PCB® designs and manufactures high-quality piezoelectric pressure sensors tailored for a wide variety of testing applications across multiple industries. For precise dynamic pressure measurements, piezo-type pressure sensors incorporate self-generating sensing elements made from quartz, tourmaline, ceramic, or the advanced UHT-12™ material.

Our extensive commercial line of piezoelectric pressure sensors covers a broad measurement range, from extremely low pressures below 0.001 psi to very high pressures exceeding 100,000 psi. One of the distinct advantages of piezoelectric pressure sensors is their ability to detect small pressure fluctuations, such as fluid-borne noise, even when operating under high static pressure conditions.

Piezoelectric pressure sensors are generally classified into two categories based on their output: charge mode or ICP® voltage mode. Charge mode sensors are typically used for higher temperature environments above 275 °F (135 °C), with several models capable of operating in an extended temperature range from -400 °F (-240 °C) up to +1400 °F (+760 °C). These sensors produce a high-impedance charge signal (pC/psi) that requires connection to specialized low-noise cables and charge amplifiers. On the other hand, ICP® pressure sensors feature built-in microelectronic signal conditioners, which provide a low-impedance voltage output signal (mV/psi).

These sensors operate efficiently using an economical constant-current signal conditioner or can be connected directly to readout instruments equipped with an internal constant-current source. Due to their rugged design, these sensors perform reliably in challenging conditions, including dirty environments, underwater settings, and extensive field test applications involving long cable runs. Overall, ICP® sensors are ideally suited for nearly all dynamic pressure measurement needs within temperature ranges of -320 to +275 °F (-196 to +135 °C).