Different Types of Transducers - Characteristics, Classification, Applications PDF

2/3/2020 Different Types of Transducers | Characteristics, Classification, Applications
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Di erent Types of Transducers |

Characteristics, Classi cation,
Applications
APRIL 16, 2019 BY RAVI — LEAVE A COMMENT
In this tutorial, we will learn about Transducers, Di erent Types of Transducers, their
characteristics and a few important applications of transducers.
You might have heard of the terms like Sensors and Transducers, often frequently, sometimes
confusingly interchangeably. There are di erent views and de nitions of sensors and
transducers. According to one set of de nitions, a Sensor is an element that senses changes in
input energy and produces an output in the same or di erent form of energy.
https://www.electronicshub.org/types-of-transducers/ 1/18
Coming to a Transducer, it uses the principle of Transduction to convert the measurand into a
usable output. Based on these de nitions, a Piezoelectric Crystal is the Sensor whereas a
Piezoelectric Crystal with electrodes and some sort of input/output mechanism attached to it
makes it a Transducer.
Table of Contents 
1. What are Transducers?
1.1. Sensor
1.2. Transducer
2. Sensors and Actuators
3. Classi cation of Transducers
4. Classi cation based on Physical E ect
4.1. Classi cation based on Physical Quantity
4.2. Classi cation based on Source of Energy
4.3. Active Transducers
4.4. Passive Transducers
5. Characteristics of Transducers
5.1. Static Characteristics
5.2. Dynamic Characteristics
6. Di erent Types of Transducers
6.1. Mechanical Transducers
6.2. Electrical Transducers
7. Applications of Transducers
7.1. Electromagnetic
7.2. Electromechanical
7.3. Electrochemical
7.4. Electroacoustic
7.5. Photoelectric
7.6. Thermoelectric
7.7. Radioacoustic
8. Related Posts:
What are Transducers?

Before understanding what a transducer is or diving into the di erent types of Transducers,
consider the following setup of a measuring system. In this block diagram of a simple
measuring system, there are three basic elements:
Sensor
Signal Conditioning Unit
Data Representing Device
Sensor
A Sensor is a device that is used to detect changes in any physical quantity like Temperature,
Speed, Flow, Level, Pressure, etc. Any changes in the input quantity will be detected by a
Sensor and re ected as changes in output quantity.
Both the input and output quantities of a Sensor are Physical i.e. non-electrical in nature.
Signal Conditioning Unit
The non-electrical output quantity of the Sensor makes it inconvenient to further process it.
Hence, the Signal Conditioning Unit is used to convert the physical output (or non-electrical
output) of the sensor to an electrical quantity.
Some of the best known Signal conditioning units are:
Analog to Digital Converters

Ampli ers
Filters
Recti ers
Modulators
Data Representation Device
A Data representation device is used to present the measured output to the observer. This can
be anything like
A Scale
An LCD Display
A Signal Recorder
Transducer
In the above example, consider a Strain Gauge as the Sensor. Any changes in the strain will
re ect as changes in its resistance. Now, in order to convert this change in resistance into
equivalent voltages, you can use a simple Wheatstone Bridge circuit, which acts as the Signal
Conditioning Unit.
The combination of Strain Gauge (Sensor) and Wheatstone Bridge (Signal Conditioning Unit) is
Known as a Transducer.
Generally speaking, a Transducer is a device that converts one form of energy into another by
the principle of Transduction. Usually, a signal in one form of energy is converted to a signal in
another form by a Transducer.
From the above example, a Transducer is a device that converts a Physical Quantity into an
Electrical Quantity.
Sensors and Actuators

From the above de nition, actually, both Sensors, devices that responds to a physical quantity
with a signal and Actuators, devices that respond to signals with physical movement (or similar
action) can be considered as Transducers.
For example, a Microphone is a Sensor, which converts sound waves into electrical signals and
a Loudspeaker is an Actuator, which converts electrical signals into audio signals.
Both Microphone and Loudspeaker are Transducers in the sense that a microphone converts
sound energy into electrical energy and a loud speaker converts electrical energy into sound
energy.
Classi cation of Transducers

There are several ways in which you can classify transducers that include but not limited to
the role of the transducer, structure of the transducer or the phenomena of their working.
It is easy to classify transducers as Input Transducers or Output Transducers, if they are treated
as simple signal converters. Input Transducers measure non-electrical quantities and convert
them into electrical quantities.
Output Transducers on the other hand, work in the opposite way i.e. their input signals are
electrical and their output signals are non-electrical or physical like force, displacement,
torque, pressure etc.
Depending on the principle of operation, transducers can also be classi ed into mechanical,
thermal, electrical, etc.
Let us see the classi cation of transducers based on the following three ways:
Physical E ect
Physical Quantity
Source of Energy
Classi cation based on Physical E ect

The rst classi cation of Transducers is based on the physical e ect engaged to convert the
physical quantity to electrical quantity. An example, is the change in resistance (physical
quantity) of a copper element in proportion to the change in temperature.
The following physical e ects are generally used:
Variation in Resistance
Variation in Inductance
Variation in Capacitance
Hall E ect
Piezoelectric E ect
Classi cation based on Physical Quantity

