How does a differential pressure transmitter operate?

A differential pressure transmitter operates by measuring the difference in pressure between two distinct points within a system. This capability allows it to determine variations in fluid pressure, which is essential for various applications such as level measurement, flow measurement, and filter monitoring.

The principle behind this operation involves two pressure sensing elements, one positioned at each of the two measurement points. The transmitter calculates the pressure difference and converts that information into an electrical signal that can be read by control systems, providing valuable insights into the system's behavior.

This measurement is crucial in many industrial processes. For example, in a tank, a differential pressure transmitter can measure the level of the liquid by assessing the pressure at the bottom of the tank compared to the pressure at the top, which reflects the height of the liquid column. The accurate tracking of these pressure differences helps maintain optimal operations and ensures safety by providing insight into potential issues such as blockages or leaks.

In contrast, measuring absolute pressure at a single point, the average pressure of a system, or atmospheric pressure only does not provide the necessary information about variations between points required for many dynamic process control applications, which is the fundamental role of a differential pressure transmitter.