Pneumatic Pressure Switch

Pneumatic Pressure Switch is a device that uses pneumatic air to operate a pressure control element in a flow circuit of a chemical process. The pneumatic pressure switch combines a pressure sensing element and a control valve to produce a switching device with an adjustable set point. The assembly is non-electric, using only air or inert gas in the switch unit. The assembly consists of two components, a switch unit and a transducer unit. The transducer unit senses the pressure of a wide variety of liquids or gases and transmits a mechanical movement, at the preset pressure level, to the switch unit. The switch unit contains a mechanically actuated, control valve which provides the output signals.

Construction:
Pneumatic Pressure Switch consists of following main parts: Controller Pneumatic air regulator Actuator Decompression Spring Control Valve

Working:
Pneumatic Pressure Switch works when actuator that is forced to move when the pneumatic air causes adequate downward pressure. The pneumatic air is directed to the actuator from a supply, regulated by a controller. The controller regulates the air supply according to the signal transmitted by the transducer. The downward motion of the actuator plate causes the control valve to close as per requirement. The reverse of this motion happens when the controller stops the air flow into the actuator. The recompression spring coils back & opens up the control valve. The control valve then allows the process flow without any hindrance. The pneumatic switch is calibrated to control the process flow accordingly. The preset values provided to the controller help generating a signal in accordance with the disturbance. The air supplied to the actuator is predetermined. So that it can only reduce the flow for the required extent.

Applications:
Industrial applications of the pneumatic pressure switch are: Pressure Vessels of all kind HVAC Plants Industrial compressors Gas storage tanks Critical flow lines Steam Power Plants

Symbol:

Pneumatic Pressure Control Station:

Under consideration is a flow of steam through a pipe. The flow rate of steam is needed to be decreased. A pneumatic pressure switch is installed to do the operation. The operation starts when the controller senses the high flow rate of steam. It is supplied with an intake of pneumatic air at certain pressure. The controller senses the requirement of the situation & allows the air to feed in the pneumatic switch to manipulate it. The control valve associated with the pneumatic switch regulates the flow of steam & hinders it. The described operation is described as follows in the schematic diagram.