Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? will there be a difference? My intuitive answer will be: Yes! The initial term describes a section and the second its border. On second glance, however, I must conclude that both words ultimately express the same thing with regards to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by a lower and upper value, for instance 0 ? 100 �C. The relevant standard nevertheless defines a difference. Why?
IEC 61987 speaks of two different specification characteristics
The standard described is IEC 61987. This deals, among other activities, with the properties of fluid sensors, which also include 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, on the other hand, indicates the min/max values between that your instrument may be operated without damage. With this, the instrument specifications do not have to be honored at all.
What may sound a little pedantic, makes sense from a technical point of view. This is often illustrated by the following example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is meant to provide 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 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 manufacturer must compensate for the temperature so as to bring the error down to an acceptable level. From an economic perspective, the limitation to a selected temperature range is practical, or is even essential.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit applies to both the ambient temperature and the medium temperature. It is also useful for other specification characteristics, for example 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 whether 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, Monumental have to admit, the solution is outside my ?range?.
Note
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