What property is typically measured by a differential pressure transmitter?

A differential pressure transmitter is designed specifically to measure the difference in pressure between two reference points in a system. This property is crucial in various applications, including level measurement, flow measurement, and pressure monitoring.

When measuring liquid levels, for instance, a differential pressure transmitter can determine the level by measuring the pressure difference between the liquid's surface and a reference point, typically the bottom of the tank. This principle is grounded in hydrostatic pressure, where the pressure at the bottom of the liquid column relates directly to the height of that column.

In addition to level measurement, differential pressure transmitters are also vital in monitoring flow rates. By measuring the pressure difference across an orifice plate or flow restriction, these devices can calculate flow based on the principle that flow rate is proportional to the square root of the differential pressure.

Differential pressure transmitters do not measure temperature variations or the chemical composition of gases. While these parameters are essential in process control, they require different types of instruments designed specifically for those measurements, such as thermocouples for temperature or gas analyzers for composition.

Thus, the specific capability of a differential pressure transmitter to capture the difference in pressure between two points makes it an invaluable tool in various industrial processes.