E&H PMC51 pressure transmitter

E&H PMC51 pressure transmitter

Overview

The Endress+Hauser Cerabar M PMC51 digital pressure transmitter represents a proven solution for absolute and gauge pressure measurement across process and hygienic industries. Engineered with a capacitive, oil-free ceramic measuring cell, this transmitter delivers reliable pressure, level, volume, and mass measurements in liquids and gases. The Cerabar PMC51 is a strong fit for demanding industrial environments requiring consistent performance under harsh conditions, including vacuum, corrosive, and abrasive media.

Unlike conventional pressure transmitters that rely on oil-filled metal cells, the PMC51 features a dry ceramic sensor made from 99.9% Al₂O₃ (Ceraphire). This innovative design eliminates position sensitivity and condensation issues while providing superior overload resistance and vacuum-proof operation.

Key Features at a Glance

Oil-free ceramic sensor (Ceraphire) – No contamination risk, ideal for hygienic and sensitive applications

Vacuum-proof ceramic membrane – Withstands 0 mbar absolute without performance degradation

Integrated membrane breakage detection – Enables immediate failure notification

Modular platform – Interchangeable display and electronics modules across Cerabar M, Deltabar M, and Deltapilot M families

Flexible communication – 4–20 mA analog, 4–20 mA HART, PROFIBUS PA, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, and IO-Link

SIL2 functional safety – Certified according to IEC 61508 / IEC 61511

Technical Specifications

Performance Specifications

All performance characteristics conform to ≥ ±3 sigma confidence levels, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency across all PMC51 production units.

Measuring Ranges and Pressure Limits

Environmental and Process Conditions

Electrical and Communication

For users implementing Industry 4.0 strategies, the PMC51 also supports IO-Link communication specification Version 1.1 (COM2 speed, 38.4 kBaud), enabling seamless data integration into digital factory automation ecosystems.

Wetted Materials and Process Connections

Process connection types available:

Threads: G½–G2, R½, MNPT½–MNPT1½

Flanges: DIN DN25–DN80, ASME 1″–4″, JIS 10K

Hygienic connections: Tri-Clamp, DIN11851, DIN11864-1, NEUMO, Varivent, N, SMS, DRD

Order Code Configuration — Deep Dive into PMC51-AA11JB1CDBACJA

Endress+Hauser employs a structured order code system that enables precise specification of each PMC51 transmitter. The order code PMC51-AA11JB1CDBACJA is a fully configured device, with each character group representing a specific selection:

PMC51 — Cerabar M digital pressure transmitter with oil-free ceramic sensor, absolute and gauge pressure measurement

AA — Approval/Certification: Standard (non-hazardous area) version
1 — Output: 4–20 mA HART
1 — Display/Operation: Without LCD, push button operation on electronics module
J — Housing: F31 aluminum housing
B — Electrical Connection: Thread M20 x 1.5 gland
1 — Process Connection: Thread G½ (female)
C — Sensor Range: Measuring cell 1 bar/14.5 psi
D — Calibration: Custom calibration (specific to order)
B — Seal Material: Viton
A — Additional Options: Standard (no special options)
C — Customer-Specific: Configuration per request
J — Language/Region: English documentation, specific regional configuration
A — Firmware/Software Version: Standard version

This configuration is ideally suited for general industrial pressure monitoring applications in non-hazardous environments, offering a robust aluminum housing and HART communication.

Additional PMC51 Configurations in Market

The flexibility of the PMC51 platform is reflected in the variety of field-ready configurations available. Here are several real-world PMC51 order codes, each optimized for different application scenarios:

PMC51-AA11JD1PGFR1JK — 4–20 mA HART output, F31 aluminum housing, LCD display, G½ thread, Viton seal

PMC51-AA12ID1FGFU7JA — Non-hazardous approval, 4–20 mA output, without LCD, F31 aluminum housing, NPT½ electrical connection

PMC51-AA21RA1PGBRLJA — 4–20 mA HART, 10 bar/150 psi gauge range, M20 gland, LCD display, IP66/IP68 rated

PMC51-AA21JA1SGJCXJA — 4–20 mA HART output, 40 bar max working pressure, supply voltage 11.5–45 V DC

PMC51-FA21JD1HGFR1JAAA — With LCD display, 0–15 psi range, ±0.1% accuracy, 10.5–30 V DC power supply

