Instrument Class
Pressure-sensing devices utilize the change in electrical resistance of a semiconductor or metal under mechanical strain. A piezoresistive pressure transducer typically features a silicon diaphragm with integrated resistors. Applied pressure deflects the diaphragm, causing a measurable change in the resistance of the bridge circuit.
Circuit Architecture
Wheatstone bridge configurations maximize the sensitivity of the output signal. Within a piezoresistive pressure transducer, the resistors are positioned at points of maximum strain to ensure the highest scale factor.
Metrological Characteristic
High sensitivity and fast response times make these sensors suitable for dynamic measurements. The output of a piezoresistive pressure transducer is dependent on temperature, requiring either active or passive compensation.
Installation Effect
Mounting stresses can induce a zero shift that alters the accuracy of the reading. Verification of a piezoresistive pressure transducer involves applying known pressures and recording the voltage output. Calibration certificates provide the coefficients needed to convert the raw signal into units of pressure.
Technicians check for hysteresis by taking measurements while increasing and then decreasing the pressure. The maximum difference between these two sets of readings defines the hysteresis error. Long-term stability is verified by monitoring the zero output over several weeks of operation at the maximum rated temperature.