A new ultra-low pressure sensor provides long-term stability, total error band (TEB), accuracy, flexibility, and high burst and working pressures. The TruStability Ultra-Low Pressure Sensors HSC (High Accuracy Silicon Ceramic) Series and SSC (Standard Accuracy Silicon Ceramic) Series from Honeywell, Morristown, NJ, use new proprietary technology that combines three performance factors: high sensitivity with high overpressure and burst pressure. This technology protects the sensor without sacrificing the ability to sense very small changes in pressure, as well as provides high durability amid environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. The sensors minimize system calibration needs, maximize system performance, and help support system uptime by eliminating the need to service or replace the sensor during its application life.

The sensors provide an amplified compensated digital or analog output for reading pressure over the full-scale pressure span in the ultra-low pressure range of ±2.5 to ±40mbar [±1 inH₂O to ±30 inH₂O], providing support for many medical applications including ventilators, anesthesia machines, spirometers, nebulizers, and hospital room air pressure.

Honeywell’s TEB specifies the sensor’s true accuracy over the compensated temperature range to enable the sensors to be implemented quickly and easily without having to calculate the total effect of individual errors that might be encountered in their applications. The TEB for the HSC Series varies between ±1% and ±3%FSS (depending on the pressure range), and the TEB for the SSC Series varies between ±2% and ±5%FSS (depending on the pressure range). TEB eliminates individual sensor test and calibration (which can increase manufacturing time and process), supports system accuracy and warranty requirements, helps to optimize system uptime, and provides minimal part-to-part variation in accuracy.

The sensors also reduce the software required to correct system inaccuracies, minimizing system design time, supporting system accuracy and warranty requirements, and helping to optimize system uptime. High burst pressures above 1034mbar [415 inH₂O] allow the sensor to endure a wide range of conditions while maintaining a high level of sensitivity. High working pressure ranges above 336mbar [135 inH₂O] allow the device to be used continuously well above the calibrated pressure range.

Modular, flexible design with many package styles, pressure ports, and options simplifies integration into device manufacturers’ applications. Onboard signal conditioning typically allows for the removal of signal-conditioning components from the PCB. Insensitivity to mounting orientation allows customers to position the sensor in the most optimal point in the system, eliminating concern for positional effects and increasing flexibility of use within the application. Insensitivity to vibration reduces susceptibility to application-specific vibration that occurs with changes in pressure, minimizing inaccurate pressure readings. Integrated amplification, compensation, and calibration typically allow for the removal of additional components associated with signal conditioning from the PCB, reducing both the PCB size as well as costs often associated with those components.