this battery powered wireless 4-20mA wireless transmitter to transmit readings to a receiver connected to USB, RS485, RS232, cellular network or analog output

Use this battery powered 4-20mA wireless transmitter to transmit readings to a receiver connected to USB, RS485, RS232, cellular network or analog output

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Help Guides

  • Determining the hydrostatic pressure range for a tank level sensor
  • How to get a 10 volt signal from a 4-20mA output pressure sensor
  • Measuring vacuum with negative gauge or absolute ranges
  • Pressure Sensor Accuracy Specifications
  • Measuring liquid level in a sealed tank with a hydrostatic pressure sensor
  • What is the difference between gauge and absolute pressure measurement
  • Measuring the difference in air pressure between rooms
  • Measurement Accuracy
  • Symptons and Causes of Damage to Pressure Transducer Diaphragms
  • How to Connect a 4-20mA Current Loop Pressure Transmitter
  • Difference between vented and non-vented water level measurement
  • Determining water tank volume using hydrostatic pressure
  • What is difference between working, burst and over pressure
  • Process Connections
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of using a 4 to 20 mA Signal
  • Not reading zero when pressure is vented to atmosphere
  • Measuring the volume of liquid in a horizontal cylinder tank
  • Determining calibration error of Bourdon tube pressure gauge
  • What is the difference between zero offset and zero drift?
  • Why use 4-20mA and 3-15 psi rather than 0-20mA & 0-15psi
  • How do you measure the volume of a liquid using pressure
  • What is the difference between vacuum and absolute pressure
  • What does negative and positive gauge pressure mean
  • Measuring negative pressure using a positive differential pressure range
  • Measuring vacuum as a negative gauge pressure using a dp sensor
  • Measuring liquid level in a tank using a dp sensor
  • Measuring density of a liquid using a dp sensor
  • Pressure Sensor Technology Comparative Guide

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