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 way of a lower and upper value, for example 0 ? 100 �C. The relevant standard nevertheless defines a difference. 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 typical designates two different specification characteristics. Accordingly, the temperature range describes the span in which the instrument specifications must apply ? first and foremost, the accuracy. The temperature limit, on the other hand, indicates the min/max values between which the instrument could be operated without damage. With this particular, the instrument specifications don’t need to be honored at all.
What may sound a little pedantic, makes perfect sense from a technical viewpoint. This is often illustrated by the following exemplory case of a pressure sensor: The instrument is meant to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature range of 0 ? 100 �C. At the same time, the sensor should never suffer any damage at ambient temperatures between -20 �C and 0 �C. In this range, however, it does not need to provide accurate measuring results, or even measure.
The difference between temperature range and temperature limit is plausible
This sounds paradoxical at first, but is plausible on closer inspection. Pressure sensor elements, i.e. the specific measuring components, exhibit a relatively large, often non-linear temperature error. Without further measures, a trusted pressure measurement would be impossible. Therefore, the maker has to compensate for the temperature so as to bring the error down to a satisfactory level. From an economic viewpoint, the limitation to a selected temperature range is practical, or is even absolutely necessary.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit pertains to both the ambient temperature and the medium temperature. Additionally it is useful for other specification characteristics, for example 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 understanding of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably results in the question of whether there exists a better linguistic distinction. But, I have to admit, the answer is outside my ?range?.
Note
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