Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? is there a difference? My intuitive answer would be: Yes! The initial term describes a section and the second its border. On second glance, however, I have to conclude that both words ultimately express a similar thing in relation to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by 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 described is IEC 61987. This deals, among other activities, with the properties of fluid sensors, which also include pressure sensors. With ?range? and ?limit?, Polarizing . Accordingly, the temperature range describes the span in which the instrument specifications must apply ? first and foremost, the accuracy. The temperature limit, alternatively, indicates the min/max values between that your instrument may be operated without damage. With this particular, the instrument specifications don’t need to be honored at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes sense from a technical perspective. This can be illustrated by the next example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to deliver solid measured values at an ambient temperature selection of 0 ? 100 �C. Simultaneously, the sensor should never 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 will be impossible. Therefore, the manufacturer must compensate for the temperature to be able to bring the error right down to an acceptable level. From an economic viewpoint, the limitation to a selected temperature range is practical, or is even essential.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit applies to both the ambient temperature and the medium temperature. It is also used for other specification characteristics, for example 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 exists a better linguistic distinction. But, I have to admit, the answer is outside my ?range?.
Note
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