Explosion-Proof Digital Display Pressure Transmitter with RS485
1. Why You Need It
In hazardous areas, operators need both a safe instrument and the ability to read and transmit pressure digitally. This explosion-proof transmitter combines a local digital display with RS485 digital communication, so technicians can read pressure on-site while the control system receives a robust digital signal. With a 316L wetted design, IP67 protection and 0.5%/0.25% precision, it provides safe, visible, digitally-connected pressure measurement for gas and liquid lines in classified locations.
2. Working Principle
The sensor measures process pressure and converts it to a 4-20 mA signal, with 0-5 V and 0-10 V options. The explosion-proof enclosure protects the electronics from the hazardous atmosphere, while the integrated digital display shows the pressure locally. RS485 communication transmits the measured value digitally over a serial bus, enabling multi-drop networking and direct integration with PLC, SCADA and monitoring systems.
3. Key Advantages
- Explosion-proof enclosure
- Integrated digital display
- RS485 digital communication
- 4-20 mA / 0-5 V / 0-10 V output
- 316L stainless steel wetted parts
- IP67 protection
- 0.5% / 0.25% FS precision
- 0 to 1000 psi range
- 1/2 inch NPT connection
- Gas and liquid media
Common Pain Points & Solutions
| Problem | Conventional Issue | Our Solution | Result |
|---|
| Hazardous-area measurement | Standard transmitters unsafe | Explosion-proof enclosure | Safe operation in classified areas |
| Need local + digital reading | Local-only or remote-only | Digital display + RS485 | Both local and network access |
| Multi-drop networking | Analog point-to-point only | RS485 serial bus | Multi-instrument networking |
| Corrosion in process | Standard materials corrode | 316L wetted parts | Long life in process media |
Application Cases
Industry: Oil & Gas
Application: Wellhead pressure monitoring
Medium: Oil / gas
Pressure Range: 0-1000 psi
Operating Temperature: -20 to 80 °C
Installation Environment: Hazardous wellhead
Customer Challenge: Safe digital pressure data
Previous Problem: Unsafe or analog-only
Solution: Explosion-proof RS485 transmitter
Installation Location: Wellhead
Result: Safe, networked monitoring
Industry: Chemical
Application: Process line pressure
Medium: Chemical / solvent
Pressure Range: 0-60 bar
Operating Temperature: 10-100 °C
Installation Environment: Classified process area
Customer Challenge: Local read + remote data
Previous Problem: No local display
Solution: Digital display + RS485
Installation Location: Process line
Result: Local and remote visibility
Industry: Storage
Application: Tank pressure monitoring
Medium: Process gas
Pressure Range: 0-30 bar
Operating Temperature: -10 to 60 °C
Installation Environment: Tank farm
Customer Challenge: Multi-point monitoring
Previous Problem: Point-to-point wiring
Solution: RS485 multi-drop network
Installation Location: Tank manifold
Result: Cost-effective multi-point
Industry: Utility
Application: Compressed gas system
Medium: Compressed air / gas
Pressure Range: 0-16 bar
Operating Temperature: 0-50 °C
Installation Environment: Utility area
Customer Challenge: Visible + networked pressure
Previous Problem: Remote-only reading
Solution: Display transmitter, RS485
Installation Location: Gas header
Result: Visible and connected
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|
| Protection | Explosion-proof |
| Display | Digital display |
| Communication | RS485 |
| Output | 4-20 mA / 0-5 V / 0-10 V |
| Precision | 0.5% / 0.25% FS |
| Wetted Material | 316L stainless steel |
| Protection Rating | IP67 |
| Process Connection | 1/2 inch NPT |
FAQ
Q: What makes this transmitter explosion-proof?
The transmitter uses an explosion-proof (flameproof) enclosure that contains any internal ignition and prevents it from reaching the surrounding hazardous atmosphere. This allows safe operation in classified areas where flammable gases or vapors may be present, subject to the transmitter's certification and the area classification.
Q: Does it have a local display?
Yes, it has an integrated digital display that shows the measured pressure locally. This lets operators and technicians read the pressure at the point of measurement without a separate indicator or a trip to the control room, which is especially valuable during commissioning and troubleshooting.
Q: What is RS485 communication?
RS485 is a robust serial communication standard that allows multiple instruments to be connected on a single bus (multi-drop) over long distances. The transmitter transmits its measured pressure digitally over RS485, enabling direct integration with PLC, SCADA and monitoring systems, and reducing wiring compared to point-to-point analog connections.
Q: What output signals are available?
The transmitter offers 4-20 mA, 0-5 V and 0-10 V analog outputs in addition to RS485. The 4-20 mA loop is standard for process control, the voltage outputs suit data acquisition, and RS485 provides digital networking — giving flexibility for different system interfaces.
Q: What is the measurement range?
The measurement range is 0 to 1000 psi (approximately 0 to 60 bar), covering typical industrial gas and liquid pressure applications. The span is configured for the specific process, and the transmitter is calibrated so the output corresponds to the required range.
Q: What wetted materials are used?
The wetted parts are 316L stainless steel, providing good corrosion resistance for gas and liquid process media. 316L is the standard for general and mildly corrosive service, offering a balance of corrosion resistance, strength and cost.
Q: What is the protection grade?
The housing is IP67 rated, protecting against dust ingress and temporary water immersion. This makes the transmitter suitable for outdoor and washdown installations in industrial and hazardous environments.
Q: How is it installed?
The transmitter is installed via its 1/2 inch NPT process connection into the pressure tap, with the electrical connection made through the appropriate hazardous-area cable gland. The RS485 bus and analog output are wired to the control system, and the instrument is ranged for the application.
Q: Can multiple transmitters share one bus?
Yes. RS485 is a multi-drop bus, so multiple transmitters can be connected to a single network, each with a unique address. This significantly reduces wiring and I/O cost in applications with many measurement points, such as tank farms and wellhead monitoring.
Q: Where is it used?
It is used in oil and gas wellheads, chemical process lines, tank farms and compressed gas systems in hazardous areas. It suits applications needing a safe, explosion-proof instrument with both local digital display and networked RS485 communication.
