At a Glance. The WIKA A-10 and the WIKA S-20 are both general-purpose industrial pressure transmitters with 4-20 mA / voltage outputs — but they sit at opposite ends of the performance ladder. The A-10 is the compact, cost-optimised workhorse (non-linearity 0.25 % or 0.5 %, ranges to 1,000 bar) for machine building and hydraulics. The S-20 is the premium instrument with non-linearity down to 0.125 %, ranges to 1,600 bar and the widest variant coverage for harsh process environments. The rule: standard machine/plant duty and cost control → A-10; demanding accuracy, aggressive media or R&D-grade repeatability → S-20. For hygienic food/pharma duty, WIKA adds the sanitary S-10-3A as a third path.
1. Head-to-Head Specification Table
| Specification | A-10 (standard) | S-20 (premium) |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring range | 0…0.05 to 0…1,000 bar | 0…0.4 to 0…1,600 bar |
| Non-linearity | 0.25 % or 0.5 % | up to 0.125 % of span |
| Output signals | 4…20 mA, 0…10 V, 0…5 V and others | 4…20 mA, 0…10 V, 1…5 V and others |
| Electrical connection | Angular form A/C, M12×1, 2 m cable | DIN 175301-803 A and market standards |
| Process connection | G ¼ (DIN EN ISO 1179-2), ¼ NPT and others | Common international connections |
| Certifications | cULus, EAC | Per variant (wide coverage) |
| Positioning | Compact, extremely competitive price | Robust, exceptional variant count |
| Typical applications | Machine building, hydraulics, pneumatics, pumps | Critical industrial, process industry, R&D |
| Stock pages | A-10 | S-20 |
2. The Deciding Factor: Accuracy vs Price
Both transmitters ship with a free test certificate, but the performance ceiling differs by a factor of two: the A-10 offers 0.25 % or 0.5 % non-linearity, while the S-20 reaches 0.125 %. For a hydraulic press or a pump skid, 0.5 % is almost always plenty — and the A-10's compact form and aggressive pricing make it the default choice where cost per measurement point matters. The S-20 earns its premium where a reading feeds a billing meter, a batch recipe or a laboratory record, and where an extra 0.1 % of span error is simply not acceptable.
3. Secondary Selection Criteria
- Robustness: the S-20 is specified for harsh environments — outdoor cold, shock and vibration in machine building, and aggressive media in the chemical industry — with extended temperature-range options. Choose it where the sensor sees real abuse.
- Range coverage: the S-20 tops out at 1,600 bar versus 1,000 bar for the A-10; very high-pressure applications point to the S-20.
- Hygienic duty: neither A-10 nor S-20 is a sanitary device. For food, beverage, pharma and cosmetics, the 3A-approved S-10-3A (flush 316L diaphragm, Tri-Clamp, CIP/SIP, media to 177 °C) is the correct WIKA choice — do not fit a general-purpose transmitter on a hygienic line.
- Lead time: the S-20 has substantial ready stock across variants; the A-10 wins on immediate availability of the most common ranges and connections.
4. Selection Summary
| Your requirement | Recommended transmitter |
|---|---|
| Machine building, hydraulics, pneumatics, pump skids | A-10 |
| Demanding accuracy (0.125 %), R&D, process industry | S-20 |
| Harsh environment, aggressive media, >1000 bar | S-20 |
| Hygienic / sanitary (food, pharma, cosmetic) | S-10-3A |
| Lowest cost per point, standard ranges | A-10 |
5. Replacement and Cross-Reference
Typical replacement patterns:
- Legacy compact transmitters from other suppliers: the A-10 is a like-for-like swap when you match range, output, process connection (G ¼ vs NPT) and electrical connector form.
- Premium transmitter upgrades: when a standard unit drifts or fails repeatability audits, upgrade to the S-20 — match span, non-linearity class and output before ordering.
- Sanitary line retrofits: replace legacy flush-mount transmitters with the S-10-3A, confirming Tri-Clamp size (¾", 1.5" or 2") and media temperature class.
Send Glorient the old transmitter model, the range and the process connection, and we will return the closest in-stock WIKA equivalent within one business day.
6. FAQ
Can I use the A-10 in a food plant?
Only on the utility side. For product-contact pressure or level on hygienic lines, use the 3A-compliant S-10-3A with a flush 316L diaphragm and Tri-Clamp connection — a general-purpose A-10 or S-20 is not designed for CIP/SIP hygiene.
What does non-linearity 0.125 % actually buy me?
It halves to quarters the span error of a 0.25 %/0.5 % unit, which matters when the signal drives metering, recipe control or traceable records. For on/off process control it usually makes no practical difference — which is why the A-10 remains the volume choice.
Do both transmitters output 4-20 mA?
Yes — both offer 4…20 mA plus DC voltage outputs. Confirm the output type and any customer-specific pin assignment at order time, especially on the S-20 which supports many configurations.
Need a quote? Browse in-stock WIKA pressure and temperature instrumentation — transmitters, gauges and temperature measurement — or send your instrument list for a same-week quotation.