BOriginal New Pressure Sensor With Display IFM PN7015 Sensitive Sensing and Precise Control

The IFM PN7015 is an electronic pressure monitor with an integrated digital display, engineered for applications where vacuum and low positive pressure must be monitored reliably in a compact form factor. It covers a measuring range from -1…6 bar (vacuum to low pressure) and is suitable for both liquids and gases, making it a versatile choice for pneumatic systems, vacuum handling, cooling circuits and light-duty hydraulics. 

Built around a ceramic-capacitive measuring cell, gold-plated contacts and a stainless-steel process connection, the PN7015 offers high long-term stability and excellent overload resistance. It provides two independently configurable switching outputs, one of which can be used as an IO-Link communication interface, turning the device into a smart sensor for Industry 4.0 applications. 

Key Technical Data – IFM PN7015

Measurement technology and sensing performance

The heart of the PN7015 is a ceramic-capacitive diaphragm. When the process pressure changes, the ceramic element deflects slightly, causing a change in capacitance that is converted to a digital signal. Ceramic offers high resistance to many fluids, excellent long-term stability and very low hysteresis compared with simple metal diaphragms. 

The device is engineered for relative pressure with full vacuum capability, which means it can monitor conditions from deep vacuum up to 6 bar positive pressure. This range is well suited for compressed air preparation, vacuum ejector monitoring and low-pressure hydraulic circuits. The sensor can tolerate substantial overload: the housing is rated for 40 bar continuous pressure, with a burst rating up to 100 bar, providing a wide safety margin against pressure spikes. 

Accuracy is controlled tightly. Switch point deviation is kept below roughly half a percent of the measuring span, with repeatability in the region of one tenth of a percent. Temperature coefficients for zero and span are limited so that the sensor maintains reliable switching behaviour even as the machine warms up or ambient conditions vary. 

Switching outputs, IO-Link and control integration

Instead of a simple mechanical contact, the PN7015 provides two fully electronic switching outputs. Each channel can be configured as PNP or NPN and as normally open or normally closed, allowing direct connection to a wide range of digital inputs and safety circuits. The maximum continuous load current per output reaches up to 150 mA, with higher permissible values at lower ambient temperatures, and switching frequencies up to around 170 Hz. 

One of these outputs can be used as an IO-Link port, turning the sensor into a smart field device. Via IO-Link COM2 at 38.4 kBaud, the controller can read a high-resolution 16-bit pressure value, device status bits and switching information, and can access diagnostic and identification blocks defined by the Smart Sensor profile. 

A few practical consequences of IO-Link integration:

• Parameter sets (switching thresholds, units, delays, damping) can be stored in the PLC and automatically downloaded to a replacement sensor.

• Process values are transmitted digitally, eliminating analogue signal drift and immunity issues.

• Diagnostic data, such as device status or internal error flags, can be read centrally, simplifying maintenance. 

If IO-Link is not used, the PN7015 operates in standard SIO mode as a conventional dual-output electronic pressure switch, ensuring backward compatibility with traditional control panels. 

Protection features include reverse-polarity protection, pulsed short-circuit protection and overload monitoring, so the device can survive common wiring mistakes and transient faults without damage.

Display concept and on-site operation

The front of the PN7015 features a four-digit alphanumeric display that can show the process value in bar, psi or MPa, accompanied by green LEDs indicating the active unit. Yellow LEDs signal the switching state of each output. The main display uses a red/green colour scheme so operators can instantly see whether the measured value is inside or outside the acceptable range. 

Three pushbuttons provide access to setup functions directly on the device. Users can define:

• Set and reset points for each output, either in hysteresis or window mode.

• Output behaviour (NO/NC and switching logic).

• Time delays for switch-on and switch-off, up to 50 seconds.

• Damping of the displayed value and internal process signal, up to 4 seconds, to smooth pulsating pressure.

• Display units and other presentation options. 

The upper housing can be rotated by approximately 345°, so the display can be oriented towards the operator even in cramped manifolds or control cabinets. 

Mechanical design and environmental robustness

Mechanically, the PN7015 uses a G 1/4 internal thread as the process connection, making it easy to integrate into existing pneumatic and hydraulic blocks without special fittings. Recommended tightening torques between 25 and 35 Nm help ensure leak-free installation while protecting the sensor body. 

Wetted parts are made from 316L stainless steel, ceramic and FKM sealing material, while the housing uses reinforced PBT and PC composites. This combination offers good chemical resistance for typical industrial fluids and high mechanical stability. The sensor is designed for at least 100 million pressure cycles, with shock resistance up to 50 g and vibration resistance up to 20 g across a broad frequency spectrum. 

Environmental ratings of IP65 and IP67 (with a suitable M12 connector) allow use in dusty or wet environments, including machine areas subject to splashing, condensed moisture or periodic cleaning. The specified ambient and medium temperature range from -25 to 80 °C covers most indoor industrial conditions, from cool workshops to warm machine housings. 

Compliance with EMC standards, relevant shock and vibration tests, and UL approval underline the suitability of the PN7015 for global OEM use. 

Typical applications

Given its measurement range, vacuum capability and smart outputs, the IFM PN7015 fits particularly well into:

• Vacuum handling systems – monitoring suction level in vacuum cups and ejectors, ensuring safe part pick-up before motion starts.

• Compressed air preparation and distribution – supervising pressure after filters and regulators, with IO-Link feedback for energy monitoring and diagnostics.

• Cooling and lubrication circuits – checking pump discharge pressure in machine tools, forming presses and packaging lines.

• Light-duty hydraulic systems – controlling low-pressure hydraulic circuits or auxiliary functions where the 6 bar range and high overload rating are sufficient.

• General factory automation – serving as a universal pressure switch with display for OEM machinery and skid systems.

In each of these roles, the same hardware can be parameterised differently, allowing machine builders to standardise on one sensor type across multiple platforms.

Benefits and summary

For OEMs and system integrators, the IFM PN7015 pressure sensor with display offers:

• A wide working range from full vacuum to 6 bar.

• Two freely configurable electronic outputs with IO-Link capability on one channel.

• A bright red/green display and clear status LEDs for rapid on-site diagnosis.

• Robust mechanical and electrical design with long service life and high overload capacity. 

Plant operators gain a compact device that can act simultaneously as a pressure switch, local indicator and smart sensor node for digitalised production. This combination of ceramic-capacitive measurement, integrated display, dual switching outputs and IO-Link communication makes the PN7015 a strong choice wherever reliable vacuum and low-pressure monitoring is essential for keeping machines running safely and efficiently.