Industrial pressure transmitters · Accuracy terms and temperature error, overpressure and burst limits, pressure peaks, 4–20 mA loop load
A pressure transducer or transmitter converts process pressure into an electrical signal such as 4–20 mA or 0–10 V, from a sensing element behind a stainless steel diaphragm, mounted on pipework, manifolds or vessels as pictured. Ask three things first: what total error the transmitter has across your temperature range, not only its reference accuracy, what overpressure, burst pressure and pressure peaks it must survive, and what supply and loop load the output needs.
Industrial electronic pressure transducers and transmitters for gauge, absolute and compound pressure in hydraulics, pneumatics, water and machinery. Mechanical pressure gauges, differential pressure transmitters for flow, level transmitters and pressure switches are outside this page.
CNFX editorial research · Sources checked October 12, 2026 · 4 sources
WIKA's data sheet for its A-10 pressure transmitter separates the terms: non-linearity ≤ ±0.5% of span (or ±0.25% as an option) per BFSL under IEC 61298-2; maximum measured error ≤ ±1% of span (±0.5% with the improved option) for ranges of 0.6 bar or more, rising to ±2.4% at 0.05 bar; non-repeatability ≤ 0.1% of span; long-term drift ≤ ±0.1% of span above 0.4 bar; and a temperature error from 0 to 80 °C of ±1% of span in WIKA's figures and at most ±1.5% to ±2.5% depending on range. [1]
Danfoss's MBS 3000 data sheet (EN 60770) states accuracy including non-linearity, hysteresis and repeatability as ≤ ±0.5% FS (typ.) and ≤ ±1% FS maximum, non-linearity ≤ ±0.2% FS, hysteresis and repeatability ≤ ±0.1% FS, and thermal zero and span shifts each ≤ ±0.1% FS per 10 K (typ.) and ≤ ±0.2% FS per 10 K maximum; response time is under 4 ms for liquids below 100 cSt. [2]
Editorial calculation: 40 K away from the reference temperature, the MBS 3000's maximum thermal shifts allow up to 0.8% FS of zero shift plus 0.8% FS of span shift on top of the ±1% FS accuracy; on a 0–16 bar range, each 1% FS is 0.16 bar. Compare transmitters on total error over your operating temperature, not reference accuracy alone.
Give the supplier the medium and temperature, pressure type (gauge, absolute, compound) and range, maximum working pressure, expected peaks and cycles, required total error over temperature, output signal and supply, process connection and seal, electrical connection and IP rating, vibration, approvals and quantity.
02
Check overpressure, burst limits and pressure peaks
WIKA states that operation above the maximum working pressure, equal to the full-scale value, is not permitted, and sets the overpressure limit by range: 3 bar for ranges below 1.6 bar, twice the range from 1.6 bar, 1.43 times for 1,000 bar, with possible restrictions depending on the process connection and seal. Its service life is 100 million load cycles for ranges above 0.1 bar and 10 million at 600 bar or more, with 10 g vibration and 500 g shock resistance. [1]
Danfoss rates the MBS 3000 for a static overload of 6 × FS (maximum 1,500 bar), burst pressure of 6 × FS (maximum 2,000 bar) and over 10 million cycles from 10 to 90% FS. It explains that cavitation, liquid hammer and pressure peaks can occur in hydraulic systems when flow velocity changes, for example a valve closing fast or a pump starting or stopping, on both inlet and outlet sides, and offers the MBS 3050 with an integrated pulse snubber for such duty. [2]
Editorial note: choose a range so normal pressure sits well inside full scale and peaks stay below the stated overpressure limit, and use a snubber or damped version where liquid hammer is expected.
