PPS52 Harsh Media Board Mount Pressure Sensor
The PPS52 harsh media pressure sensor is a fully compensated MEMS sensor designed for OEM equipment requiring direct PCB integration, media isolation, and reliable pressure measurement in demanding environments. It provides simultaneous 15-bit I²C digital and 0.5–4.5 V ratiometric analog outputs in a compact board-mount package.
Available in 15, 100, 300, and 500 PSI pressure ranges, the PPS52 supports both gauge and absolute pressure measurement and operates from -40°C to +150°C. A ceramic pressure port isolates the on-board electronics from the measured media, while a silicon, glass, and ceramic wetted path supports pressure measurement with liquids, air, and gases.
Harsh Media Pressure Sensor for Liquid, Air, and Gas
Many board-level pressure sensors are intended primarily for clean, dry media. The PPS52 uses a media-isolated sensing architecture with wetted materials limited to silicon, glass, and ceramic, allowing pressure measurement with liquids, air, and gases while keeping the on-board electronics isolated from the measured media.
This construction makes the PPS52 well suited for OEM fluid systems, pneumatic equipment, water monitoring, HVAC and refrigeration equipment, automotive systems, and other applications where pressure measurement must be integrated directly into the electronic assembly.
Media compatibility should always be evaluated for the specific fluid or gas, concentration, temperature, pressure, seal material, and operating environment.
Key Features of the PPS52 Harsh Media Pressure Sensor
- Dual output: 15-bit I²C digital and 0.5–4.5 V ratiometric analog
- Pressure ranges: 15, 100, 300, and 500 PSI
- Pressure reference: Gauge or absolute
- Accuracy options: ±2.5%, ±1.0%, and ±0.25% FS
- Operating temperature: -40°C to +150°C
- Harsh-media wetted path: Silicon, glass, and ceramic
- Electrical connection: Five spring contacts for solderless PCB integration
- Proof pressure: 2× full scale
- Burst pressure: 5× full scale
- Electrical protection: Supply overvoltage and reverse-polarity protection to 40 V
- ESD protection: 4 kV Human Body Model
- Made in USA
Analog and I²C Outputs in One Board Mount Pressure Sensor
The PPS52 provides analog and digital pressure outputs simultaneously, giving OEM designers flexibility in how pressure data is used within the final system.
The 0.5–4.5 V ratiometric output provides a familiar interface for analog controllers and data-acquisition electronics, while the 15-bit I²C interface allows pressure data to be read directly by a microcontroller or embedded control system.
The digital interface supports I²C clock frequencies up to 400 kHz. The standard slave address is 0x28, with alternate addresses available for OEM configurations. Engineers developing an I²C interface can reference the NXP I²C-bus specification and user manual for additional information about I²C system design.
Simplified Board-Level OEM Integration
The PPS52 is designed to simplify both mechanical and electrical integration into the customer’s product. Five spring contacts mate directly with pads on the customer PCB, eliminating the need to solder the sensor contacts directly to the board and supporting efficient OEM assembly.
On the pressure side, a radial O-ring seal allows the ceramic inlet to interface with the customer’s housing or manifold. The customer housing supports the O-ring and creates the pressure connection to the sensor.
The MEMS sensing element is mechanically decoupled from the high-Tg FR-4 substrate to help reduce assembly-related offset shifts.
PPS52 Harsh Media Pressure Sensor Applications
The combination of harsh-media capability, board-level packaging, dual electrical outputs, and a wide operating temperature range makes the PPS52 suitable for a variety of OEM pressure measurement applications, including:
- Pneumatic systems and industrial automation
- Water pressure and water level monitoring
- HVAC and air-conditioning equipment
- Refrigeration systems
- Automotive transmission pressure
- Fuel and oil pressure measurement
- Exhaust gas pressure monitoring
- Air-brake systems
- Portable measurement and analysis instruments
- Medical diagnostic and analysis equipment
- Embedded pressure monitoring and control systems
Engineers working with refrigeration and HVAC equipment can reference ASHRAE refrigeration resources for additional information on refrigeration systems, refrigerants, standards, and engineering practices.
Pressure Measurement from -40°C to +150°C
The PPS52 operates across a broad -40°C to +150°C temperature range, with accuracy specifications varying by temperature range and selected accuracy grade.
Standard, high-accuracy, and ultra-accuracy configurations are available, with accuracy options down to ±0.25% full scale from -15°C to +125°C. Applications operating in the extended temperature regions should be reviewed against the appropriate accuracy specification in the PPS52 datasheet.
For additional background on pressure metrology, engineers can reference NIST Pressure and Vacuum Metrology.
Choosing the Right Phoenix Sensors Board-Level Pressure Sensor
Phoenix Sensors offers multiple board-level pressure sensing platforms for different electrical, mechanical, and media requirements.
If your design requires an uncompensated ceramic pressure sensing element and the OEM electronics will perform the signal conditioning, explore the PPS50 Board Level Ceramic Pressure Sensor.
For compact applications requiring SPI or I²C digital communication, the PPS34 Board Level Digital Pressure Sensor provides another board-level option.
The PPS52 is designed for applications where engineers need the combination of harsh-media isolation, integrated compensation, analog and I²C outputs, high-temperature operation, and solderless board-level integration.
Explore our complete range of OEM pressure sensors for additional pressure ranges, electrical outputs, packages, and application-specific configurations.
Configure the PPS52 for Your OEM Application
The PPS52 can be configured around the requirements of OEM production programs. Available options include custom pressure calibration, alternate I²C addresses, customized analog clipping limits, and application-specific configurations.
Phoenix Sensors supports OEM customers from initial sensor selection and prototype development through production. For applications requiring additional modifications or a sensor designed around specific system requirements, learn more about our custom sensor capabilities.
