Pressure Switches

Pressure Switches: How to Choose the Right Pressure Switches

Pressure switches are switches that respond to changes in the pressure of a gas or liquid and activate other switches when certain pressure levels are reached. For example, a simple pressure switch may react to steam pressure at a factory and simply cause a vent to come on.

There are several different types of pressure switches that you will need to consider. Pressure switches can be vacuum, absolute, sealed gauge, and differential. Vacuum pressure switches respond to negative pressure. Absolute pressure switches respond to pressures that have no influence from atmospheric pressure. Sealed gauge pressure switches are similar to absolute pressure switches but they measure pressure in comparison to atmospheric pressure. Differential pressure switches compare pressure between two points.

When selecting pressure switches, you also need to consider how much measuring you require. On the simplest pressure switches, when pressure achieves a specific level, another switch is activated. More complex pressure switches can be linked to machines that provide readouts that lets workers know exactly what is occurring when pressure exceeds accepted levels.