Pressure Sensor Core or Pressure Transmitter? Uncompensated, Calibrated and Finished Transmitters Compared
Choose between an uncompensated core, calibrated core and finished transmitter by the engineering work your team can own: conditioning, compensation, sealing and complete-product validation. Each option transfers a different portion of that work. Compare calibration equipment, development time, yield and quality responsibility as well as purchase price.
Three tiers: core, calibrated core, finished transmitter
| Tier | Representative series | Output | Compensation and calibration | What is left to you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncompensated core | RS PC070, RS PC160, RS PC350 | Millivolt bridge signal, by range and excitation | None — the customer performs it | Amplification, thermal compensation, calibration, mechanical design |
| Calibrated core | RS-PMSC350 | 0.5-4.5 V / 0.5-2.5 V / I²C / SPI | Digital calibration and thermal compensation done | Integrate housing/cable and validate the complete device |
| Finished transmitter | RS PM160-E and others | 4-20 mA / 0-10 V / 0.5-4.5 V | Done, including housing and connector | Mount, verify wiring and complete system acceptance |
The tiers define integration boundaries. Whether a particular option saves total cost depends on volume, existing equipment and validation work; extra packaging does not automatically make a project cheaper or more economical.
Uncompensated cores: you get the raw signal
RS PC160 is an uncompensated medium-pressure core with millivolt bridge output. The integrator performs signal conditioning, thermal compensation and calibration. The table uses current product information; confirm supplementary electrical and construction data in the older PDF against the ordered version.
| Current PC160 specification | Value | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure ranges | 0–5 / 10 / 30 / 40 bar; 0–160 bar | 160 bar absolute only; other ranges gauge or absolute |
| Repeatability | ≤±0.02 %FS | Typical |
| Hysteresis | ≤±0.01 %FS | Typical |
| Long-term stability | ≤0.1 %FS/year | Typical; not total error |
| Operating / storage | −40–125°C / −50–150°C | Operating limits are not a compensated band |
| Signal / wetted material | mV / SUS316L | Uncompensated; system calibration required |
| Response | As fast as 1.4 µs | Validate the complete acquisition chain |
RS-PC160 lists non-linearity, hysteresis, repeatability and drift coefficients for the uncompensated core. These are inputs to integration and compensation design. Where TEB is not published, do not infer a finished-device full-temperature error; validate the actual circuitry, compensation and assembly.
Uncompensated cores now form three groups: RS PC070 low pressure, RS PC160 medium pressure and RS PC350 high pressure. Current PC350 product information specifies absolute pressure, 0–100 / 160 / 250 / 350 bar and response as fast as 1.4 µs. The integrated buffer applies to the pressure-port version. Confirm the current configuration where the older PDF differs.
Calibrated cores: compensation built in
RS-PMSC350 is the middle path — core form factor, transmitter performance. Digital calibration and thermal compensation are already done internally, the output is a standard voltage or digital signal, and diagnostics and EMC protection are included.
| Item | RS-PMSC350 value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Range | 0-2 bar to 350 bar (table extends to 400 bar) | Gauge / sealed gauge / absolute |
| Total Error Band | Use confirmed values for the selected version and temperature band | Agree typical/maximum definitions and temperature band together |
| Output | 0.5-2.5 V / 0.5-4.5 V / I²C / SPI / I²C plus voltage | 4-20 mA and others on request |
| Supply current | 2.9 mA | Same across the three outputs |
| Response time | Voltage version 2 ms (<1 ms custom) | — |
| Long-term stability | ±0.1 % FS/year | — |
| Compensated temperature | Confirm compensated band for the selected version | Media temperature up to -40 to 125 °C |
| Enclosure rating | Validate final enclosure and connection configuration | Standard φ19 mm outer diameter |
| Overload | 2× to 5×, banded by range | The 0–2 bar and 0–5 bar ranges are rated at 5× |
A calibrated core can reduce compensation development. Once housing and cabling are added, verify sealing, EMC, wetted materials, output error and any required certifications at complete-product level. Confirm fault-output and reset behaviour for the selected configuration during commissioning.
