Pressure Switches

A pressure switch is a type of electrical switch that senses a change in pressure and opens or closes an electrical switching element automatically, on reaching a predetermined pressure point.


Pressure switches get actuated with a change in the pressure of a liquid or gas and activate an electromechanical or solid-state switches on reaching a specific pressure level. Pressure range of these switches is the most important parameter that should be considered while selecting these switches.The pressure switches have various industrial uses and they are also known as Industrial Pressure Switches.

There is a choice available in the measurement range of these switches. These include:

• Absolute switches: These switches are of use in situations where pressure is to be measured independently of the natural fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.
  
  
• Vacuum switches: These switches are used for measuring the vacuum pressure.
  
  
• Differential switches: These switches are used for providing relative pressure between two points. In case both operating pressures are the same, the measuring element does not move and no pressure is indicated.

These switches have an electro-mechanical or solid-state switch construction. The normal state can either be normally open (NO), or normally closed (NC). Pressure switches may have single poles (SP), double poles (DP), or more than two poles. The throw type on pressure switches can be single throw (ST) or double throw (DT).

Electrical Specifications
There are certain electrical specifications that must be considered while selecting pressure switches. These are:

• Switched current
• Switched AC volts
• Switched DC volts

Parameters to be considered
There are important performance and operating parameters that should be considered include:

• Switch accuracy
• Type of material to be measured
• Temperature compensation
• Temperature output
• Electrical output.
• Switch accuracy
• Type of material to be measured
• Temperature compensation
• Temperature output