03
Read proof and burst pressure as multiples that change with range
REOTEMP's specification for its TH heavy duty industrial transmitter gives proof and burst pressure as multiples of range that fall as the range rises: 3 × proof and 3.8 × burst for 0/5–0/200 psi, 1.75 × and 4 × for 0/300–0/10,000 psi, 1.5 × and 3 × at 0/15,000 psi, and 1.2 × and 1.5 × for 0/20,000–0/120,000 psi. It lists accuracy (BFSL) of ±0.25% of span, or ±0.11% optional, ±10% zero and span adjustment, 4–20 mA 2-wire output on 12–30 V DC (0–5 V or 1–10 V 3-wire on 14–30 V DC), and a temperature effect of ±0.01% of span per °F on zero and span over a compensated range of 0–80 °C. [4]
Media temperature is −30 to 100 °C and ambient −10 to 85 °C, and the transmitter weighs about 187 g. [4]
Editorial calculation: ±0.01% of span per °F equals ±0.18% of span per 10 K (10 K = 18 °F), close to the 0.2% FS per 10 K maximum thermal shift Danfoss lists for the MBS 3000. [2] On a 0/200 psi unit, 3 × proof is 600 psi and 3.8 × burst 760 psi; on a 0/15,000 psi unit, 1.5 × proof is 22,500 psi. A pressure spike that a low range survives as a multiple of span may exceed the proof limit of a high range, so compare peak pressure with the proof figure for the exact range ordered. [4]
Compare headline accuracy with the total error band
AutomationDirect's specification for the HydroMode WPT25 series pressure transmitter (316L stainless wetted parts, 15–300 psig ranges, 2-wire 4–20 mA, 8–32 V DC, M12 connector, UL classified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and 372 for drinking water) separates static accuracy from total error band (TEB): the static figure covers non-linearity (BFSL), hysteresis and non-repeatability at room temperature, while TEB is the maximum deviation within the specified pressure and temperature range. [3]
The sheet warns that static or dynamic overpressure beyond the overload rating must be avoided and that exceeding the burst pressure even briefly can destroy the unit and cause injury, and notes that outside the specified temperature range the total error increases. These points match the overload and temperature-error checks above. [3][1]
Editorial calculation: on a 0–100 psig unit, ±1.0% FS TEB is ±1 psi across 0–50 °C, four times the ±0.25 psi implied by the static figure; after three years of ±0.3% FS/year drift the possible error could grow by up to a further ±0.9 psi without recalibration.
Ask for the total error band over your actual temperature range (not only static accuracy), long-term stability per year, proof and burst pressure, and the calibration orientation.
05
Size the output loop and connections
For the 4–20 mA two-wire version WIKA gives a maximum load of (auxiliary power − 8 V) ÷ 0.02 A with an 8–30 V DC supply, settling time under 1 ms for ranges of 0.4 bar or more, and ingress protection from IP65 (DIN EN 175301-803 angular connector) to IP67 (M12 connector or moulded cable) when correctly mated. Danfoss lists 4–20 mA, voltage and ratiometric outputs with 9–32 V DC supply. [1][2]
Editorial calculation: with a 24 V supply the WIKA formula allows (24 − 8) ÷ 0.02 = 800 Ω of total loop resistance, including the input resistor of the PLC card and the cable; a long cable run or a second loop device has to fit within that.
06
What to request from a pressure transmitter supplier
Ask any supplier for the full datasheet with accuracy terms and the standard they are measured to, temperature error, overpressure and burst limits, cycle life, output and load, connection and IP rating.
07
Diaphragm, electronics, snubber and connections
The pulse snubber row applies to hydraulic duty, where Danfoss describes liquid hammer and pressure peaks from a valve closing fast or a pump starting or stopping. [2]
From measuring range to total error band: the quotation entries
Give the temperature error and total error band rows as much weight as accuracy: one transmitter on this page goes from ±0.25% FS static to ±1.5% FS total error band over −10 to 80 °C. [3]
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
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Compiled and source-reviewed by the CNFX editorial team.
Each manufacturer above links to the page on that company's own website where the product is listed, with the date we checked it. How we source and review
· Page last updated 13 October 2026
Buyer questions
Is datasheet accuracy the total error?
Not always. WIKA lists temperature error separately (±1% of span from 0 to 80 °C in WIKA's figures) and Danfoss gives thermal shifts per 10 K in addition to accuracy. [1][2]
How much overpressure can a pressure transmitter take?
It varies: WIKA's A-10 allows twice the range from 1.6 bar, and Danfoss's MBS 3000 6× FS static overload. [1][2]
What loop resistance can a 4–20 mA transmitter drive?
WIKA gives (supply − 8 V) ÷ 0.02 A, 800 Ω at 24 V (editorial calculation). [1]
Why is a transmitter's total error band larger than its accuracy?
Static accuracy covers non-linearity, hysteresis and repeatability at room temperature; total error band adds temperature effects across the range. One sheet gives ±0.25% FS static but ±1.0% FS TEB over 0–50 °C. [3]
Is proof pressure the same multiple for every range?
No: REOTEMP's TH transmitter lists 3 × range proof up to 200 psi but 1.5 × at 15,000 psi and 1.2 × above 20,000 psi. [4]
Sources and what still needs a direct check
Sources checked 2026-10-12. WIKA, Danfoss and REOTEMP are pressure transmitter makers and AutomationDirect a seller of its own range; their data sheets give values for their own models and the standards they are measured to.
