Pressure Sensors

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A pressure sensor is the element that turns pressure into an electrical signal. Instranova builds a full range of industrial pressure sensors: ceramic and silicon cells, miniature and OEM bodies, low-pressure, dynamic, liquid and gas versions, with millivolt, voltage, 4-20 mA or digital output. Pick the cell by the media first, then the range and the output. The pages below give real specifications, ordering details and a quote checklist for each one.

By sensing technology

The cell decides chemical compatibility and cost. Thick-film ceramic touches aggressive media directly with no fill fluid; diffused silicon is the low-cost workhorse; a dynamic cell catches fast pressure transients.

By range and output

Low ranges in kPa need a different cell from MPa service, and not every system wants a 4-20 mA loop. These cover the low-pressure, space-constrained and digital cases.

By media and application

Some jobs are defined by what they touch. These are sized for liquid lines, gas service and buried earth-pressure work.

Choosing a pressure sensor

Start with the media, because that rules the cell in or out. Then set the range and the output your system reads.

Your service	Pick	Why
Corrosive or abrasive media, no fill fluid wanted	Ceramic	Al2O3 cell contacts the media directly
General OEM and volume builds, lowest cost	Silicon	Diffused-silicon core, compact and economical
Air or gas in the kPa range	Low-pressure	Cell scaled to low span for resolution
Pulsation, water hammer, fast transients	Dynamic	High-frequency response captures the spike
Direct digital readout, no analog loop	Digital	RS485 / I2C output straight to the controller

For a loop-powered, calibrated transmitter rather than a bare sensor, see the pressure transmitter series; for local dial indication, see the pressure gauges.

FAQ

What does a pressure sensor do?

A pressure sensor converts process pressure into an electrical signal. A diaphragm flexes under pressure, and a piezoresistive, ceramic or silicon element behind it changes its output in proportion. That raw signal, a few millivolts, a ratiometric voltage, a 4-20 mA loop or a digital word, is what your controller reads as pressure.

What is the difference between a pressure sensor and a pressure transmitter?

The sensor is the bare sensing element with a small, often unamplified output that fades over distance. A transmitter is that sensor plus the electronics that condition, linearize and scale it into a standard 4-20 mA / HART loop a PLC can read across a long cable. Use a sensor for OEM and short-range builds, a transmitter for plant loops.

What is another name for a pressure transducer?

Pressure sensor and pressure transducer are used interchangeably for the sensing device. Strictly, a transducer outputs a raw electrical signal and a transmitter outputs a conditioned loop, but in the field the words overlap. On our pages “sensor” means the compact sensing device, “transmitter” the loop-powered instrument.

Request a quote

Quote checklist, send these five points: the media and its temperature; the pressure range and the units you work in; the output (mV, voltage, 4-20 mA or digital); the process connection and body size; and any hazardous-area or material requirement. Tell us the application and we configure one unit, not a shelf part.

Written and technically reviewed by the Instranova engineering team, last reviewed 2026-06-21 (AI-assisted drafting). Based on the Instranova pressure sensor series datasheets plus field experience across liquid, gas and corrosive service. Questions? Reach our application engineers.