The response time of pressure sensors is reflected in a large number of varying parameters, such as the response time, settling time or rise amount of time in specifications or data sheets. In general, it could be assumed that the response time means the interval required by the output signal of a pressure sensor to display a big change in the applied pressure. Of greatest practical relevance is the so-called rise time. The graphic shows a simplified diagram of a steplike change in pressure (shown in blue) with a time-delayed change in signal of the pressure sensor (shown in red). For the sake of simplicity, the picture only shows an ideal situation.
In reality, the response time of pressure sensors contains further influencing factors, such as dead time or overshoot, because of their particular constructive setups. Authoritative on the response time usually contain additional data concerning the test conditions applied, such as T90 or 10 ? 90% (used below for exemplary calculation). These details defines the interval when a steplike change in the applied pressure from 10 to 90% of the full span (e.g. from 60 to 540 bar for a 0 ? 600 bar pressure sensor) leads to a defined change in output signal of 10 to 90% of the ultimate value (e.g. from 1 to 9 V at an output signal of 0?10 V).
The typical design of modern pressure transmitters already allows rise times of ? 2 ms. However, special forms (such as for example submersible pressure transmitters) may also show clearly higher values of ? 100 ms on purpose. The basic rule is that in applications with high load cycles, such as in mobile hydraulics, short rise times are recommended, whereas in slow applications, such as for example level measurements by submersible pressure transmitters, long rise times are often advantageous.