Setra Blog

What is Water Hammer?

Water hammer is shock wave produced by the sudden stoppage or reduction of a fluid flow. This can cause sudden rises in pressure and damage instrumentation. In tank level measurement applications, high pressures can be generated by the sudden closure of a valve on an outlet line. Although it might seem to be a consistent flow, the water inside pipes tumbles as it moves through.

Calibration is important regardless of what type of pressure you are monitoring.

Calibration is especially significant for low pressure requirements in critical applications such as vivariums, pharmaceutical manufacturing, cleanrooms and hospital isolation rooms. Other applications for low pressure include medical instrumentation, environmental pollution control, boiler combustion efficiency, air flow and research and development test stands.  

Barometric altimeters calculate and display altitude by measuring the local barometric pressure and converting that measurement into altitude. This conversion is done using the Standard Atmosphere Table, an international standard representing the barometric pressure at various altitudes on a so-called "standard day" which assumes a consistent non-linear relationship between altitude and pressure.

Transducers are used across many applications to provide accurate, real-time data of how a system is working. Calibration is critical to maintaining a pressure transducer’s accuracy and it is not a one-time process. All pressure transducers used in critical applications should be regularly calibrated to maintain high performance. If a transducer drifts out of its specified pressure range, it can lead to false pressure readings causing decreased equipment performance and possible safety concerns. Calibration allows the user to be completely confident that their transducers are correctly performing and measuring the required pressure range accurately.

So, how often should you calibrate a pressure transducer? It is a common question we get asked all the time. Pressure transducers should be calibrated as often as needed in order to, maintain the necessary accuracy for the application. The amount of calibration required by the transducer can vary based on factors, such as the application and the transducer’s stability

After clarifying the different types of pressure measurements and the difference between absolute and gauge, it is time to expand and discuss the two types of gauge pressure; vented gauge and sealed gauge reference pressure.

1. Pressure

The first and most important consideration is pressure. A number of questions must be answered to ensure the correct transducer is selected. What is the pressure range that the transducer will measure? What is the maximum pressure the transducer will encounter? What is the potential for over pressure in the system?

When installing a pressure transducer system, selecting a power supply may not be one of the first things that comes to your mind. Since a single power supply can be used to power multiple pressure transducers, many regard it as a non-vital task. Nonetheless, it is essential to have the proper configurations between the power source and devices in order for all components to communicate properly and to avoid receiving inaccurate data. Here are some of the best practices we found for using a single power supply to power multiple devices.

Pressure transducers today are more rugged and reliable than ever. Made of stainless steel construction, they provide abundant overpressure protection, improved total error band, and offer negligible orientation and vibration effects. They are ideal for long-term use even in harsh environments of extreme temperature, humidity, and vibration.

The accuracy of differential pressure transducers has greatly improved to provide better solutions for demanding applications. This article discusses why accuracy is an important consideration when selecting a pressure transducer for low-differential, critical pressure applications.

Can’t handle the pressure?

Can you believe that pressure transducers are not always able to handle high pressure? Overpressure, or proof pressure, is a major concern for engineers and OEM designers when assembling machinery and selecting a pressure transducer. Overpressure refers to the maximum pressure value a transducer can withstand without affecting performance; it can also refer to a situation where the pressure value exceeds the limits. Although it is not ideal, pressure transducers can withstand occasional pressures up to their overpressure rating, eventually returning to their natural state. However, pressures that reach burst pressure, the maximum pressure that may be applied to the positive pressure port without physically damaging the internal sensing component, can rupture the diaphragm and cause leakage. Pressures above overpressure but below burst pressure can result in permanent diaphragm deformation, causing an output shift affecting operational performance or accuracy readings.