Compensating for Temperature Effects in Pressure Sensors

Temperature variations can cause issues for any physical measurement system, including pressure sensors. Thermally induced errors can hinder sensors’ overall functionality, specifically reliability and accuracy.

Image Credit: Superior Sensor Technology

Environmental temperature fluctuations can cause sensor output variations separate from measured pressure. A sensor’s thermal sensitivity dictates the severity of these output errors, with higher sensitivities resulting in more significant errors.

Fortunately, several methods compensate for pressure sensors’ thermal challenges. This article examines how temperature impacts pressure sensors and outlines techniques for offsetting these effects.

The Impact of Temperature on Pressure Sensors

Knowing how temperature affects pressure sensors is pivotal for accurate measurements.

Material Expansion

Temperature variations can cause materials within the sensor to contract or expand, resulting in mechanical alterations that can disrupt the sensor’s structure and adversely affect its output signal.

A sensor may expand if subjected to high temperatures, changing the space between sensor components and altering the measured pressure. This effect is especially problematic because gap size is critical in capacitive pressure sensors.

Resistance Changes

Several pressure sensor types function utilizing resistive elements. Temperature changes can alter these elements’ resistance, causing inaccurate readings.

Temperature increases may cause the resistive elements to become more resistant, prompting the sensor to register a higher pressure than is present. This issue is particularly significant when pressure must be measured accurately across a wide temperature range.

Zero Drift

Temperature alterations can cause the sensor’s baseline—or zero reading—to drift, leading to measurement inaccuracies. The sensor may report different pressures from the actual value, even when no pressure is applied.

Zero drift is widespread when employing pressure transducers in settings with alternating pressures.

Compensation Techniques

Several compensation strategies can be employed to mitigate the impact of temperature on pressure sensors.

Temperature Compensation Algorithms

Advanced pressure sensors may feature built-in algorithms that modify sensor output based on measured temperature. These algorithms can compensate for temperature-induced errors, delivering accurate readings irrespective of temperature changes.

Integrated Temperature Sensors

Pressure sensors may include integrated temperature sensors that monitor environmental conditions continuously and help maintain accuracy across varying temperatures by adjusting real-time pressure readings.

This is essential in ensuring sensors reliably measure pressure within a compensated temperature range.

Material Selection

Using materials with stable electrical properties and minimal thermal expansion over a wide temperature range can considerably reduce the effect of temperature changes. These materials maintain resistive properties and structural integrity, ensuring consistent sensor performance even when exposed to an applied force.

Calibration

To maintain accuracy, pressure sensors must be routinely calibrated at different temperatures. Adjusting the sensors’ output to account for temperature-related drift helps ensure reliable measurements across various conditions.

Advanced Sensor Technologies

Advanced sensor technologies, like those implemented in Superior Sensor Technologies’ ND Series, provide compensated operating temperatures from -20 °C to 85 °C.

These sensors ensure high stability and accuracy across various temperatures and incorporate innovative features, including Multi-Range technologyTM, integrated closed-loop control, and advanced digital filtering to improve reliability and performance in different thermal environments​.

ND Series with extended temperature range.

ND Series with extended temperature range. Image Credit: Superior Sensor Technology

Reinforce Pressure Sensors Using Compensation Techniques

Temperature alterations can affect pressure sensor performance, adversely impacting reliability. Advanced pressure sensors with appropriate compensation techniques, such as temperature compensation algorithms, integrated temperature sensors, proper material selection, routine calibration, and advanced sensor technologies, can help mitigate these effects.

With the right technology, pressure sensors can continue providing precise and reliable pressure measurements across various temperatures, maintaining optimal performance in diverse applications.

Acknowledgments

Produced from materials originally authored by Superior Sensor Technology.

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This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by Superior Sensor Technology.

For more information on this source, please visit Superior Sensor Technology.

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