Pressure sensors are used to measure pressure; the majority of the time they measure the pressure, or force of gases and liquids. Pressure is usually provided to gases and liquids as a way to prevent them from increasing. Pressure sensors help to measure this and warn when there is more or less pressure than there should be.

Pressure sensors have many different purposes in a lot of different industries. They can be used to measure altitude, speeds and even levels of certain materials. The technology involved in the making of a pressure sensor varies from model to model and brand to brand. However, you can be certain that if you need detailed readings and information then the more you are willing to pay for a pressure sensor the more information it will be able to produce.

There are five different types of pressure sensors available and in order to distinguish between them you must know the units that it measures in and how much it has the capacity to measure. The five types of sensors are gauge, absolute, differential, vacuum and sealed. Absolute pressure sensors are used to measure things such as atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure is 0 PSI and this is the value of perfect vacuum pressure. Gauge pressure sensors are used to test the pressure of tyres on vehicles. Differential pressure sensors are used to find the difference between more than two points of pressure. Sealed pressure sensors gauge pressure’s relation to sea level pressure. Pressure that measure less than 0 PSI is measured by a vacuum pressure sensor.

Fibre optic sensors and mechanical deflection are just a couple of the materials that are needed in order to make a pressure sensor. There are many products that require the use of a pressure sensor and quartz is the material that is most commonly used to make them.

Pressure sensors are mainly used to collect data or to warn of pressure changes although some can do much more. They are generally used to collect a lot of data in one – such as the speed and amount of pressure travelling through one space – which can then be analysed by professionals.

You can find pressure sensors in many everyday items such as car alarms – they sound when they pressure on doors or windows etc. becomes too much for a normal entry – and traffic cameras which use the sensor to detect when someone is speeding. Pressure sensors are also within your car’s engine, these are what makes the light come on to tell you you’re running low on fuel.

Joe Barry writes articles on pressure sensors and other instruments on behalf of supplier www.cacheuk.com.