Sensors & Transducers

Sensors & Transducers: Definition and

Classification

by

Prof Rahat U Khan

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
 Contents
 Introduction

 Sensors and Transducers :Definitions

 Example

 Classification of Transducers
Sensors & Transducers: Definition
What is the Sensor?

It is a device that detects a change in a physical response and

turns it into a signal which can be measured or recorded ,
this recorded signal has been acquiring information from the
“real world”.

Real
Intelligent
World Sensor System
Sensors & Transducers: Definition
What is the Transducer?

It is a device that converts a primary form of energy into an

equivalent signal with a different energy form.
Primarily these Energy Forms are mechanical, thermal,
electromagnetic, optical, chemical, etc.
Primary Different
Form of Transducer Form of
Energy Energy
Transducers: Definition
Transducers:
Transducers are the devices that convert energy in one form into
another form. Generally the energy is in the form of a signal.
Transducer is a term collectively used for both sensors and
actuators.
 Transducers :Example

Before understanding a Transducers, consider the following setup of a measuring

system.

In the Given block diagram of a simple measuring system, there are three basic
elements:
1. Sensor
2. Signal Conditioning Unit
3. Data Representing Device
1. 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
reflected as changes in output quantity.
Both the input and output quantities of a Sensor are Physical i.e.
Non-Electrical in nature.
2. 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:
1. Analog to Digital Converters
2. Amplifiers
3. Filters
4. Rectifiers
5. Modulators
3. Data Representation Device:

A Data representation device is used to present the measured output to the

observer. This can be anything like:
1. A Scale
2. An LCD Display
3. A Signal Recorder
 Classification of Transducers
There are several ways we can classify transducers , that include the role of the transducers,
structure of the transducers 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. Further depending on the principle of operation, transducers can also be
classified into mechanical, thermal, electrical, etc.
 Classification of Transducers
1. Classification based on Physical Effect:
The first classification of Transducers is based on the physical effect engaged to convert the
physical quantity to electrical quantity.
For example, is the change in resistance (physical quantity) of a copper element in
proportion to the change in temperature.
The following physical effects are generally used:
1. Variation in Resistance
2. Variation in Inductance
3. Variation in Capacitance
4. Hall Effect
5. Piezoelectric Effect
 Classification of Transducers
2. Classification based on Physical Quantity
The second classification 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 classified based on the physical quantity and corresponding
examples:
1. Temperature Transducer – Thermocouple
2. Pressure Transducer – Bourdon Gauge
3. Displacement Transducer – LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer)
4. Level Transducer – Torque Tube
 Classification of Transducers
Contd…

5. Flow Transducer – Flow Meter

6. Force Transducer – Dynamometer
7. Acceleration Transducer – accelerometer
 Classification of Transducers
3. Classification based on Source of Energy
Transducers are also classified based on the source of energy. Under this category,
there usually two types of transducers:
1. Active Transducers
2. Passive Transducers

1. 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.
 Classification of Transducers
Example: Active Transducer

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.
 Classification of Transducers
2.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).
 Classification of Transducers
Mechanical Transducers
List of mechanical transducers for measuring different quantities and responds with
mechanical signal
Quantity to be Type of Output Signal
Mechanical Transducer
Measured (Mechanical)
Bimetallic Strip Displacement and Force
Temperature
Fluid Expansion Displacement and Force
Ring Balance Manometer Displacement
Metallic Diaphragms Displacement and Strain
Pressure
Capsules and Bellows Displacement
Membranes Displacement
Spring Balance Displacement and Strain
Force Hydraulic Load Cell Pressure
Column Load Cell Displacement and Strain
 Classification of Transducers
Mechanical Transducers
List of mechanical transducers for measuring different quantities and responds with
mechanical signal
Quantity to be Type of Output Signal
Mechanical Transducer
Measured (Mechanical)
Dynamometer Force and Strain
Gyroscope Displacement
Torque
Spiral Springs Displacement
Torsion Bar Displacement and Strain
Flow Obstruction Element Strain and Pressure
Flow Rate
Pitot Tube Pressure
Manometer Displacement
Liquid Level Displacement, Force and
Float Elements
Strain
 Classification of Transducers
Electrical Transducers
If the physical quantity is converted to an electrical quantity, then the transducers are Electrical Transducers.
Electrical Transducers are those that respond to changes in physical quantities with electrical outputs. They
are further divided into Passive Electrical Transducers and Active Electrical Transducers.
Lists of Electrical Transducers (Passive)
Resistance Thermometers

Resistive Resistive Displacement Transducers

Passive Transducers Resistive Strain Transducers
Electrical Resistive Pressure Transducers
Resistive Moisture Transducers
Transducers
Capacitive Moisture Transducers
Capacitive
Capacitive Displacement Transducers
Transducers
Capacitive Thickness Transducers
 Classification of Transducers
Electrical Transducers
Lists of Electrical Transducers (Passive)

Inductive Displacement Transducers

Passive Electrical Inductive
Inductive Thickness Transducers
Transducers Transducers
Eddy-Current Inductive Transducers

Moving core Inductive Transducers

 Classification of Transducers
Electrical Transducers
Lists of Electrical Transducers (Active)
Photoconductive Transducers
Photoelectric
Transducers Photo-emissive Transducers
Photovoltaic Force Transducers
Piezoelectric Strain Transducers
Active Piezoelectric Acceleration Transducers
Electrical Piezoelectric
Transducers Piezoelectric Pressure Transducers
Transducers
Piezoelectric Torque Transducers
Piezoelectric Force Transducers
Magnetostrictive Acceleration Transducers
Magnetostrictive
Transducers Magnetostrictive Force Transducers
Magnetostrictive Torsion Transducers
 Classification of Transducers
Electrical Transducers
Lists of Electrical Transducers (Active)

Tachometers
Electrodynamic Pressure Transducers
Electromechanical
Transducers Electrodynamic Vibration Transducers
Active Electromagnetic Flow meters
Electrical Ionization Vacuum Gauge
Transducers Ionization Displacement Transducers
Ionization Nuclear Radiation Transducers
Transducers Radioactive Vacuum Gauge
Radioactive Level Gauge
Radioactive Thickness Gauge
References : https://www.electronicshub.org/types-of-transducers/
:Electronic Instrumentation, 2nd Edition, by SOL D Prensky, PHI, New Jersey
: https://web.itu.edu.tr/~yalcinme/files/courses/MMG/ch2_1%20Sensors%20and%20transducers.pdf