Setra Blog

Converting mA to voltage is common in HVAC when working with pressure transducers. Terminology to keep in mind includes:

• 1 mA = 0.001 AMP (short for amperes)
• Amps are referred to as CURRENT
• Resistor values are in OHMS (Ω is the symbol for ohms)
• VOLTAGE is the result of passing amps through a resistor

The field of meteorology relies on barometric pressure sensors to monitor changes in atmospheric pressure. Even U.S. Government organizations like the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Data Buoy Center depend on barometric sensors. These demanding applications require dynamic response and high-performance calibration as well as accuracy, stability, and low thermal error.

While changes in barometric pressure aren’t immediately obvious to human perception (except when your ears pop while hiking up a mountain), its effects can manifest themselves in many other ways. This is especially true in sensitive industrial and laboratory settings.

Simply put, barometric pressure is the measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere, specifically the measurement of the weight exerted by air molecules at a given point on Earth. Barometric pressure changes constantly and is always different depending on where the reading takes place.

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.

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?

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.

Newly Added Restricted Products Under RoHS2 Affects Manufacturing

In 2013, RoHS2 was created by the European Union legislation, nearly a decade after the original RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) was implemented.  RoHS2 is merely an evolution of RoHS1 that provides greater clarity on the legal scope of products that should adhere to the hazardous material guidelines. The combination of

Total Error Band (TEB) is a measurement of worst case error; it is the most comprehensive and concise measurement of a sensors true accuracy over a compensated temperature range.  TEB is extremely important to know when trying to determine how well a sensor will work within a particular design system. By calculating TEB you'll be able to understand the different possibilities for error. Formulating TEB can be tricky if you don't have the right inputs readily available.