Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? will there be an improvement? My intuitive answer will be: Yes! The first term describes a section and the next 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 way of a lower and upper value, for example 0 ? 100 �C. The relevant standard nevertheless defines an improvement. Why?
Lonely speaks of two different specification characteristics
The standard referred to is IEC 61987. This deals, among other things, with the properties of fluid sensors, which also include pressure sensors. With ?range? and ?limit?, the typical designates two different specification characteristics. Accordingly, the temperature range describes the span where the instrument specifications must apply ? first of all, the accuracy. The temperature limit, on the other hand, indicates the min/max values between which the instrument may 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 perfect sense from a technical point of view. This could be illustrated by the following example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to deliver 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 have 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 specific measuring components, exhibit a relatively 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 as a way to bring the error down to a satisfactory 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 pertains to both ambient temperature and the medium temperature. Additionally it is useful for other specification characteristics, for instance overpressure.
Conclusion
Yes, you will find 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 exists a better linguistic distinction. But, I must admit, the answer is outside my ?range?.
Note
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