Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? is there a difference? My intuitive answer will be: Yes! The initial term describes a section and the second its border. On second glance, however, I must conclude that both words ultimately express the same thing in relation to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by way of a lower and upper value, for example 0 ? 100 �C. Abuse defines an improvement. 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 typical designates two different specification characteristics. Accordingly, the temperature range describes the span where the instrument specifications must apply ? first and foremost, the accuracy. The temperature limit, alternatively, indicates the min/max values between which the instrument may be operated without damage. With this particular, the instrument specifications do not have to be honored at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes perfect sense from a technical perspective. This is often illustrated by the next exemplory case of a pressure sensor: The instrument is meant to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature selection of 0 ? 100 �C. At the same time, the sensor should never 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, 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 as a way to bring the error right down to an acceptable 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 applies to both ambient temperature and the medium temperature. It is also used 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 whether the normal user, without understanding of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably leads to the question of whether there is a better linguistic distinction. But, I must admit, the answer is outside my ?range?.
Note
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