The second classi cation of Transducers is based on the physical quantity converted i.e. the
end use of the transducer after the conversion. For example, a Pressure Transducer is a
transducer that converts pressure into electrical signal.
Following is small list of transducers classi ed based on the physical quantity and
corresponding examples
Temperature Transducer – Thermocouple

Pressure Transducer – Bourdon Gauge

Displacement Transducer – LVDT (Linear Variable Di erential Transformer)
Level Transducer – Torque Tube
Flow Transducer – Flow Meter
Force Transducer – Dynamometer
Acceleration Transducer – accelerometer
Classi cation based on Source of Energy

Transducers are also classi ed based on the source of energy. Under this category, there
usually two types of transducers:
Active Transducers
Passive Transducers
Active Transducers
In Active Transducers, the energy from the input is used as a control signal in the process of
transferring energy from power supply to proportional output.
For example, a Strain Gauge is an Active Transducer, in which the strain is converted into
resistance. But since the energy from the strained element is very small, the energy for the
output is provided by an external power supply.
Passive Transducers
In Passive Transducers, the energy from the input is directly converted into the output. For
example, a Thermocouple is a passive transducer, where the heat energy, which is absorbed
from input, is converted into electrical signals (voltage).
Characteristics of Transducers
The performance characteristics of a Transducer are key in selecting the best suitable
transducer for a particular design. So, it is very important to know the characteristics of
transducers for proper selection.
Performance characteristics of transducers can be further classi ed into two types:
Static Characteristics
Dynamic Characteristics
Static Characteristics
The static characteristics of a transducer is a set of performance criteria that are established
through static calibration i.e. description of the quality of measurement by essentially
maintaining the measured quantities as constant values of varying very slowly.
Following is a list of some of the important static characteristics of transducers.
Sensitivity
Linearity
Resolution
Precision (Accuracy)
Span and Range
Threshold
Drift
Stability
Responsiveness
Repeatability
Input Impedance and Output Impedance
Dynamic Characteristics
The dynamic characteristics of transducers relate to its performance when the measured
quantity is a function of time i.e. it varies rapidly with respect to time.
While static characteristics relate to the performance of a transducer when the measured
quantity is essentially constant, the dynamic characteristics relate to dynamic inputs, which
means that they are dependent on its own parameters as well as the nature of the input signal.
The following are some dynamic characteristics that may be considered in selection of a
transducer.
Dynamic Error
Fidelity
Speed of Response
Bandwidth
Overall, both static and dynamic characteristics of a Transducer determine its performance
and indicate how e ectively it can accept desired input signals and reject unwanted inputs.
Di erent Types of Transducers

Basically, the two di erent types of Transducers are Mechanical Transducers and Electrical
Transducers. Mechanical Transducers are those which responds to changes in physical
quantities or condition with mechanical quantity. If the physical quantity is converted to an
electrical quantity, then the transducers are Electrical Transducers.
Mechanical Transducers
As mentioned earlier, mechanical transducers are a set of primary sensing elements that
respond to changes in a physical quantity with a mechanical output. As an example, a
Bimetallic Strip is a mechanical Transducer, which reacts to changes in temperature and
responds with mechanical displacement. The mechanical transducers are di erentiated from
electrical transducers as their output signals are mechanical.
The output mechanical quantity can be anything like displacement, force (or torque), pressure
and strain. For any measuring quantity, there can be both mechanical and electrical
transducers.
For example, we have seen Bimetallic Strip, which is a mechanical transducer and is used to
react to changes in temperature. In contrast, a Resistance Thermometer, also reacts to
changes in temperature, but the response is a change in resistance of the element. Hence, it is
an electrical transducer.
The following table shows a small list of mechanical transducers for measuring di erent
quantities and responds with mechanical signal.
Quantity to be Mechanical Type of Output Signal

Measured Transducer (Mechanical)
Bimetallic Strip Displacement and Force

Temperature
Fluid Expansion Displacement and Force
Ring Balance
Displacement
Manometer
Pressure Metallic Diaphragms Displacement and Strain
Capsules and Bellows Displacement
Membranes Displacement
Force Spring Balance Displacement and Strain
Hydraulic Load Cell Pressure
Column Load Cell Displacement and Strain
Dynamometer Force and Strain
Gyroscope Displacement
Torque
Spiral Springs Displacement
Torsion Bar Displacement and Strain
Flow Obstruction
Strain and Pressure
Flow Rate Element
Pitot Tube Pressure
Manometer Displacement
Liquid Level
Float Elements Displacement, Force and Strain
Electrical Transducers
As mentioned earlier, electrical transducers are those that respond to changes in physical
quantities with electrical outputs. Electrical Transducers are further divided into Passive
Electrical Transducers and Active Electrical Transducers.
The following table lists out a few electrical transducers (both passive and active).
Passive Resistance Thermometers

