Factors To Be Considered While Differentiating $40 and $400 Pressure Transmitters

Essential Factors To Be Considered While Purchasing a Pressure Transmitter

• Materials: This is one of the important factors that play a key role in the pricing. The accuracy and quality result depends on the type of material used in the pressure transmitters. The high-quality pressure sensors are made from materials like various steel grades, which helps ensure their durability and long-term performance. However, small value transmitters are made from cheaper materials, which may not survive the abusive environments in the process industry. Hence, they may not assure accuracy and results as their expensive counterparts. 
• Configuration: It is very important to configure the pressure transmitter correctly, as the process outcomes are based on it. Making configurable sensors adds extensive cost, also increases inventory in terms of variety and volume. This process increases manufacturing complexity because you need to build the same product in various ways. Thus, $400 pressure transmitter offers a variety of options than a $40 pressure transmitter.
• Accuracy and Precision: These two things are not the same, however, they are frequently related. The term accuracy is related to the ability of the pressure-sensing device to match the true value or expected value. However, the term precision depicts the capability of the sensor to detect slight changes in the readings. When it comes to expensive transmitters, the error margin is set to 0.25% across the full scale. For example, if your pressure transmitter is designed for 100 psi, the sensor can have an error margin of 0.25 psi. However, in the cheaper transmitters, this error margin is set to 1% across the full scale. Hence, the error band becomes 4 times larger than the expensive ones. Also, you might notice other accuracy issues. When it comes to $40 pressure transmitter, the error margin is set to 1% for full scale which is four-time larger.
• Stability: Most pressure transmitters experience drift. This is caused by the bonded layers, which attach the sensors to the diaphragm. The output of the sensor may drift, once these layers start settling over the time. These drifts can be easily fixed during the calibration. $40 transmitter drifts more than $400 transmitter. Drifts can be reduced by using curing process, which involves pressuring of the sensors across the various temperature range.