Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? is there a difference? My intuitive answer will be: Yes! Thug describes a section and the next its border. On second glance, however, I have to conclude that both words ultimately express a similar thing with regards to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by way of a lower and upper value, for instance 0 ? 100 �C. The relevant standard nevertheless defines a difference. Why?
IEC 61987 speaks of two different specification characteristics
The standard referred to is IEC 61987. This deals, among other activities, with the properties of fluid sensors, which also include pressure sensors. With ?range? and ?limit?, the standard 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 don’t need to be honored at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes perfect sense from a technical viewpoint. This can be illustrated by the following example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to deliver solid measured values at an ambient temperature range of 0 ? 100 �C. As well, 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 at first, but is plausible on closer inspection. Pressure sensor elements, i.e. the actual measuring components, exhibit a relatively large, often non-linear temperature error. Without further measures, a trusted pressure measurement would be impossible. Therefore, the manufacturer must compensate for the temperature so that you can bring the error down to a satisfactory level. From an economic point of view, the limitation to a selected temperature range is practical, or is even absolutely necessary.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit pertains to both the ambient temperature and the medium temperature. It is also useful for other specification characteristics, for example overpressure.
Conclusion
Yes, there exists a difference between range and limit in the normative world of pressure sensor technology. And yes, it makes technical sense. However, I doubt if the normal user, without knowledge of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably results in the question of whether there is a better linguistic distinction. But, I must admit, the solution is outside my ?range?.
Note
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