Transducers

Choosing Transducers components

Transducer selection is fundamentally about matching the measurement physics, the range and accuracy, and the output signal type to the downstream control system. Transducers with raw bridge-output (millivolt) signals are not interchangeable with transducers that have built-in amplifiers and 4–20 mA output; the conditioning expectations are different.

Specs to confirm before ordering:

Measurement category: pressure (gauge/absolute/differential), force (compression/tension/both), load (S-beam, button, shear-beam, pancake), displacement (LVDT, magnetic), current (AC, DC, AC+DC Hall-effect), voltage, torque, vibration (accelerometer, velocity, displacement)
Measuring range with appropriate margin for transient overloads
Accuracy class — percent of full scale or percent of reading
Output: raw bridge millivolt (needs amplifier), 4–20 mA loop-powered, 0–10 V or 0–5 V, 0.5–4.5 V ratiometric, digital RS-485/RS-232, IO-Link
Excitation: bridge transducers need 5 V or 10 V DC excitation (4–20 mA loop-powered transducers do not)
Operating temperature and temperature compensation range
Mechanical mounting and process connection
Wetted parts for fluid-contact transducers
Cable type, length, and connector style

Common gotchas: a load cell rated 1000 lb at full scale and 2 mV/V output produces 20 mV at 10 V excitation when fully loaded — far too small to read on a generic analog input. Bridge-output transducers require strain-gauge amplifiers with appropriate gain. Pressure transducers with 0–10 V output cannot be powered through a 2-wire loop; they need separate supply and signal wires. Vibration accelerometers with charge output (older IEPE precursor) need charge amplifiers; constant-current-fed IEPE accelerometers do not work on those amplifiers and vice versa.

Typical applications: process pressure measurement on pipelines and tanks, force monitoring on injection-molder clamps and presses, weight measurement on hoppers and scales, displacement measurement in precision machining fixtures, three-phase current monitoring for motor protection and energy submetering, and vibration monitoring for predictive maintenance on rotating equipment.

For obsolete transducers, send the OEM part number for a sourcing quote.

Do you stock obsolete transducers across categories?

Yes. Discontinued Honeywell pressure transducers, retired HBM and Interface load cells, end-of-life LEM current transducers, and earlier Solartron LVDTs are sourced through our supplier network.

Can I read a millivolt bridge transducer with my PLC?

Only if the PLC has a strain-gauge-class analog input card with bridge excitation and gain. Standard 0–10 V or 4–20 mA cards cannot read mV-level signals — a transducer amplifier is needed to convert mV to a standard signal level.

4–20 mA vs. 0–10 V — which is better?

4–20 mA is loop-powered (one pair of wires for power and signal), tolerates long cable runs, and detects open-circuit faults (4 mA at zero, so 0 mA indicates wire break). 0–10 V is simpler but susceptible to voltage drop on long runs. 4–20 mA is the industrial process-control standard.

Are calibration certificates included?

OEM factory calibration is included where the original certificate is available with the unit. NIST-traceable recalibration can be quoted separately for critical applications.

Can I cross-reference my transducer to a current model?

Sometimes — for commodity pressure and load transducers with standard mountings and outputs, yes. For specialty transducers with proprietary mounts or output formats, exact OEM is often the only reliable replacement. Send the part number and we will state cross-reference options.

What is the warranty?

12-month functional warranty. Damage from over-range, over-pressure, mechanical impact, or chemical attack on wetted parts is not covered.

Autonics KT-302HS-0810 Display Type Pressure Transmitters

Autonics PSAN-01CH-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-01CPA-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-01CPH-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-01CPV-RC1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-1CPA-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-1CPH-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-1CPV-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-1CPV-RC1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-1CV-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-D1CPV-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-L01CH-R1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-L01CPH-R1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-L01CPV-R1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-L01CV-R1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

Autonics PSAN-L1CA-NPT1/8 Digital Display Pressure Sensors

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