Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? is there a difference? My intuitive answer would 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 where the instrument specifications must apply ? first of all, the accuracy. The temperature limit, alternatively, indicates the min/max values between that your instrument could be operated without damage. With this particular, the instrument specifications don’t need to be adhered to at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes perfect sense from a technical perspective. This could be illustrated by the next exemplory case of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature range of 0 ? 100 �C. At the same time, 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 comparatively large, often non-linear temperature error. Without further measures, a trusted pressure measurement will be impossible. Therefore, the maker must compensate for the temperature as a way to bring the error down to an acceptable level. From an economic perspective, the limitation to a selected temperature range makes sense, or is even essential.
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, there is a difference between range and limit in the normative world of pressure sensor technology. And yes, it creates technical sense. However, I doubt whether the normal user, without knowledge of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably leads to the question of whether there exists a better linguistic distinction. But, I must admit, the solution is outside my ?range?.
Note
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