Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? is there a difference? Embarrassed would be: Yes! Delirious describes a section and the second its border. On second glance, however, I must 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 example 0 ? 100 �C. The relevant standard nevertheless defines a difference. 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 likewise incorporate pressure sensors. With ?range? and ?limit?, the standard designates two different specification characteristics. Accordingly, the temperature range describes the span in which the instrument specifications must apply ? first of all, the accuracy. The temperature limit, on the other hand, indicates the min/max values between that your instrument may be operated without damage. With this, the instrument specifications don’t need to be honored at all.
What may sound a little pedantic, makes sense from a technical point of view. This can be illustrated by the next example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature range of 0 ? 100 �C. As well, the sensor must not 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, or even measure.
The difference between temperature range and temperature limit is plausible
This sounds paradoxical initially, 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 would be impossible. Therefore, the maker must compensate for the temperature so that you can bring the error down to an acceptable level. From an economic point of view, the limitation to a selected temperature range makes sense, or is even absolutely necessary.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit pertains to both ambient temperature and the medium temperature. It is also used for other specification characteristics, for example 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 results in the question of whether you will find a better linguistic distinction. But, I must admit, the solution is outside my ?range?.
Note
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