Electrical
Resistive Displacement Transducers
Transducers
Resistive Transducers Resistive Strain Transducers
Resistive Pressure Transducers
Resistive Moisture Transducers
Capacitive Moisture Transducers
Capacitive Transducers Capacitive Displacement Transducers
Capacitive Thickness Transducers
Inductive Transducers Inductive Displacement Transducers
Inductive Thickness Transducers
Eddy-Current Inductive Transducers
Moving core Inductive Transducers
Active Photoconductive Transducers

Electrical
Photoelectric Transducers Photoemissive Transducers
Transducers
Photovoltaic Force Transducers
Piezoelectric Strain Transducers
Piezoelectric Acceleration Transducers
Piezoelectric Transducers Piezoelectric Pressure Transducers
Piezoelectric Torque Transducers
Piezoelectric Force Transducers
Magnetostrictive Acceleration
Transducers
Magnetostrictive
Transducers Magnetostrictive Force Transducers
Magnetostrictive Torsion Transducers
Tachometers
Electromechanical Electrodynamic Pressure Transducers
Transducers
Electrodynamic Vibration Transducers
Electromagnetic Flowmeters
Ionization Transducers Ionization Vacuum Gauge
Ionization Displacement Transducers
Nuclear Radiation Transducers
Radioactive Vacuum Gauge
Radioactive Level Gauge
Radioactive Thickness Gauge
Electrochemical
Transducers
Hall-E ect Transducers
Thermoelectric
Transducers
Applications of Transducers
Electromagnetic
Antennas
Hall-E ect Sensors
Disk Read and Write Heads
Magnetic Cartridges
Electromechanical
Accelerometers
Pressure Sensors
Galvanometers
LVDT
Load Cells
Potentiometers
MEMS
Linear and Rotary Motors
Air Flow Sensors
Electrochemical
Hydrogen Sensors
Oxygen Sensors
pH Meters
Electroacoustic
Speakers (Loudspeakers, earphones)
Microphones
Ultrasonic Transceivers
Piezoelectric Crystals
Sonar
Tactile Transducers
Photoelectric
LED
Photodiodes
Photovoltaic Cells
Laser Diodes
Photoresistors (LDR)
Phototransistors
Incandescent and Fluorescent Lamps
Thermoelectric
Thermistors
Thermocouples
RTD (Resistance Temperature Detectors)
Radioacoustic
Radio Transmitters and Receivers
G-M Tube (Geiger-Muller Tube)
Related Posts:
Introduction to Sensors and Transducers
What are Biosensors? Principle, Working, Types and…
Instrumentation Ampli er Basics and Applications
What are MEMS Sensors? Types, Applications
Wheatstone Bridge | Working, Examples, Applications
Digital Voltmeter using 8051 Microcontroller
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2/3/2020 Different Types of Transducers | Characteristics, Classification, Applications

HOME PROJECTS MINI PROJECTS ARDUINO FREE CIRCUITS TUTORIALS SYMBOLS

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Di erent Types of Transducers |

What are Transducers?

Signal Conditioning Unit

Some of the best known Signal conditioning units are:

Analog to Digital Converters

Data Representation Device

Sensors and Actuators

Classi cation of Transducers

Classi cation based on Physical E ect

The following physical e ects are generally used:

Classi cation based on Physical Quantity

Temperature Transducer – Thermocouple

Pressure Transducer – Bourdon Gauge

Classi cation based on Source of Energy

Performance characteristics of transducers can be further classi ed into two types:

Following is a list of some of the important static characteristics of transducers.

Di erent Types of Transducers

Quantity to be Mechanical Type of Output Signal

Bimetallic Strip Displacement and Force

Pressure Metallic Diaphragms Displacement and Strain

Capsules and Bellows Displacement

Force Spring Balance Displacement and Strain

Hydraulic Load Cell Pressure

Column Load Cell Displacement and Strain

Dynamometer Force and Strain

Torsion Bar Displacement and Strain

Pitot Tube Pressure

Passive Resistance Thermometers

Resistive Transducers Resistive Strain Transducers

Resistive Pressure Transducers

Resistive Moisture Transducers

Capacitive Moisture Transducers

Capacitive Transducers Capacitive Displacement Transducers

Capacitive Thickness Transducers

Inductive Transducers Inductive Displacement Transducers

Inductive Thickness Transducers

Eddy-Current Inductive Transducers

Moving core Inductive Transducers

Active Photoconductive Transducers

Photovoltaic Force Transducers

Piezoelectric Strain Transducers

Piezoelectric Acceleration Transducers

Piezoelectric Transducers Piezoelectric Pressure Transducers

Piezoelectric Torque Transducers

Piezoelectric Force Transducers

Magnetostrictive Torsion Transducers

Electromechanical Electrodynamic Pressure Transducers

Ionization Transducers Ionization Vacuum Gauge

Ionization Displacement Transducers

Nuclear Radiation Transducers

Radioactive Vacuum Gauge

Radioactive Level Gauge

Radioactive Thickness Gauge

Hall-E ect Transducers

DataSheet PDF Search

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