{"id":1308,"date":"2013-09-27T13:48:14","date_gmt":"2013-09-27T12:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/en\/?p=1308"},"modified":"2023-08-31T13:44:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-31T11:44:51","slug":"when-to-use-electronic-pressure-switches-pressure-sensors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/en\/knowhow\/when-to-use-electronic-pressure-switches-pressure-sensors\/","title":{"rendered":"When to use electronic pressure switches and pressure sensors"},"content":{"rendered":"

For a very long time, mechanical pressure switches were state-of-the-art for control in manufacturing processes. Modern pressure sensors seem to be the answer to the demand for data collection and control, by providing continuous data output about the process pressure.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, why have electronic pressure switches become so popular, even though an analogue output signal from a pressure sensor can also be processed within the control unit to provide a switching output? A pressure sensor may provide all the information users require. However, to supply a PLC or control system with analogue signals from each control point and derive control from the signal can be costly to implement. Yet, very often, for simple control systems, only one or two logic steps are required.<\/p>\n

The cost to connect and implement an analogue pressure signal to an Electronic Control Unit (e.g. a PLC) is much higher than a direct switch output. A user may take many switch contact inputs into a system for the cost of a single analogue input, allowing many more pressure switch points to be monitored and controlled for the same cost. Now why are electronic pressure switches so popular? The flexibility and reliability of electronic pressure switches is far higher than the older, mechanical pressure switches. Depending on the specific product, electronic switches often provide between one and two switch output signals and an analogue output \u2013 all at the same time with only one pressure port.<\/p>\n

Hence, an electronic pressure switch \u201ccombines\u201d a pressure sensor for continuous data collection and one or two mechanical switches to control limit values within the process. Reducing the number of measuring points and reducing the number of products in use, provides a real cost-saving benefit to the user. Electronic pressure switches simplify process control and therefore often substitute mechanical pressure switches in the following applications:<\/p>\n