Getting to Know Pressure Transmitters and How They Actually Work

What Exactly Is a Pressure Transmitter?

A pressure transmitter is the gadget that turns real-world pressure into something your control system can understand. It takes whatever is pushing on it—air, water, oil, gas—and spits out a clean electrical signal, usually 4–20 mA or a digital reading. Inside you’ve got three main parts: the sensing element that feels the pressure, the electronics that clean up and shape the signal, and the output stage that sends it down the wire.

The Big Four Types You’ll Run Into Gauge Pressure Transmitters

These measure how much pressure is above (or below) normal air pressure outside. Perfect for HVAC ducts, tire pressure checks, or anything open to the atmosphere.

Absolute Pressure Transmitters

They compare everything to a perfect vacuum. You see these in altitude sensors, vacuum pumps, weather stations—anywhere even a tiny bit of barometric change matters.

Differential Pressure Transmitters

These look at the difference between two points. Think flow meters with an orifice plate, filter clog detection, or tank level when the tank is sealed.

Sealed Pressure Transmitters

Almost like gauge but with a locked reference chamber. Great when you can’t vent to atmosphere—high-temp boilers, corrosive stuff, underwater gear.

How Each Type Actually Feels Pressure Strain Gauge Style

A thin diaphragm bends. Tiny resistors glued to it change resistance when it moves. Electronics turn that tiny change into a usable signal. Old-school but rock solid.

Capacitive Style

Two plates make a capacitor. Pressure pushes one plate closer or farther. Change in capacitance = change in pressure. Super accurate and stable over years.

Piezoelectric Style

Certain crystals spit out voltage when you squeeze them. Perfect for super-fast changes—engine testing, blast waves. Not great for steady pressure.

Resonant Wire / Silicon Resonator

A tiny wire or silicon beam vibrates. Pressure changes its tension, which shifts the buzz frequency. Frequency is crazy accurate and drifts almost zero over time.

What’s This “Pressure Control board for Transmitter” Everyone Talks About?

It’s the brain. The raw sensor might only give a few millivolts. The pressure control board for transmitter amps it up, filters noise, straightens the curve, and adds temperature fixes so the reading stays true from -40 °C to +85 °C. It also turns everything into 4–20 mA, HART, Modbus—whatever your PLC wants.

Why the Pressure Transmitter Board Is the Real Hero for Accuracy

• Kills electrical noise before it reaches the controller
• Watches a temperature sensor and tweaks the output so heat or cold doesn’t lie to you
• Lets you zero or span the unit with a couple button pushes

Meet ICwalk’s H3051 Series – The Smart Board That Just Works

We built the H3051 series intelligent pressure transmitter boards for people who need rock-solid readings in real factories.

H3051 series intelligent pressure transmitters are specifically designed for high-performance diffused silicon, single-crystal silicon and other bridge-resistance pressure sensors based on the HART protocol. Works with PT100, magnetic flap, sapphire, sputtered film—pretty much any sensor you throw at it.

H3051 series pressure transmitters are widely used in automatic control program like Water resources and hydropower, railway, building automation, aerospace, military project, petrochemical, electronic, marine etc. Temperature compensation is nuts—up to 11 temperature points with 15 pressure points each. You get dead-on readings no matter if it’s freezing or roasting.

How We Ensure Long-Term Stability in Our Products?

• Top-grade PCB that barely drifts when it gets hot
• Full conformal coating so humidity and dust can’t touch the parts
• Beefy TVS diodes and magnetic beads to laugh at electrical spikes
• EEPROM with backup—power glitch? It remembers everything Protected by conformal coating, which can effectively prevent the damage to the electronic components caused by the external environment.

Applications of Various Pressure Transmitters Across Industries

Where Are These Devices Commonly Used Today?

Process Industry Applications (Oil & Gas, Chemical)

Differential pressure transmitters are used here to monitor flow across pipelines using orifice plates or venturi tubes. They help ensure accurate flow measurement and early detection of blockages or leaks.

HVAC and Building Automation Systems

Gauge pressure transmitters are vital components in HVAC systems where they regulate airflow by monitoring duct pressures to maintain indoor air quality efficiently.

Water Treatment Plants

Absolute pressure transmitters are employed in filtration units to monitor vacuum levels during water purification processes where precise pressure control is crucial.

FAQ

Q: Can the H3051 series board be integrated into third-party sensors?

A: Yes, our H3051 boards support standard input interfaces allowing easy integration with bridge-resistance sensors and other compatible third-party components.

Q: Does ICwalk offer customization options for its transmitter boards?

A: Absolutely. We’ve delivered 200+ customized solutions for 800+ manufacturers, supporting a wide range of sensors (pressure, temperature, level, flow). Users can configure range, output type (analog/digital), housing, and even protocol compatibility based on their specific needs.

Q: How does the H3051 series board handle harsh environments?

A: Our boards are built for resilience. Equipped with anti-interference devices such as high-power TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressor) and magnetic beads internally, effectively suppressing various interferences on site. Conformal coating protects against moisture and dust while EMC shielding ensures stable operation even under strong electromagnetic fields.

Q: What is the difference between gauge and absolute pressure transmitters?

A: Gauge transmitters measure against atmospheric pressure; absolute ones measure against a vacuum reference—making them suitable for different application needs.

Q: How do I choose the right type of pressure transmitter for my system?

A: Consider factors like required accuracy, environmental conditions, type of media measured (liquid/gas), range, and whether differential measurement is needed.

Q: Why is temperature compensation important in pressure transmitters?

A: Temperature fluctuations can affect sensor readings; compensation ensures consistent accuracy across varying operating temperatures.