Pressure measurement for safety-critical applications

Variohm EuroSensor’s SMO3100 series pressure sensors are offered with SIL 2/PLd functional safety. Targeted at safety-critical pressure measurement jobs for gas and liquids compatible with stainless steel or titanium wetted parts, the new device gives users the ability to satisfy SIL2 functional safety levels on machines and systems. The robust and durable sensor series is offered in 20 pressure range versions from 0.5 to 5000 bar and with best accuracy to 0.5% F.S.

Based on a piezo-resistive sensing element and latest ASIC circuitry and offering high precision linearity and repeatability, the sensor features a 4…20mA output from a 10VDC to 32VDC supply. Its high strength 304 stainless steel housing provides outstanding durability in challenging industrial machinery applications. Standard environmental protection satisfies IP67, and IP69K is optionally offered. With the standard version’s proven use in demanding environments including motorsports, off-road vehicles, construction equipment and agricultural machinery, the sensor possesses a high shock and vibration resistance together with a generous over-range and burst pressure specification of 2x and 5x respectively. Rated life is ten million pressure cycles, and 100-year MTTFd factor confirms its excellent endurance. The device incorporates a measuring medium temperature range of -40C to +125C with a compensated range from -20C to +85C.

The sensor version brings DIN EN ISO 13849-1 Performance Level d (PLd), facilitating ECU and other safety controlled systems to satisfy IEC 61508, 61511 and 62061 standards for SIL 2 functional safety on machines and system. The sensor detects internal failures within a predefined diagnostic range for its output signal. Internal failures include broken bond wires, internal EEPROM errors and internal watchdog errors.