PMC51-AA22QA1PDJGCJA — Platinum accuracy (±0.075%), standard 0.1% baseline, 100 mbar–40 bar measuring cell

PMC51-AA11SI1CGETDJN — Specialized configuration with extended electronics features

PMC51-FD21JD1KGJRKJA — Hygienic application variant with enhanced surface finish

PMC51-AA21SD1KGJTDJNAA — High-end configuration for demanding process conditions

The broad range of order codes — from PMC51-AA11JD1PGFR1JK to PMC51-FA21RD2SDFRLJSAAF1 — demonstrates the Cerabar PMC51’s adaptability across industries including oil and gas, chemical processing, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and water treatment.

Field of Application

The Cerabar PMC51 is engineered for absolute and gauge pressure measurement in:

Process industries — Chemical reactors, distillation columns, filtration systems

Hygienic applications — Food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology

Level measurement — Hydrostatic level in open and closed tanks, volume and mass calculation

Vacuum applications — Down to 0 mbar absolute with ceramic membrane integrity

Corrosive and abrasive media — Chemical dosing, slurry handling, mining operations

High-temperature processes — Up to 130°C continuous, 150°C for 1 hour without remote seal

For high-temperature applications beyond the PMC51’s native range, Endress+Hauser recommends the PMP55 with temperature isolator or capillary. For applications with strong vibrations, the PMC51 or PMP51 with separate housing provides optimal stability.

Certifications and Approvals

The PMC51 series carries a comprehensive portfolio of global certifications, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions:

The design complies with IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 standards for SIL2-rated process pressure monitoring, making the PMC51 suitable for safety instrumented systems (SIS).

Advantages of the Oil-Free Ceramic Sensor

The PMC51’s capacitive ceramic sensor offers distinct benefits over traditional metal diaphragm transmitters:

1. True Vacuum Capability— The ceramic membrane maintains integrity at 0 mbar absolute, eliminating the risk of cell implosion common in oil-filled metal sensors under deep vacuum.
2. Contamination-Free Measurement— With no oil fill, there is zero risk of process contamination from fill fluid leakage. This is critical for pharmaceutical, food, and biotech applications.
3. Position Insensitivity— The absence of fill oil means the transmitter delivers identical readings regardless of mounting orientation, simplifying installation and reducing calibration requirements.
4. Overload Resistance— The ceramic sensor withstands pressures up to 60 bar (900 psi) — well beyond the rated measuring range — without permanent damage or zero-point shift.
5. Condensation Resistance— The dry measuring cell design prevents internal condensation, a common failure mode in humid environments or applications with wide temperature swings.
6. Abrasion and Corrosion Resistance— The 99.9% Al₂O₃ ceramic (Ceraphire) resists chemical attack and mechanical abrasion far better than thin metal diaphragms, extending service life in aggressive media.

Commissioning and Operation

The PMC51 features a Quick Setup menu with adjustable measuring range, enabling simple commissioning without specialized tools. The device can be configured via:

Local display (optional) with intuitive menu-guided operation

4–20 mA HART using handheld communicator or PC-based configuration tools (FieldCare, DeviceCare)

PROFIBUS PA or FOUNDATION Fieldbus for integrated plant automation systems

IO-Link for digital parameterization and diagnostic data access

Endress+Hauser’s FLEX product selection framework categorizes PMC51 variants across four tiers: Fundamental (basic measurement tasks), Lean (core process handling), Extended (optimization with innovative technologies), and Xpert (demanding applications). This structure helps specifiers match device capabilities to application requirements.

Physical Specifications

Certifications and Compliance

The PMC51 is compliant with:

CE marking — Conforms to relevant European directives

RCM — Regulatory compliance for Australian and New Zealand markets

EAC — Eurasian Conformity certification

PED — Pressure Equipment Directive (for European pressure applications)

Documentation and Support

Endress+Hauser provides comprehensive technical documentation for the Cerabar PMC51 series:

Technical Information (TI00436PEN_3224-00) — Complete specifications, dimensions, and ordering information

Operating Instructions (BA00385PEN_2122-00) — Installation, commissioning, and maintenance procedures

SIL Safety Manual (SIL_00419_01) — Functional safety implementation guidelines

Device Type Manager (DTM) — For integration with FieldCare and DeviceCare configuration tools

All documentation is available for download from the Endress+Hauser product portal.