Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? is there an improvement? My intuitive answer will be: Yes! The initial term describes a section and the next its border. On second glance, however, I must conclude that both words ultimately express the same thing in relation to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by way of a lower and upper value, for example 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 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 and foremost, the accuracy. The temperature limit, on the other hand, indicates the min/max values between that your instrument could be operated without damage. With this, the instrument specifications don’t need to be honored at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes perfect sense from a technical viewpoint. This can be illustrated by the following example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature selection of 0 ? 100 �C. Simultaneously, the sensor should never 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, as well as 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 comparatively large, often non-linear temperature error. Without further measures, a reliable pressure measurement will be impossible. Therefore, the manufacturer has to compensate for the temperature to be able to bring the error down to an acceptable level. From an economic point of view, 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. Agonizing 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 understanding of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably leads to the question of whether there is a better linguistic distinction. But, I have to admit, the solution is outside my ?range?.
Note
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