A gage pressure sensor is a bonded, foil strain gauge-based pressure sensor designed to measure applied pressure referenced to sealed atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure in a gage pressure sensor, which is sealed to prevent moisture and other air particles from entering the sensor, always reflects the atmospheric pressure on the day of manufacture, as opposed to the current or other date.

A gage pressure sensor operates in the same way as a bonded, foil strain gauge-based pressure sensor. As pressure is applied to a diaphragm, pressure is transmitted to a gauged element via a mechanical connection, such as a bolt. As the gauged element is deflected, strain gauges, which are bonded to the element, reflect this as a change in resistance. The bridge circuit identifies the resulting change in electrical resistance as a change in applied pressure to the sensor. Consult the Pressure Reference Chart to compare how the various pressure sensors reference pressure.

Silicon Versus Bonded Foil Sensor Comparison Chart