Type of Sensors

Temperature Liquid Proximity Displacement Velocity Pneumatic Proximity switching Mechanical sensor

Temperature sensor:
Sensors Bimetallic Thermistor Resistance temperature Thermocouple
detectors (RTD)
Picture

Consists of This device consists of two Thermistors are small pieces Resistance temperature detectors It consists of two different
different metal strips of material made from (RTDs) are simple resistive types of metals, joined
bonded together. The mixtures of metal oxides. elements in the form of coils of together at one end.
metals have different The material is formed into wire from bure metal.
coefficients of expansion. various types of element,
such as discs and rods.
Based on (Thermal linear expansion) Change in temperature cause Resistance change with voltage generated by
When heated, one side of Change in resistance of temperature change. junctions at different
the bimetallic strip will metal. temperatures.
expand more than the
other and can measure
temperature
Range 50 to 130°C. -55 (°C) to 150 (°C) -200°C to 500 °C -200(°C) to 1800 (°C)
Depend on type of material
Relation Linear Non-linearity linear Linear
between Rt = R0(1 + αt)
I/P and O/P
Application HVAC system Water tank, pipe Automotive system Home application
 Liquid sensor:(Liquid level, Liquid flow, Pressure liquid)
Liquid level Floats Differential pressure
Picture

Consists of A direct method of monitoring the level of liquid in a The differential pressure cell has Two vessels to measure
vessel is by monitoring the movement of a float. the differential pressure between two tanks to know liquid
level.
Based on The result is the output of a voltage related to the the difference in pressure between the base of the vessel
height of liquid. and the air or gas above the surface of the liquid
Application Water tanks, fuel tanks Food industry

Liquid flow Orifice plate Turbine meter

Picture

Consists of simply a disc, with a central hole, which is placed in the tube multi-bladed rotor that is supported centrally in
through which the fluid is flowing. the pipe along which the flow occurs.
Based on The pressure difference is measured between a point equal to Determine the angular velocity which pro-
the diameter of the tube input liquid and a point equal to half portional to the flow rate.
the diameter output liquid.
Advantage Simple, cheap, has no moving part, accuracy
Disadvantage Nonlinear, pressure loses Expensive
Application Aircraft engine Power generation system
Pressure Bourdon tube Capsule
liquid
Picture

Consists of tube with an elliptical cross-section two corrugated diaphragms are combined and give greater
sensitivity.
Based on the C opens up to some extent when the pressure in The pressure acts on the inside of this capsule and the
the tube increases. generated stroke movement is shown by a pointer as
measurement of pressure.
Range 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝒕𝒐 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍 0 TO 6*𝟏𝟎𝟒 Pa
Application Steam boiler Refrigeration system
Displacement sensor
Displacement Potentiometer The linear variable differential transformer
(LVDT)
Picture

Consists of A potentiometer consists of a resistance element Consists of three coils symmetrically spaced along an
with a sliding contact which can be moved over the insulated tube.
length of the element.
Based on the displacement being converted into a potential Convert mechanical motion to electrical current.
difference
Application Robotics Medical devices
 Proximity sensor:
Proximity Inductive proximity sensor Eddy current Capacitive
Picture

Consists of Consist of a coil which is supplied by An eddy current proximity sensor consists The capacitive proximity sensor consist a
an alternating current and as a of Coil or Inductor, Oscillator, Eddy high-frequency oscillator along with a
consequence produces an oscillating Currents, Detection Circuit, Output Signal, sensing surface formed by two metal
magnetic field. Housing designed to detect the presence electrodes.
or absence of conductive (usually
metallic) objects without physical
contact.
Based on (Principle of electromagnetic (Eddy current sensing principle) When a (Dielectric principle of capacitor) by
induction) by generate an metallic object near the sensor, it measuring the change in capacitance
electromagnetic field and detect interacts with the sensor's within its projected field
changes in the field caused by the electromagnetic field.
presence of metallic objects
Range 3 to 10 mm 0 to 20mm 0 to 30mm
Application CNC machine Quality control Object detection
 Mechanical sensor
Mechanical Strain gauge Piezoelectric sensor
Picture

Consists of Metal wire, metal foil strip which is wafer-like and can be Piezoelectric Crystal, Electrodes, Mechanical Stress
stuck onto surfaces like a postage stamp or Strain.
Based on When subject to strain, its resistance R changes, the fractional E.M.F which generate from piezoelectric materials
change in resistance ∆R/R being proportional to the strain. when forced applied.
Application Automotive testing Vibration measurement
Velocity sensor
Velocity incremental encoder Tachogenerator
Picture

Consists of It consists of spindle assembly, PCB, and cover. It consists of a toothed wheel of ferromagnetic material
which is attached to the rotating shaft.
Based on (provides a digital output as a result of velocity) by determine the speed of a rotating part based on induces
generating a series of electrical pulses in response to electromotive force (voltage) proportional to the shaft's
the rotational movement speed.
Application Motion control system Motor speed control
 Pneumatic sensor
Pneumatic Pneumatic sensor
Picture

Consists of Pneumatic proximity sensor includes a sensing nozzle, a diaphragm or piston, and a pressure switch.
Based on Pneumatic sensors involve the use of compressed air, displacement or the proximity of an object
being transformed into a change in air pressure.
Application Pneumatic valves
Proximity switching
Proximity switching
Picture

Consists of Limit switches are electromechanical devices consisting of an actuator mechanically linked to an
electrical switch.
Based on These devices generate an electromagnetic field, and when an object enters this field, it disrupts the
field and triggers the switch.
Application Automatic door control
 Definition
Selection of a sensor:
1. Identify the nature of the measurement required.
2. Identify the nature of the output required from the sensor.
3. Identify possible sensors.
A sensor:
• It is a device that detects a change in a physical environment.
A transducer:
• it is a device that converts one form of energy into another (Consists of sensor + signal).
Range:
• the lowest to the highest value that the sensor can measure accurately.
Accuracy:
• it is the closeness of the measured value to the actual value.
Resolution:
• it is the smallest increase that the sensor can measure.
Sensitivity:
• It is the smallest variation in measurement that can cause a change in the output.
Span:
• It is the range between the Upper range limit And the Lower Range Limit.
Error:
• It is differences between the true value of the physical quantity and the measured value by the
sensor.

The hysteresis error of a sensor:

• It refers to the difference in output readings for the same input when the input is increasing
compared to when it is decreasing.
The nonlinearity error of a sensor:
• It's the difference between what the sensor reads and what it should ideally read in a linear
relationship.
The repeatability of a sensor:
• It is how consistently it providing the same output for repeated measurements under the same
conditions.
Reproducibility of a sensor:
• It refers to its ability to consistently produce similar results when measuring the same input under
different conditions.
The stability of a sensor:
• It is how well it maintains consistent and accurate measurements over time, without significant
drift or change in its performance.