Differential Pressure Sensor

A differential pressure sensor is a component of an electronic device that can compute the difference between two points of pressure in a system. In other words, the shift in pressure between two different locations is compared and created into electric or digital signal outputs vs simply measuring pressure at one location.

Therefore, they can be utilized to monitor flow rates, conditions of filters and the overall performance of a system.

Differential pressure sensors use various types of sensing elements such as piezoresistive, capacitive and strain-gage based technologies. The facial area on the sensor includes both a high-pressure input port (P1) and a low-pressure input port (P2). The resultant signal generated by the sensor is based on the difference between P1 and P2 and is termed as differential pressure or ∆P.

For example, when measuring very low pressure differentials, differential pressure sensors are designed to have high accuracy, stability and repeatability. Many of the latest homemade differential pressure sensors are also compact, durable and energy efficient. Often times, they provide real time data and can be incorporated into IoT, as well as utilize automation systems.

Differential pressure sensors have found applications in a number of areas including: HVAC systems, industrial process controls, medical instrumentation and monitoring of filtration processes; measuring flow via liquids; and environmental applications where measurement comparisons between points on pressure to maintain efficiency, safety and reliability.