An absolute pressure sensor is a bonded, foil strain gauge-based pressure sensor designed to measure applied pressure referenced to sealed, vacuum or absolute zero pressure.
An absolute 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
| Silicone-based Pressure Sensor | Bonded, Foil Strain Gauge-based Pressure Sensors | |
| psi | Up to 10,000 psi | Up to 300,000 psi |
| Temperature | Up to 240º F | Up to 400º F |
| Overload Capability | Up to 400% | Up to 50% |
| Low Pressure Applications | Down to 0.3 psi (10 inches of water) | Down to 1 psi |