Chapter 3.

SENSOR

M.Eng. Ly Thanh Phuong

Email: ltphuong@ctu.edu.vn
Department of Automation Technology
College of Engineering Technology
Can Tho University
 Industrial Sensors

• A sensor, is a device, measures a physical quantity and

converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer
or by an instrument.
• Uncountable types of industrial sensors
• Selecting the right sensor – affecting the quality of control
• Solid understanding of:
– Type of measurements
– Precision of measurements (resolutions)
– Magnitude of signals
– Operating conditions
 List of sensors
• Acoustic, sound, vibration
• Automotive, transportation
• Chemical
• Electric current, electric potential, magnetic, radio
• Environment, weather, moisture, humidity
• Flow, fluid velocity
• Ionising radiation, subatomic particles
• Navigation instruments
• Position, angle, displacement, distance, speed, acceleration
• Optical, light, imaging, photon
• Pressure
• Force, density, level
• Thermal, heat, temperature
• Proximity, presence
• Sensor technology
• Other sensors and sensor related properties and concepts …

http://en.wikipedia.org
 Common types of sensors

• Proximity/ Switch • Level

– Mechanical • Humidity
– Optical • Distance
– Inductive/Capacitive • Light
• Position/Velocity (motion speed) • Waves
– Potentiometer • Flow
– Linear Variable Differential
Transformer (LVDT)
– Encoders (Incremental & Absolute)
– Tacho-generator (DC generator)
• Temperature
• Force/Pressure
• Vibration/Acceleration
Slotted disk and Opto-Interrupter
Strain gauge pressure transducer
Retro-Reflective optical sensor
Diffuse Reflective optical sensor
Thru-beam optical sensor-dark on
Ultrasonic proximity sensor
Inductive proximity sensor (sensing
target object)
Capacitive proximity sensor
Capacitive level sensor
Ultrasonic proximity sensor
 Comparison between Photo-sensor,
Ultrasonic & Capacity sensors

http://www.designworldonline.com
Sinking sensor output – Sourcing PLC input
Sourcing sensor output – Sinking PLC input
Symbols for inputs
A simple example
 References

[1]. John R. Hackworth, Frederick D. Hackworth, Jr,

Programmable logic controller: programming methods
and applications, Chapter 9: encoders, transducers and
advance sensors.
[2]. W.Bolton, Programmable logic controller, Chapter 2:
Input – Output Devices, Elsevier Ltd., 2009