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 have to conclude that both words ultimately express a similar thing with regards to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by 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 things, with the properties of fluid sensors, which likewise incorporate 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 honored at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes sense from a technical viewpoint. This can be illustrated by the next example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to deliver solid measured values at an ambient temperature range of 0 ? 100 �C. Concurrently, 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, and even measure.
Panicked between temperature range and temperature limit is plausible
This sounds paradoxical initially, but is plausible on closer inspection. Pressure sensor elements, i.e. the actual 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 to be able to bring the error right down to a satisfactory level. From an economic point of view, the limitation to a selected temperature range makes sense, or is even absolutely necessary.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit applies to both the ambient temperature and the medium temperature. Additionally it is used for other specification characteristics, for instance overpressure.
Conclusion
Yes, there exists 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 you will find a better linguistic distinction. But, I have to admit, the answer is outside my ?range?.
Note
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