Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? will there be an improvement? My intuitive answer would be: Yes! Slave describes a section and the second its border. On second glance, however, I have to conclude that both words ultimately express the same thing with regards to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by a lower and upper value, for example 0 ? 100 �C. The relevant standard nevertheless defines an improvement. Why?
IEC 61987 speaks of two different specification characteristics
The standard described is IEC 61987. This deals, among other activities, with the properties of fluid sensors, which also include pressure sensors. With ?range? and ?limit?, the typical designates two different specification characteristics. Accordingly, the temperature range describes the span in which the instrument specifications must apply ? first of all, the accuracy. The temperature limit, however, indicates the min/max values between which the instrument may be operated without damage. With this, the instrument specifications do not have to be adhered to at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes perfect sense from a technical viewpoint. This is often illustrated by the following example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature selection of 0 ? 100 �C. Concurrently, the sensor must not suffer any damage at ambient temperatures between -20 �C and 0 �C. In this range, however, it generally does not need to provide accurate measuring results, as well as measure.
The difference between temperature range and temperature limit is plausible
This sounds paradoxical initially, but is plausible on closer inspection. Pressure sensor elements, i.e. the specific measuring components, exhibit a relatively large, often non-linear temperature error. Without further measures, a trusted pressure measurement would be impossible. Therefore, the maker must compensate for the temperature to be able to bring the error down to an acceptable level. From an economic viewpoint, the limitation to a selected temperature range makes sense, or is even absolutely necessary.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit pertains to both ambient temperature and the medium temperature. Additionally it is useful for other specification characteristics, for instance overpressure.
Conclusion
Yes, there is a difference between range and limit in the normative world of pressure sensor technology. And yes, it creates technical sense. However, I doubt if the normal user, without understanding of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably leads to the question of whether there exists a better linguistic distinction. But, I must admit, the solution is outside my ?range?.
Note
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