Applications Engineering Ltd

Here at Applications Engineering, we specialise in the supply of high-quality mechanical switches and sensors for a wide variety of industries. Our focus in this blog will be on pressure switches, and how they are an essential piece of equipment for maintaining safety.

From industrial settings to domestic use, pressure switches help make the world a safer place. And given the importance of safety in dangerous workplaces, every piece of equipment that reduces risk is a good thing. But how do pressure switches improve safety?

What a pressure switch does

Let’s first quickly uncover what a pressure switch does. The function of a pressure switch is to deliver electrical feedback when a predetermined fluid pressure is reached. This could be either a rise or fall in pressure. Pressure switches respond to the change in fluid pressure, triggering them to either turn on or off. They act much in the same way as a light switch but the difference is they are triggered to switch rather than being manually turned on or off.

Where can you find pressure switches?

While many workplace safety features are signposted, pressure switches can go under the radar as a safety device. They are commonly found in industrial workplaces to sense when the pressure or vacuum has gone outside the predefined limit. In this situation, the pressure switch is likely to either shut off the power or raise an alarm for workers to be alerted to.

When pressure levels rise or fall beyond a set scope, they can damage equipment which in turn can put the people working nearby at risk, making a pressure switch an invaluable accident prevention measure. Pressure switches are also found in everyday locations, such as in office or apartment lifts, which operate under hydraulic pressure.

How pressure switches maintain safety

Pressure switches maintain safety by turning off or alerting people of a pressure change. For example, a furnace pressure switch can detect negative pressure during its start-up which then shuts the furnace down if there is low pressure. This could be due to a leak, and it should be investigated before the pressure is returned to working levels.

Air compressors are another example of why a pressure switch is an essential safety device. Using an electronic pressure switch, the motor is switched off on an air compressor when the desired threshold has been met. If this switch wasn’t in place, the tank could exceed a safe pressure level which can result in damaged components, or worse, an exploding tank.

In the case of a common lift in offices, shopping malls or residential flats, pressure switches constantly monitor the pressure levels in the hydraulic cylinder. This ensures that if the pressure drops too low, the lift’s power is cut and it won’t be operating at an unsafe pressure level which otherwise might cause it to hurtle towards the ground.

Considerations when choosing a pressure switch

Given their significant role in maintaining safety, you must choose the right pressure switch for the job. From selecting the right type of pressure switch to ensuring it is calibrated to measure the correct pressure levels, it is an important step in ensuring continued safety.

Here at Applications Engineering, we are perfectly placed to advise you on which pressure switch meets your needs. For simple monitoring systems, we offer single pole single throw switches, while for more complicated and advanced requirements we offer a range of single pole double throw switches.

Pressure switches at Applications Engineering

We are proud to supply high-quality pressure switches to a wide range of industries. Not only do we supply pressure switches, but we also provide fire sprinkler valve systems, level switches and flow sensors. If you would like to know more about which type of pressure switch you need or you have any queries about our other products, do not hesitate to get in contact.