APPLICATIONS
Pressure Sensors for Water Treatment Plants
Protect membranes, trigger backwash at the right moment and keep pump stations healthy. PRESS SPEC differential pressure transducers and pressure transmitters are built for wet, 24/7 plant environments.
KEY MEASUREMENTS
Three Measurements That Run a Water Plant
Filter Bed Differential Pressure
A clogging filter shows up as rising differential pressure across the bed. Differential pressure transducers in the 0-50 kPa range trigger backwash at the right moment — saving water, energy and media life.
Reverse Osmosis Membrane Protection
Membranes fail when feed pressure, differential pressure across the membrane, or brine pressure runs outside spec. Monitoring feed pressure up to 2.5 MPa and membrane differential pressure protects the most expensive asset in the train.
Pump Station Pressure Monitoring
Discharge pressure on borehole, booster and transfer pumps confirms pump health, detects line blockages or bursts, and feeds pressure-based pump sequencing into the SCADA system.
MEASUREMENT POINTS
Where to Measure in a Treatment Train
| Location | What to Measure | Typical Range | Recommended Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter inlet vs outlet | Differential pressure across filter bed | 0-50 kPa | Differential pressure transducers |
| RO feed line | Feed pressure before membrane train | 0-2.5 MPa | Pressure transmitters |
| Across RO membranes | Membrane differential pressure | 0-100 kPa | Differential pressure transducers |
| High-pressure pump discharge | Pump outlet pressure | 0-2.5 MPa | Pressure transmitters |
| Distribution main | Network pressure for leak detection | 0-1.6 MPa | Pressure transmitters |
| Storage tank | Hydrostatic level via bottom pressure | 0-100 kPa | Pressure transducers |
Ranges shown are typical for municipal and industrial plants — every configuration is calibrated to your exact span before shipment.
SPECIFICATION TIPS
Specifying Sensors for Water Treatment
The right specification starts with the measurement point, not the catalog. Ask what the signal is for — SCADA trending, backwash control, membrane protection or pump interlock — and the range, output and accuracy grade follow naturally. A filter differential pressure signal that drives backwash needs a true differential transducer; a pump discharge signal that drives an interlock needs a 4-20mA transmitter with a fast, reliable response.
4-20mA for SCADA
Two-wire 4-20mA transmitters travel long distances without signal loss and interface directly with PLC and SCADA analog inputs. The PT200 series adds HART for remote configuration and diagnostics.
Wetted Materials
316L stainless steel wetted parts resist corrosion from treated water, chlorine residuals and cleaning chemicals. PT400 flush-diaphragm models handle sludge and viscous media without clogging.
Sealed for Wet Plants
IP65 is the minimum for plant rooms; IP67 protects sensors in pits, pump stations and washdown areas. Specify cable glands and connectors rated for damp environments.
Stable Zero Point
Process control in water treatment runs 24/7. PT100 at 0.5%FS and PT200 at 0.1%FS hold zero over temperature swings, so backwash triggers and pump setpoints stay accurate between calibrations.
RECOMMENDED
Recommended for Water Treatment
Differential Pressure Transducers
Filter bed and membrane differential pressure monitoring in the 0-50 kPa range.
View product →Pressure Transmitters
4-20mA two-wire transmitters for feed, discharge and distribution pressure up to 2.5 MPa.
View product →Pressure Transducers
Voltage-output transducers for local monitoring, tank level and OEM pump skids.
View product →FAQ
Water Treatment Questions
Why measure differential pressure on filters instead of single pressure?
A single gauge cannot show when the bed is clogging. Differential pressure across the filter rises steadily as solids accumulate, giving a clean, absolute trigger for backwash — regardless of flow or supply pressure changes.
What range do I need for RO membrane monitoring?
Feed pressure transmitters typically cover 0-2.5 MPa for municipal RO systems, and the differential pressure across membrane stages is usually 0-100 kPa. Confirm your pump curve and membrane manufacturer limits and we size both.
Can your sensors connect to our SCADA system?
Yes — 4-20mA two-wire output connects directly to standard analog input cards, and RS485 is available for digital networks. HART on the PT200 series supports remote range and diagnostic queries.
Do you make sensors for aggressive water treatment chemicals?
316L wetted parts cover most plant conditions. For specific chemical exposure, send the media composition and we confirm material compatibility or propose a PT400 flush-diaphragm configuration.
How do I protect sensors in a flooded pump station?
Choose IP67-rated housings, install the sensor above potential flood level where possible, and use sealed cable glands. Transmitters are available with IP67 as standard on the PT100 and PT200 families.
Spec Out Your Water Treatment Monitoring
Send your filter, membrane or pump details — get a differential pressure and transmitter configuration with pricing within 24 hours.