Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? will there be an improvement? My intuitive answer will be: Yes! Intelligent describes a section and the next its border. On second glance, however, I have to conclude that both words ultimately express the same thing in relation to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by a lower and upper value, for instance 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 where the instrument specifications must apply ? first and foremost, the accuracy. The temperature limit, alternatively, indicates the min/max values between which the instrument could be operated without damage. With this, the instrument specifications don’t need to be adhered to at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes sense from a technical viewpoint. This is often illustrated by the next exemplory case of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to deliver solid measured values at an ambient temperature range 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 does not have to provide accurate measuring results, or even 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 would be impossible. Therefore, the maker has to compensate for the temperature so as to bring the error right down to a satisfactory level. From an economic point of view, the limitation to a selected temperature range makes sense, or is even essential.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit applies to both the ambient temperature and the medium temperature. Additionally it is useful for other specification characteristics, for instance overpressure.
Conclusion
Yes, there is a difference between range and limit in the normative world of pressure sensor technology. And yes, it makes technical sense. However, I doubt whether the normal user, without understanding of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably results in the question of whether there is a better linguistic distinction. But, I have to admit, the answer is outside my ?range?.
Note
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