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 a similar 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 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 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, the instrument specifications don’t need to be adhered to at all.
What may sound a little pedantic, makes perfect sense from a technical point of view. This could be illustrated by the next exemplory case of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature selection of 0 ? 100 �C. Concurrently, 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 actual measuring components, exhibit a relatively large, often non-linear temperature error. Without further measures, a reliable pressure measurement will be impossible. Therefore, the maker must compensate for the temperature in order to bring the error 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 applies to both ambient temperature and the medium temperature. Additionally it is useful for other specification characteristics, for instance overpressure.
Conclusion
Yes, there exists a difference between range and limit in the normative world of pressure sensor technology. And yes, it creates technical sense. However, I doubt if the normal user, without knowledge of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably leads to 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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