Finished transmitters: mount and run
One level further up sits a finished product such as RS PM160-E: housing, connector, protection, EMC and calibration all complete, with 4-20 mA or standard voltage straight into a PLC.
| Item | RS PM160-E specification |
|---|---|
| Range | 0–0.1 bar to 160 bar |
| TEB (−20 to 85°C) | Typical ≤±0.25%FS; maximum ≤±0.50%FS |
| TEB (-40 to 125 °C) | Typical ≤±1.0%FS; maximum ≤±1.2%FS |
| Output | 0.5-4.5 V ratiometric, 0.5-2.5 V, 0-5 V / 1-5 V, 0-10 V / 1-10 V, 4-20 mA |
| Response time | 0.5 ms (voltage output) |
| Compensated temperature | −40 to 125°C; TEB limits vary by temperature band |
| Enclosure rating | IP67 (gauge) / IP68 (absolute and sealed gauge) |
Packaging level does not determine temperature range or accuracy. Compare each model’s operating range, compensated band, TEB and final assembly conditions separately. An operating-temperature limit does not itself guarantee measurement error throughout that range.
Which tier to buy
- You have hardware and algorithm capability, high volume, and BOM cost pressure → uncompensated core (PC160 / PC350). You will need an instrumentation amplifier, ADC and thermal compensation on the board, plus a calibration line.
- Mechanical design and assembly capability → consider a calibrated core. Compensation figures apply under stated conditions; the complete device still needs sealing, EMC, error and production-consistency validation.
- You just need a unit that works when installed → finished transmitter (PM160-E and others). Range, output, port and protection are selected in one go.
- Very limited space → assess a core design using the outline drawing for the selected bare-core or pressure-port version. PMSC350 has a standard φ19 mm outside diameter; also allow for cabling, ports and assembly.
- Fast transients → check end-to-end bandwidth, response and effective sampling, including the core, conditioning, filters and pressure port. Core response time alone is insufficient.
Confirm range and reference separately. Current PC070-P information lists 0–5 / 15 / 30 psi, with 0–1 psi custom. PC160 lists 0–5 / 10 / 30 / 40 bar gauge or absolute, with 0–160 bar absolute only. PC350 lists 0–100 / 160 / 250 / 350 bar absolute. The PC070-P PDF also lists 70 psi; do not automatically include a historical range in the current order.
Full parameters, the banded overload tables and ordering codes are in the datasheets on our downloads page.
FAQ
Why does an uncompensated core have no TEB?
The PC070, PC160 and PC350 cores discussed here are uncompensated. Their current documentation lists repeatability, hysteresis and thermal effects for integration work rather than a calibrated finished-device TEB. Validate full-temperature error after completing the actual circuitry, compensation and assembly; do not treat an individual core error term as the finished-device TEB.
PC350 and PMSC350 sound alike — are they the same?
No. PC350 is an uncompensated high-pressure core (0-100 to 350 bar, millivolt bridge output) that requires the customer to compensate it. PMSC350 is digitally calibrated and thermally compensated (0-2 to 350 bar), with diagnostics and EMC protection, and outputs standard voltage or digital signals ready to use.
Can I put a housing on a calibrated core and sell it as a transmitter?
A calibrated core can form the basis of a finished transmitter, but adding a housing does not automatically establish finished-device performance. Verify sealing, EMC, output error, materials, production consistency and required certifications, with clear supplier/integrator validation responsibilities.
How much does response time differ?
Current PC350 product information specifies response as fast as 1.4 µs. The PMSC350 voltage datasheet lists 2 ms (<1 ms on request). For PM160-E, 0.5 ms (voltage output). Response figures do not establish an effective system sampling rate; check the conditioning, filters, ADC and pressure connection for the intended transient.
Is customisation available?
Yes. Range, pressure type, output signal, pressure port, electrical connection and sealing material can all be customised, and ODM programme-level cooperation is supported. Feasibility is assessed with the engineering and sales teams.
More answers in the FAQ.
Specifications: View MEMS PC070-P Datasheet (PDF) · Download PDF · View PC160 datasheet (PDF) · Download PDF · View PC350 datasheet (PDF) · Download PDF · View PMSC350 datasheet (PDF) · Download PDF