Pressure

Pressure Measurement

Endress+Hauser’s pressure portfolio spans absolute and gauge pressure transmitters (Cerabar), differential pressure solutions (Deltabar, including both classical dp and electronic dp architectures), hydrostatic level instruments (Deltapilot and Waterpilot), and compact pressure switches (Ceraphant). Devices are offered across the company’s FLEX selections, Fundamental, Lean, Extended, and Xpert, so you can align capability and cost to the criticality of the service. Communication choices cover 4–20 mA HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, PROFIBUS PA, Bluetooth® Low Energy for local wireless access, and, on select models, PROFINET over Ethernet‑APL for intrinsically safe, two‑wire digital connectivity. The same building blocks appear throughout the portfolio: robust ceramic or metal measuring cells, hygienic and industrial process connections, and a common approach to diagnostics and device lifecycle. This breadth is why you see the same families deployed from chemical reactors to bioreactors, from waterworks to power boilers, and on offshore separators as readily as on food and beverage utilities.

Absolute & gauge pressure, Cerabar for the workhorse measurements
Cerabar transmitters cover routine and high‑duty services in liquids and gases, including vacuum service, with metal or oil‑free ceramic sensing elements. Typical ranges extend from a few hundred millibar to several hundred bar; for example, the Cerabar PMP71B offers spans up to 700 bar (10,500 psi) and supports diaphragm seals for abrasive, sticky, or hot media, with seal‑coupled process temperatures to +400 °C (752 °F). Accuracy options reach ±0.025%, enabling use in custody‑relevant utilities, reactor jackets, high‑pressure loops, and test stands. The new‑generation Cerabar devices add Bluetooth access (SmartBlue app) for configuration and condition‑based maintenance, guided wizards for commissioning and proof tests, and Heartbeat Technology for in‑situ verification and loop‑health diagnostics, allowing you to check device integrity without breaking containment or halting production. Available wetted materials span 316L, Alloy C, Monel, Tantalum, PTFE, and Gold, and membrane styles include flush‑mount for hygienic lines or with diaphragm seals for remote mounting and thermal decoupling.

Cerabar sensor technologies, where each fits best
Selecting the right measuring cell matters as much as the range. Oil‑free ceramic membranes (PMC series) deliver excellent overload resistance and vacuum proofing, plus integrated membrane‑breakage diagnostics, useful in corrosive, abrasive, or slurry services and in hygienic lines that see frequent CIP/SIP. Silicon (piezoresistive) cells (PMP series) excel at high pressures and wide turndown with minimal thermal effects, while diaphragm‑seal assemblies extend the measurement into hot, viscous, crystallizing, or sanitary processes with industry‑specific connections. Cerabar models in this generation combine these mechanics with digital lifecycle features (Bluetooth, Heartbeat, RFID tag, LED status) and a broad certification set (e.g., ATEX/IECEx, SIL), so the same platform can move from utility air to steam headers, polymer lines, or sterile service with appropriate material and connection choices. For hygienic applications, the Cerabar PMC51 highlights the oil‑free ceramic design and SIL2 safety pedigree; for general service, PMP51B/71B cover the high‑pressure and extreme‑temperature envelope and are available with PROFINET over Ethernet‑APL where plant architecture demands it.

Differential pressure, Deltabar for dp, level in pressurized vessels, and dp‑flow
Classical differential pressure transmitters such as Deltabar PMD75/PMD75B handle dp across filters, heat exchangers, and primary flow elements (orifice, nozzle, Venturi), as well as interface and total level in pressurized columns and tanks. They bring high static‑pressure capability, SIL2/3 suitability to IEC 61508, and practical lifecycle aids like HistoROM for automatic configuration/data backup after a module swap. When you’re implementing dp‑flow, these transmitters integrate cleanly with primary elements and provide the dp backbone for volumetric or mass flow computation in control systems. For high‑temperature or sticky services, add diaphragm seals with appropriate fill fluids and capillaries; Endress+Hauser documentation provides guidance on optimizing side‑flange volumes and seal selection to minimize thermal drift while preserving response time. In short, PMD75 is the robust choice when you need bounded uncertainty across wide static pressures and a conventional dp hookup to piping or to a primary element.

