Technical Application Overview: Eaton CE16518H01 Fire Pump Controller Pressure Sensor Transducer

What the CE16518H01 is (and where it fits)

Eaton CE16518H01 is an OEM pressure sensor/transducer assembly used with Eaton fire pump controllers, commonly referenced in the field as the controller’s system pressure sensor. In Eaton controller architectures that use an analog pressure input (not a mechanical pressure switch), this device provides the controller with the live discharge/system pressure value the logic uses for functions such as automatic start, automatic stop (when permitted/configured), pressure-related alarms, and event logging.

Eaton’s LMR Plus fire pump controller documentation describes this arrangement directly: the controller is “equipped with a pressure sensor,” provides a dedicated pressure connection, and displays the actual pressure on the controller’s LCD. (Source)

Practical takeaway: if you’re commissioning, troubleshooting nuisance starts, validating pressure readings, or restoring accurate pressure display/alarming on an Eaton controller that uses a sensor input, CE16518H01 is the field-replaceable sensing element you’re dealing with.

Signal type and measurement role

Field listings for CE16518H01 consistently describe it as a 4–20 mA pressure transducer intended for Eaton fire pump controller service. For example, industrial supply channels identify the device as a transducer used for fire pump controllers. (Source)

A closely associated identifier is DWYER 197072-00, which is commonly cross-referenced in electrical distribution catalogs under the Eaton CE16518H01 umbrella. (Source) Independent distribution data also ties the 197072-00 item to a 0–600 psig pressure range in fire pump controller application contexts. (Source)

Because these assemblies are frequently sourced as OEM service parts, you should treat the transmitter nameplate (or OEM documentation shipped with the part) as the final authority for the exact range/variant used in your controller.

Typical pressure range and how to validate it safely

You’ll see mixed range statements in reseller listings. To keep your work code-compliant and technically defensible, validate range as follows:

Read the transducer label (range, output, excitation/supply requirements).
Confirm the controller’s pressure settings scale and allowable setpoint ranges in the controller UI.
Verify the controller’s own documentation notes that the maximum operating pressure for the sensor and internal plumbing is called out on the controller nameplate. (Source)

This matters because your start/stop points, high-pressure alarm, and any acceptance test expectations must be set within the sensing system’s valid operating envelope.

Mechanical interface and installation context in Eaton controllers

In Eaton LMR Plus documentation, the controller provides a dedicated system pressure connection located on the bottom exterior of the enclosure, and the connection is intended to be installed per NFPA 20 guidance. (Source)

Key application notes that map to what technicians see in the field:

The controller displays actual pressure on the LCD. (Source)
Start/stop pressure setpoints are programmable in the controller. (Source)
The controller includes a Pressure Sensor Enabled/Disabled setting; if disabled, pressure-based setpoints and alarms are removed from menus and alternate start inputs must be used. (Source)

That last point is critical for troubleshooting: many “bad pressure sensor” calls are actually configuration states, wiring issues, or plumbing restrictions/contamination issues upstream of the sensor.

Functional uses inside the controller (application behavior)

When enabled and functioning correctly, the pressure transducer supports controller behaviors such as:

Automatic start initiation when sensed pressure drops to (or below) the programmed start threshold. (Source)
Pressure display for operator awareness and test documentation. (Source)
Pressure-related alarms (low/high), recorded in controller history. (Source)
Optional features such as hourly pressure recording (where implemented/configured). (Source)

In practice, this makes CE16518H01 not just a sensor—it’s a control input that influences the entire automatic operating sequence and the audit trail (history/diagnostics) used during inspections and post-event analysis.

Common application environments

You’ll encounter CE16518H01 in the same environments where Eaton fire pump controllers are specified: commercial buildings, industrial sites, and other protected occupancies. Eaton positions its fire pump controller product line for life safety contexts requiring adherence to stringent fire protection and electrical expectations. (Source)

Typical real-world deployments include:

High-rise and campus water-based fire protection systems
Warehouses and manufacturing sites with high-value contents
Hospitals and institutional facilities where loss of water-based suppression is unacceptable

Practical installation and commissioning best practices

For experienced field techs, the key is treating the transducer like both an instrument and a fire protection control component.

Mechanical / piping

Ensure the sensing line and fittings are clean and flushed—controller documentation cautions about contamination in the water lines to the pressure device. (Source)
Install per applicable NFPA 20 requirements for sensing lines and isolation arrangements (as allowed). (Source)

Electrical / signal integrity

Confirm the controller analog input is configured for the correct sensor mode and that Pressure Sensor = Enabled when pressure-based operation is required. (Source)
For a 4–20 mA loop: verify loop continuity, correct polarity, and stable supply/excitation per the transducer’s nameplate and controller wiring diagram.

Functional validation

Compare controller-indicated pressure against a calibrated test gauge at the same point.
Exercise controlled pressure reduction (within safe test parameters) to validate start point recognition, alarm thresholds, and recovery to normal pressure display.

Replacement/compatibility notes you’ll see in the field

Service channels commonly describe CE16518H01 as an Eaton OEM replacement for older pressure transducer part numbers used on Eaton fire pump controllers, and often sold as an assembly including a bulkhead fitting. (Source)

Because controller model families and production years vary, always confirm:

Controller model and vintage
Existing transducer part number
Connector style and mounting/bulkhead arrangement
Range and output requirements (per label/documentation)

Typical failure modes and field symptoms

Pressure reads fixed high/low (or clearly wrong): open loop, short, miswire, failed transmitter, or blocked sensing line.
Nuisance starts / hunting: air in sensing line, partially restricted line, unstable system pressure due to check valve behavior, or noisy analog signal.
Pressure alarms that don’t correlate with gauges: calibration drift, scaling mismatch, wrong range transmitter, or wrong controller configuration.

A fast discriminator is usually to compare with a known-good gauge, confirm pressure sensor enable/config state, and check loop current (mA) under known pressure conditions.

Resources: Eaton product family and technical support

Eaton fire pump controller product family: Eaton Fire Pump Controllers
Eaton general customer support: Eaton Customer Support
Eaton fire pump controller agents/contacts: Eaton Agent Locations (USA)

Important accuracy note

CE16518H01 is widely represented as an OEM 4–20 mA pressure transducer used with Eaton fire pump controllers, and it’s commonly cross-referenced to a DWYER identifier and a 0–600 psig class of transmitter in distribution channels. (Source)

Reseller listings can be inconsistent on exact range. For fully defensible documentation, record the range/output directly from the transducer nameplate and, where applicable, the controller nameplate guidance on maximum operating pressure. (Source)