Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? will there be a difference? My intuitive answer will be: Yes! The initial term describes a section and the next 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 instance 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 things, 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 where the instrument specifications must apply ? first of all, the accuracy. The temperature limit, however, indicates the min/max values between which the instrument could 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 point of view. This is often illustrated by the next example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature range of 0 ? 100 �C. At the same time, the sensor must not suffer any damage at ambient temperatures between -20 �C and 0 �C. In this range, however, it generally does not have to provide accurate measuring results, or even 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 specific measuring components, exhibit a comparatively large, often non-linear temperature error. Without further measures, a reliable pressure measurement would be impossible. Therefore, the manufacturer has to compensate for the temperature to be able to bring the error right down to a satisfactory level. From an economic perspective, 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 ambient temperature and the medium temperature. It is also used for other specification characteristics, for instance overpressure.
Conclusion
Yes, you will find a difference between range and limit in the normative world of pressure sensor technology. And yes, it creates technical sense. However, I doubt whether the normal user, without understanding of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably results in the question of whether there is a better linguistic distinction. But, I have to admit, the solution is outside my ?range?.
Note
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