What Is a Non-Contact Pressure Sensor?
A non-contact pressure sensor measures internal pressure without penetrating the container or pipeline. It uses advanced acoustic methods to detect pressure changes through external surfaces. Unlike conventional gauges, our sensors work non-invasively, making them ideal for sealed or high-risk systems.
You can monitor pressure continuously, detect gas loss, and measure even small shifts in resonant frequency, all without disrupting operation.
This capability supports industries that demand high safety and long-term stability, from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to energy, aerospace, and chemical processing.
How Do Non-Invasive Pressure Indicators Work?
Each Coltraco sensor detects changes in pressure by analysing the container’s natural resonant frequency. As pressure increases or decreases, the tension within the container walls changes, affecting the frequency at which the system vibrates.
Our sensors measure these subtle shifts and convert them into precise pressure readings.
Combined with temperature calibration, this method delivers unmatched accuracy. Our technology compensates for heating, cooling, or environmental variation, giving you a dependable reading regardless of conditions.
You don’t need to interrupt your system or drain containers. These sensors connect externally, meaning you can monitor oil, gas, or air under pressure without removing safety caps or disassembling units.
What Makes Coltraco’s Pressure Sensors Different?
Our non-invasive pressure monitoring systems offer:
- Direct measurement through acoustic response
- Compatibility with various pressure ranges and container materials
- Calibration for different temperatures and system behaviours
- Accurate signal output across industrial and medical applications
- Compliance with global pressure monitoring standards
With no internal parts exposed to corrosive agents or physical wear, these sensors deliver long-term durability and are ideal for repeated use in demanding environments. They are also suitable for portable use and permanent installations alike.
Acoustic Pressure Monitoring: A Proven Method
Acoustic pressure monitoring is based on physics principles that analyse vibration, frequency, and displacement. This method detects pressure by exciting natural resonant frequencies and measuring their return in pressurised cylinders or containers.
As internal pressure changes, so does the frequency.
When temperature is accounted for, this technique allows you to determine the remaining contents, gas or liquid precisely. This method monitors everything from industrial fire suppression agents to medical gases and oil-based systems.
The approach is non-invasive, cost-effective, and capable of detecting even minor leaks long before other systems would react.
What About Continuous Monitoring?
Our technology isn’t just for point-in-time checks. Coltraco sensors support continuous monitoring, meaning you can track trends, detect gradual pressure loss, and ensure compliance with safety requirements over time.
This helps you:
- Identify early leaks
- Maintain pressure within safe operating limits
- Prevent failure of critical systems
- Meet audit and regulatory standards
We also offer mass-based monitoring solutions, such as the PermaMass® FEATHERWEIGHT system. This unit converts weight changes into temperature-adjusted pressure readings, allowing you to track pressurised gas content with exceptional accuracy, ideal for systems where mass changes directly reflect internal conditions.
Where Are These Sensors Used?
Coltraco’s non-contact pressure sensors are trusted in a wide range of national and global applications, including:
- Healthcare: Track blood pressure devices, respiratory gases, and anaesthesia systems
- Pharmaceuticals: Maintain pressure in sterile manufacturing environments
- Food and Beverage: Monitor carbonation and liquid pressure in sealed containers
- Power Generation: Support pressurised gas use in boilers, turbines, and heating systems
- Oil and Gas: Monitor pressure and detect corrosion without system exposure
- Environmental Monitoring: Measure pressurised emissions and manage greenhouse gases
- Aerospace: Ensure the safe pressurisation of fuel, oxygen, and air systems
- Transportation & Refrigeration: Control systems using pressurised gas or refrigerants
In all cases, the technology offers a combination of accuracy, safety, and regulatory alignment, whether you’re measuring psi, flow rate, or long-term pressure loss.
How Is This Technology Used in Fire Suppression?
Non-invasive pressure monitoring is vital in gas fire suppression systems, including those using Inergen™, Argon, or CO₂. These systems protect critical infrastructure such as data centres, control rooms, and occupied spaces.
Monitoring the pressure inside a fire suppression cylinder ensures it contains enough gas to meet discharge requirements during an emergency. If pressure drops, even slightly, the system might not release the correct volume to extinguish a fire.
Standards like ISO 14520 and NFPA 2001 specify that cylinders must be checked regularly, and any pressure drop over 5% should trigger refilling or replacement. Coltraco’s sensors detect loss far before this threshold, alerting you early and helping prevent system failure.
Our acoustic pressure sensors also work noninvasively, meaning there is no interruption to your fire system’s operation and no risk of releasing gas during testing.
Why Choose Non-Contact Monitoring?
Using non-contact pressure monitoring gives you:
- A safer, non-invasive testing method
- Accurate data without disassembling or breaching systems
- Continuous insight into pressure, temperature, and contents
- Reduced service time and compliance risks
- Protection for sealed, hazardous, or inaccessible containers
- Suitable performance in variable temperatures or corrosion-prone environments
This approach also reduces the total cost of ownership by avoiding component wear, seal degradation, or false readings commonly seen with traditional pressure gauges and physical probes.
What Industries Benefit Most?
Our non-invasive pressure sensors are widely adopted in:
- Clean agent fire suppression
- Cryogenic gas storage
- Medical and pharmaceutical packaging
- Liquid and gas distribution systems
- Experimental pressure analysis in laboratories
- Differential pressure tests across filters or valves
- Hydrostatic pressure monitoring under varying temperatures
Our technology offers a superior alternative wherever accurate measurement and safe testing are essential.
How Does Coltraco Ensure Accuracy?
All Coltraco sensors are manufactured in the UK, calibrated to the highest standards, and validated across real-world use cases. Each unit is built to withstand industrial pressures, temperature variation, and material stresses.
We combine resonant frequency analysis, digital signal processing, and precision calibration to produce repeatable, trusted data. Our systems are also software-enabled, making it easy to log, analyse, and report readings for regulatory compliance or performance tracking.
Speak to Coltraco Today About Non-Contact Pressure Monitoring
If you want to improve safety, reduce downtime, or achieve better data from your pressurised systems, Coltraco can help. Our non-invasive pressure sensors are designed for critical applications across sectors.
Whether you manage inert gas fire suppression, compressed air systems, or medical pressure vessels, we’ll provide a solution that fits your environment and regulatory needs. Gas pressure specifically needs external pressure testing. Our products offer amazing results, using only the features you want and need!
Get in touch today to request a product demo, technical advice, or a tailored quotation.