In Search of a Better Pressure Transducer

At FarmHQ, reliability is our number one priority. Recently, we’ve identified issues with the pressure transducers included in our kits, and we’re committed to resolving them. Read on to learn about how pressure transducers work, what can cause them to fail, and how we’re imrpoving the durability of our pressure monitoring system to make FarmHQ even more reliable for our customers.
How Pressure Transducers Work
A typical pressure transducer contains a piezoelectric crystal, which creates an electrical voltage when under physical stress. When pressure is applied, it produces a voltage signal proportional to the applied force. These signals allow FarmHQ to monitor water pressure and ensure that irrigation systems run smoothly. However, pressure transducers can fail when subjected to extreme conditions, such as freezing temperatures, physical impact, or water hammer events. These failures can result in incorrect readings—such as zero pressure, excessively high pressure, or noisy data—which can trigger false notifications and create unnecessary interruptions for farmers.

Why Pressure Transducers Fail
We’ve found that some pressure transducers in our kits failed to meet the rigorous demands of farm operations. The most common causes of failure included:
- Freezing Temperatures: Ice formation can cause excessive pressure, damaging the transducer.
- Water Hammer: Sudden pressure spikes caused by rapid changes in flow conditions can overload the sensor.
- Physical Impact: Mishandling during installation or operation can compromise the sensor’s internal components.
These issues can lead to unreliable readings that disrupt the accuracy of FarmHQ systems.

How We're Improving
We’ve taken several steps to address the problem and ensure our customers receive reliable performance:
Testing Alternative Brands: We have evaluated a range of different pressure transducer manufacturers to identify more robust options, and have settled on a manufacturer offering higher quality sensors at comparable prices.
Increasing Pressure Range: We’ve switched to transducers with a higher dynamic pressure range to withstand the extreme conditions created by water hammer.
Implementing Protective Measures: By integrating internal screens and pressure snubbers in some cases, we’re able to further mitigate the effects of water hammer events and other pressure surges. We now include pressure snubbers in all installation kits.
Free Replacements: To support our customers, we’ve implemented an automated system that detects pressure transducer failures. When a failure is identified, we immediately ship a replacement unit at no cost to the customer.

Our Commitment
If you’ve experienced issues with your FarmHQ kit, we want to hear from you. While our automated system should address most cases, we encourage you to reach out if you continue to encounter problems. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your irrigation system runs seamlessly, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
We’re grateful for your trust in FarmHQ and are working hard to make things right. By addressing these challenges head-on, we’re confident we can provide an even better experience for our farming community.