Home>Plant, Process & Control>Sensors and instrumentation>Introducing the next generation of pressure measurement devices from ABB
ARTICLE

Introducing the next generation of pressure measurement devices from ABB

17 December 2024

ABB UNVEILS the P-Series, its next-generation pressure transmitters, designed to meet evolving industrial needs with improved accuracy, durability, and digital connectivity, explains Jon Davison

IP&E: Why has ABB decided to update its pressure transmitter range? What have been the main drivers from a technological and market perspective?

Jon Davison: Since their launch in 2009, ABB’s highly successful 2600T family of pressure transmitters have been widely recognised for their performance, precision, quality and reliability in a broad range of industrial applications.

Almost fifteen years on, it’s time to move a step forward and introduce the next generation of ABB pressure transmitters. Building on ABB’s rugged, field proven sensor technologies, they provide an even better fit to customers’ needs with improved functionality, measurement accuracy, new digital capabilities and connectivity options.

The new ABB P-Series of pressure transmitters builds on the proven performance of the 2600T series, with a new product family structured in three easy-to-understand ‘tiers’ that make it easy for customers to specify the right device for their needs. 

IP&E: Tell us more about the three options

JD: There are three options in the family covering a complete range of pressure measurement requirements. The P-100 ‘Essential’ Series is for applications from 3 mbar up to 400 bar and offers the ideal solution for applications including pulp and paper, water/wastewater, and food and beverage. 

Designed for applications up to  1380 bar, the ‘All-Rounder’ P-300 Series is ideal for a wide range of industrial applications including water/wastewater, power, and oil and gas including up and midstream. 

In 2025, these transmitters will be joined by the ‘Top-Tier’ P-500 Series, a high-performance device geared towards the most demanding pressure measurement applications including chemicals and refining as well as oil & gas.

IP&E:​ What have been the main developments? 

JD: The design of all P-Series models retains the existing transmitter housing design, sharing the same form, colour, window etc as 266 series models. So, for example, a front cover from a 266HSH unit can be used on a PGS300.

Building further on the long-proven 2600T heritage, ABB has been able to further boost the performance of P-Series improving both the base measuring accuracy with an industry leading stability of ±0.1% of URL over a 10 year period. 

Other refinements across the range include:

  •  A simplified intuitive HMI (Human Machine Interface) for P-100 and P-300 series with options of backlight for the display and Bluetooth configuration.A smart new HMI with backlit, Bluetooth and touch screen options (P-500). 
  • QR-code printed on the device nameplate (P-100 and P-300) for easy access to key documentation.
  • Incorporation of new digital technologies to support market demands.
  • On-device AUTO ID/RFID plates for P-500 series.

The P-100 and P-300 support a new QR coding option - called Digital Access Diagnostic. This feature enables users to access details including operational messages as well as useful supporting information on the device and its status. It provides suggestions for correcting errors or faulty conditions, as well as details of possible root causes, thus reducing reaction time to issues occurring in the field.

Familiar features such as plugged impulse line detection (PILD) are retained on the P-Series, with more options now offered, such as a Safety Function Check for SIL2 safety applications, plus the option of a Configuration Signature that notifies if any device configuration changes have been made.

Also retained from previous models, the long-standing ABB S26 diaphragm seal design is unchanged for use in applications where these are needed.

IP&E:​ How do these new features help users to digitalise their processes?

JD: Progressive digitalisation across many industrial process industries has had a major influence on the development of the P-series.

The new pressure transmitters feature support for a range of communication protocol technologies, allowing seamless integration into modern process control and automation systems. IO-Link features on the entry-level P-100 series, joined by WirelessHart on the P-300 series and Ethernet APL, Profinet and Modbus OPC UA on the high-end P-500 series. These versatile connectivity options allow customers to get all the data they need while maintaining maximum productivity and running more digitised operations.

Prompt troubleshooting is enabled with the new Digital Advanced Diagnostic (DAD) feature.

IP&E: What are the main benefits of the new range for customers?

JD: The new P-Series covers a broad range of customer application needs with just three device families, simplifying choice and reducing potential confusion about the optimal pressure transmitter solution for a customer’s specific needs.

The improved construction of the new P-series also means it’s now compliant with high-pressure applications, offering the ability to withstand hydrogen permeation and work in highly critical process fluids. Previously handled as a special customer request and now integrated directly into the design, H-Shield is ABB’s proprietary coated diaphragm technology, where the application of a super-hard nanostructured film withstands permeability to hydrogen ions, even at high temperatures, while retaining diaphragm flexibility. This makes our P-Series transmitters ideal for tough process applications with fluids at extreme temperatures, as well as those that are highly corrosive, viscous or laden with solids that can block impulse lines or the transmitter body.

Common accessories such as mounting brackets and manifolds remain the same. The design of the P-300 design offers the same ‘fit, form and function’ as our existing series. This simplifies pressure transmitter upgrades/replacements, allowing removal of an old device and fitting a new P-300 series unit with the same mechanical and electrical connections.

IP&E:​ What are the main benefits of the new range for ABB?

JD: From ABB’s perspective, the new P-series offers our industrial customers a clearer and simpler understanding of the entire ABB pressure transmitters portfolio. With three easy-to-understand product tiers (P-100 ‘Essential’ > P-300 ‘All-rounder’ > P-500 ‘Top Tier’), the P-Series provides the right feature set at the right price point for a wide range of applications, from routine measurements to the most demanding industrial applications.

This rationalisation of our portfolio allows us to tailor our pressure transmitter offering towards specific market segments with dedicated requirements – such as customers demanding extremely high accuracy, high static pressure solutions, advanced materials availability to withstand hydrogen permeation, and highly critical process fluids. 

IP&E: Will ABB continue to support the 266 range? 

JD: From an ABB sales perspective, both our existing 266 series and P-300 pressure transmitters will be available in parallel for customers to order until end of 2025. This gradual phased migration plan will ensure a smooth product portfolio transition and continuity of the related application models. This timeframe will be potentially extended a little longer for certain model variants until the evolution of the complete pressure range is concluded.

Jon Davison is product manager - temperature and pressure at ABB

global.abb

 
OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SECTION
FEATURED SUPPLIERS
 
 
TWITTER FEED