Compact Ceramic Piezoresistive OEM Pressure Transmitter
1. Why You Need It
High-volume OEM equipment — hydrogen energy systems, heat pumps, water pumps, pneumatic devices and industrial IoT — needs a pressure sensor that is compact, low-cost and reliable at scale, without sacrificing measurement integrity. This ceramic thick-film piezoresistive transmitter uses an Al₂O₃ 96% ceramic sensing element that resists aggressive media and delivers 1% (0.5% optional) accuracy in an ultra-compact package. With multiple outputs and full OEM customization, it is the embedded pressure sensing solution for manufacturers who build pressure into their products.
2. Working Principle
The sensor uses a ceramic (Al₂O₃ 96%) diaphragm with a thick-film piezoresistive bridge. Pressure deflects the ceramic diaphragm, changing the bridge resistance and producing an output proportional to pressure. The ceramic element is chemically inert and highly resistant to aggressive media, and the thick-film construction keeps cost low for high-volume production. The electronics provide 4-20 mA, 0-10 V, ratiometric 0.5-4.5 V or I²C digital outputs.
3. Key Advantages
- Al₂O₃ 96% ceramic thick-film element
- Ultra-compact for OEM integration
- 1% FS (0.5% optional) accuracy
- 4-20 mA / 0-10 V / ratiometric / I²C
- 304 SS or PPS housing
- IP65 (IP67 optional)
- -25 to 85 °C (125 °C remote)
- G1/4, G1/8, 1/4 NPT, M10×1, M12×1.5
- Full OEM customization
- Resistant to aggressive media
Common Pain Points & Solutions
| Problem | Conventional Issue | Our Solution | Result |
|---|
| High-volume OEM cost | Expensive sensors inflate BOM | Low-cost ceramic thick-film | Cost-effective at scale |
| Aggressive media attack | Metal diaphragms corrode | Ceramic Al₂O₃ element | Resists aggressive media |
| Embedded integration | Bulky sensors won't fit | Ultra-compact package | Easy product integration |
| Custom requirements | Off-the-shelf mismatch | Full OEM customization | Fit-for-purpose design |
Application Cases
Industry: Hydrogen Energy
Application: Hydrogen system pressure
Medium: Hydrogen / gas
Pressure Range: 0-25 bar
Operating Temperature: -25 to 85 °C
Installation Environment: Fuel cell / system
Customer Challenge: Embedded pressure sensing
Previous Problem: Metal sensor embrittlement
Solution: Ceramic OEM transmitter
Installation Location: Hydrogen manifold
Result: Safe, media-resistant sensing
Industry: Heat Pumps
Application: Refrigerant circuit pressure
Medium: Refrigerant
Pressure Range: 0-40 bar
Operating Temperature: -25 to 85 °C
Installation Environment: Heat pump unit
Customer Challenge: Compact refrigerant measurement
Previous Problem: Bulky sensor
Solution: Ceramic compact transmitter
Installation Location: Refrigerant line
Result: Compact, reliable measurement
Industry: Water Pumps
Application: Pump pressure control
Medium: Water
Pressure Range: 0-10 bar
Operating Temperature: 0-60 °C
Installation Environment: Pump assembly
Customer Challenge: Embedded pump control
Previous Problem: Costly sensor
Solution: OEM ceramic transmitter, ratiometric
Installation Location: Pump discharge
Result: Cost-effective pump control
Industry: Industrial IoT
Application: Pneumatic equipment
Medium: Air
Pressure Range: 0-16 bar
Operating Temperature: 0-50 °C
Installation Environment: IoT device
Customer Challenge: Digital pressure data
Previous Problem: No digital output
Solution: I²C digital OEM transmitter
Installation Location: Pneumatic manifold
Result: IoT-ready pressure data
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|
| Sensor Element | Al₂O₃ 96% ceramic thick-film piezoresistive |
| Accuracy | 1% FS (0.5% optional) |
| Output | 4-20 mA / 0-10 V / 0.5-4.5 V ratiometric / I²C |
| Housing | 304 SS / PPS engineered plastic |
| Protection | IP65 (IP67 optional) |
| Operating Temperature | -25 to 85 °C (125 °C remote) |
| Process Connection | G1/4, G1/8, 1/4 NPT, M10×1, M12×1.5 |
| OEM Services | Custom branding, outputs, connector |
FAQ
Q: What is a ceramic piezoresistive pressure transmitter?
A ceramic piezoresistive pressure transmitter uses a ceramic (Al₂O₃ 96%) diaphragm with a thick-film piezoresistive bridge to measure pressure. The ceramic element is chemically inert and resistant to aggressive media, and the thick-film construction keeps cost low — making it ideal for high-volume OEM applications where reliability and economy must coexist.
Q: Why use a ceramic sensor element?
Ceramic (Al₂O₃ 96%) is chemically inert and highly resistant to aggressive and corrosive media that would attack metal diaphragms. It also provides good long-term stability and wide media compatibility. These properties make ceramic sensors the preferred choice for hydrogen systems, refrigerants and other demanding media in compact OEM designs.
Q: What outputs are available?
The transmitter offers 4-20 mA, 0-10 V, 0.5-4.5 V ratiometric and I²C digital outputs. The ratiometric output is ideal for embedded microcontroller applications, while I²C provides direct digital communication for industrial IoT devices. This variety lets OEMs select the interface that matches their electronics.
Q: What is the accuracy?
The accuracy is 1% FS standard, with a 0.5% FS option. This provides adequate accuracy for OEM equipment such as pumps, heat pumps and pneumatic devices. The 0.5% option is available where tighter measurement is required.
Q: What OEM customization is available?
Full OEM customization is offered, including custom branding, custom output curves, custom connectors and private labeling. This lets manufacturers integrate the transmitter into their product with a fit-for-purpose design, rather than adapting to a generic off-the-shelf sensor.
Q: What is the operating temperature range?
The operating temperature is -25 °C to +85 °C for the media, extending to +125 °C with remote electronics. This covers the temperature range of heat pumps, hydrogen systems, water pumps and most industrial IoT equipment.
Q: What housing materials are available?
The housing is available in 304 stainless steel or PPS engineered plastic. 304 stainless steel provides strength and corrosion resistance, while PPS plastic offers lower cost and lighter weight. The choice depends on the application and the media environment.
Q: What process connections are available?
Process connections include G1/4 (standard), G1/8, 1/4 NPT, M10×1 and M12×1.5, covering the most common fittings used in OEM equipment. This variety allows the transmitter to be specified for the exact connection required by the product.
Q: Is it suitable for hydrogen applications?
Yes. The ceramic sensing element resists hydrogen embrittlement that can affect metal diaphragms, making it suitable for hydrogen energy systems. The compact size and multiple outputs also fit the embedded sensing requirements of fuel cells, electrolyzers and hydrogen storage equipment.
Q: Where is it used?
It is used in hydrogen energy systems, heat pumps, water pumps, pneumatic equipment and industrial IoT devices. It provides compact, cost-effective, media-resistant embedded pressure sensing for high-volume OEM manufacturers.