Electronic differential pressure, Deltabar FMD71/FMD72 to eliminate impulse lines
For level and dp in pressurized vessels, Endress+Hauser’s electronic dp architecture decouples the two process taps: one high‑pressure sensor and one low‑pressure sensor connect digitally to a common transmitter that computes true dp. The benefits are immediate, no impulse lines or long capillaries (hence fewer leaks, plugs, or ambient‑temperature‑induced drift), simplified installation, and improved availability and safety. In practice, the electronic dp approach has been shown to reduce ambient‑temperature‑driven error by up to ≈95% relative to mechanical capillary systems, while still delivering high reproducibility and in‑situ health indication across the entire system. It’s particularly attractive on tall columns, evaporators, and vessels that cycle through CIP/SIP or vacuum conditions. Choose FMD71 with ceramic sensors for overload resistance and FMD72 with metal sensors for hot, high‑pressure duty; both support modern communications and diagnostics.

Hydrostatic level by pressure, Deltapilot and Waterpilot where simple is strong
When the application is liquid level (open or closed tanks) and you want a straightforward physics link to head pressure, Endress+Hauser’s hydrostatic portfolio is the right tool. Deltapilot with the Contite measuring cell (e.g., FMB50) is condensate‑resistant and hermetically sealed, with ±0.2% (optional ±0.1%) reference accuracy and minimal temperature effects, ideal for tanks and paste‑like media in hygienic or general‑purpose duty. Foam doesn’t disturb the reading, and the modular design simplifies display/electronics replacement. For wells, sumps, lift stations, and reservoirs, the submersible Waterpilot FMX21 combines a high‑purity 99.9% Al₂O₃ ceramic sensor with HART output; an optional Pt100 in the probe lets you temperature‑compensate density for highest level accuracy using your HART host. Between these two lines you can cover the bulk of water/wastewater, utilities, and storage duties with ruggedized hardware, long cable options, and accessory kits that build complete measuring points.

Pressure switches, Ceraphant for discrete protection and control
For binary logic, pump protection, compressor staging, filter‑clean triggers, over/under‑pressure interlocks, or local alarms, Ceraphant switches (e.g., PTP31B, PTP33B, PTC31B) offer compact installation, bright local indication, and modern control‑system connectivity. PTP31B uses a metal diaphragm with a piezoresistive sensor and is overload‑resistant up to 400 bar, while PTC31B uses a ceramic cell for high vacuum resistance; both add IO‑Link for parameterization/diagnostics over standard M12 wiring. For sanitary skids, PTP33B adds the hygienic metal diaphragm and carries 3‑A and EHEDG approvals with stainless housings, ensuring compliance in dairy, beverages, and clean‑process utilities. These switches slot naturally where you want deterministic, on‑device setpoints and digital status without the full analog‑transmitter footprint.

Connectivity, diagnostics, and safety, what simplifies projects and operations
Across the portfolio, you can standardize on 4–20 mA HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, or PROFIBUS PA, and selectively deploy Bluetooth® for safe local access via the SmartBlue app (useful in hard‑to‑reach or classified areas). Where plants are adopting converged Ethernet in hazardous zones, select Cerabar variants with PROFINET over Ethernet‑APL to deliver two‑wire, intrinsically safe power and data right to the field. New‑generation devices add guided setup, proof‑test wizards, and Heartbeat Technology that enables verification and trend‑based monitoring without process interruption, lowering maintenance burden and supporting compliance. Protocol availability is visible right from the portfolio filters, and model pages enumerate each device’s approvals (e.g., ATEX/IECEx), SIL capability, and digital options so you can tie selection to your site’s engineering standards.

Typical applications by industry
In chemical plants, Cerabar handles reactor jackets and header pressures, while Deltabar tracks dp across exchangers and filters; electronic dp simplifies column level where ambient swings punish capillaries. In life sciences, ceramic‑membrane Cerabar and hygienic process connections support CIP/SIP and sterile utilities; Deltapilot provides stable level on buffer and media tanks. Food & beverage skids favor flush‑membrane transmitters and Ceraphant switches with 3‑A/EHEDG approvals for discrete control. Water & wastewater uses Waterpilot submersibles in wells and lift stations, Deltapilot for tank level, and Cerabar for blower and pump discharge. Oil & gas/marine services rely on high‑pressure Cerabar and Deltabar for separators and treaters, while power & energy apply dp to boiler drum level and hp/condensate trains. Mining & metals often pair ceramic membranes with seals for slurry and thickener duties; pulp & paper use hydrostatic for stock tanks and dp for digester level. The common thread is portfolio breadth and the ability to pick a sensor, process a connection, and use a protocol that aligns with duty, cleanliness, and safety requirements across all these sectors.

Vector, your Authorized Endress+Hauser Representative