What Is a Pressure Sensor?
1 min read
Quick answer
A pressure sensor is a sensor that converts the pressure of a gas or liquid into a measurable electrical signal. Most modern types are small MEMS structures.
How Does It Work?
Pressure is applied to a thin diaphragm, and the diaphragm's flexing changes the value of the resistors on it (piezoresistive). This change is converted to pressure.
Types
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Absolute | Full vacuum |
| Gauge | Atmospheric pressure |
| Differential | Difference between two points |
Where Is It Used?
Automotive (tire/manifold pressure), weather (barometer), medical devices, dive computers and industrial process control.
Pressure Units
Pressure is given in different units: Pascal (Pa), bar, psi and atm. When interpreting the sensor output, watch the unit in the datasheet; roughly 1 bar ≈ 100,000 Pa ≈ 14.5 psi.
Common Mistakes
- Wrong reference type: altitude measurement needs absolute, leak measurement needs differential.
- Overpressure: exceeding the sensor's max value permanently damages the diaphragm.
- Moisture/liquid contact: liquid entering an unprotected sensor corrupts the reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of pressure sensor is a barometer?+
An absolute pressure sensor; it measures atmospheric pressure relative to vacuum (e.g. the BMP280).
Does a pressure sensor measure altitude?+
Yes; since air pressure drops with altitude, an absolute pressure sensor is used to estimate altitude.
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