What is Capacitive Sensor?

A capacitive proximity sensor is an electronic device that can simply detect and measure various things
such as movement, chemical properties, displacement, and electric field, and indirectly detect many
other variables that can be converted into dielectric constant or motion such as acceleration, pressure,
fluid composition, and fluid level. The capacitive sensor will generate an electrical field from the sensor’s
detecting end in order to detect these targets. This sensor can detect any object that can disrupt the
electrical field.

Formula

A capacitance sensor consists of two metal plates divided by a distance ‘d’ and an area ‘A’. As a result, the
capacitance ‘C’ between two junctions can be calculated using the following expression.

C=ϵ0×ϵr×AhC=ϵ0×ϵr×Ah

Where,

C = capacitance within Faradays

ϵrϵr = Insulator’s relative dielectric constant

ϵ0ϵ0 = dielectric constant for free space

A = overlapping area of two plates

h = width of the gap between two plates.

Components of Capacitive Sensor

The sensor body, sensing face, indicator light, and cable or cable connection end are the four main
components of capacitive proximity sensors.

o Sensor’s Body: The circuitry that allows the sensor to function is housed within the sensor’s
body.

o Sensing Face: The detecting face is the portion of the sensor that can detect targets.
 o Light Indicator: The indicator light is located on the sensor’s opposite end from the sensing face.
This light illuminates when a goal is within the sensing range of the sensor and turns off if the
target is outside of the sensing range.

o Sensor Connection: These sensors can be acquired with a cable just now attached or with a
connector into which the cable screws.

Properties of Capacitive Sensor

The following must be considered characteristics of capacitive proximity sensors:

o They can detect non-metallic targets.

o They can detect lighter weight or small objects that mechanical limit switches cannot detect.

o They have a high switching rate for quick response in object-counting applications.

o They can aid in the detection of liquid targets via non-metallic barriers.

o They have a protracted operational life due to their virtually infinite number of operating cycles.

Capacitive Sensor Working Principle

A capacitive sensor works in the same way that a standard capacitor does. In this sensor, a metal sheet
within the detecting face is connected properly to an oscillator circuit, and the detected target can act as
the capacitor’s next plate. In contrast to an inductive sensor, which produces magnetic waves, a
capacitive proximity sensor produces an electrostatic field.

The capacitive sensor’s diagram is shown above. This sensor consists of a high-frequency oscillator and a
sensing surface formed by two metal electrodes. When an object comes close to the sensor surface, it
enters the electrical force of the electrodes and changes the capacitance of the oscillator.

As a result, once it reaches a certain amplitude, the oscillator circuit might very well begin to oscillate
and change the sensor’s output condition. When the target moves away from the capacitive
proximity sensor, the oscillator’s amplitude decreases, causing the capacitive sensor to return to its
original position.

These sensors easily detect an object’s superior dielectric constant. As a result, sensing of the substance
within non-metallic vessels is possible because the dielectric of the liquid is much higher than that of the
container. As a result, the sensor is able to observe the container and detect the liquid. They must
operate in an environment with relatively constant temperature and humidity.

Types of Capacitive Sensors

Analog
 o The analog capacitive sensor functions similarly to standard capacitive sensors, but it provides
additional benefits depending on how it is used.

o In comparison to other applications, these sensors are excellent for material selection, thickness
monitoring, and concentration difference.

Miniature

o The said type of capacitive sensor is accessible in a wafer or cylindrical shape, allowing it to be
placed in the smallest of spaces.

o These sensors are primarily used to constantly monitor machine processes, as well as work as
detectors for job counting.

o Small sensor heads require an external amplifier to provide the best fit in tight spaces.

o As a result, the potentiometer on this external amplifier allows for sensitivity adjustment.

High Temperature
 o High-Temperature capacitive sensors are used in applications where the sensor head is subjected
to extreme temperatures.

o Even in the most extreme conditions, these sensors can detect liquids, temperature levels, and
bulk goods even when in direct contact with hot materials and temperatures.

Cylindrical

o The said cylindrical capacitive sensor is bigger than miniature sensors ranging from 6.5 to M12
and M12 to M30.

o This sensor has a variable sensing distance, a variety of housing widths, and flush and non-flush
mounting options.

o These sensors primarily detect level or provide contact-free closeness detection directly through
a container wall.

Capacitive Sensor Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages and disadvantages of capacitive sensors are as follows.

Advantages

o They can detect non-metallic targets and can detect through certain types of containers.
 o It is simple to build and adjustable.

o It can identify dense targets as well as liquids.

o It is less expensive.

o It has greater sensitivity and can operate with a small amount of force.

o It can be used to measure force, pressure, and humidity, among other things.

o It has a high resolution and a wide frequency response.

Disadvantages

o It is extremely sensitive to changing environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.

o Capacitance measurement is more difficult than resistance measurement.

o Capacitive proximity sensors are less accurate than inductive sensors.