German sensor specialist SICK has launched a new generation of its high-performance PTA ceramic pressure sensors, designed to offer greater resilience, precision, and digital connectivity for a range of industrial environments.
The Bluetooth-enabled PTA pressure sensor is engineered to withstand pressure spikes and handle sticky or highly viscous media, making it suitable for demanding processes such as dosing, filling, and hydrostatic measurement. Built with a fully welded stainless steel measurement cell and available with either a thin film or ceramic membrane, the sensor is designed for durability and resistance to aggressive media.
Certified for both hygienic and hazardous environments, the PTA sensor range includes models approved under EHEDG and 3A standards for hygienic use (PTAM), as well as ATEX EX certification for explosive atmospheres. The dual hygiene and EX ratings make the device suitable for sectors such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and distilling.
Nick Hartley, SICK’s Market Product Manager for Instrumentation & Distance, said the PTA sensor represents a new level of flexibility in industrial pressure measurement. “The PTA ceramic pressure sensor is dynamic, robust, and flexible. It can satisfy multiple applications, from the general to the highly specific. The combination of analogue output, switching output, IO-Link, and Bluetooth connectivity is unique on the market, and makes it easy to use day to day, particularly when paired with our user-friendly SICK Smart Assistant App,” he said.
With measurement ranges between -1 and +1000 bar, accuracy of ±0.3%, and operating temperatures from -40°C to +130°C, the PTA offers a wide range of configuration options. Users can choose between analogue and digital outputs, and benefit from integrated IO-Link and Bluetooth connectivity for real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and configuration via mobile devices using SICK’s Smart Assistant App.
The sensor’s modular design includes threaded, front flush, and hygienic process connections, alongside a 360° multi-colour LED status indicator for at-a-glance visibility. Installation is intended to be quick and simple, with optional accessories such as siphon tubes for high-temperature applications.
The PTA’s rugged construction and advanced integration position it as a versatile solution for industries ranging from automotive and packaging to pharmaceuticals, food processing, and renewable energy.
Hartley added that the use of a ceramic measuring cell offers significant advantages in performance and longevity. “Ceramic pressure sensors are very robust and resistant to damage from static pressure shocks,” he said. “The rugged PTA sensor is particularly suited to applications where pressure surges are frequent, and where both hygiene and safety standards are paramount.”
