Temperature range and temperature limit for pressure sensors ? will there be a difference? My intuitive answer would 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 a similar thing in relation to temperatures: Range and limit are defined by way of a lower and upper value, for instance 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 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, alternatively, indicates the min/max values between which the instrument could be operated without damage. With this, the instrument specifications don’t need to be adhered to at all.
What may sound a bit pedantic, makes perfect sense from a technical viewpoint. This can be illustrated by the next example of a pressure sensor: The instrument is supposed to provide solid measured values at an ambient temperature range of 0 ? 100 �C. As well, 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, as well as 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 actual measuring components, exhibit a comparatively 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 right down to an acceptable level. From an economic point of view, the limitation to a selected temperature range is practical, or is even essential.
The distinction between temperature range and temperature limit applies to both ambient temperature and the medium temperature. Additionally it is used for other specification characteristics, for instance overpressure.
Conclusion
Yes, you will find a difference between range and limit in the normative world of pressure sensor technology. And yes, it makes technical sense. However, I doubt whether the normal user, without knowledge of standards, understands it intuitively. Which inevitably results in the question of whether there is a better linguistic distinction. But, I have to admit, the answer is outside my ?range?.
Note
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