Sensors and Transducers

By
Prof. Onkar B Heddurshetti
Asst. Professor
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engg.
Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi
Introduction to Transducers,
Sensors and Actuators
 Introduction
• A transducer is any device which converts one form of energy into
another.
• Examples of common transducers include the following:
• A microphone converts sound into electrical impulses and a
loudspeaker converts electrical impulses into sound (i.e., sound
energy to electrical energy and vice versa).
• A solar cell converts light into electricity and a thermocouple converts
thermal energy into electrical energy.
• An incandescent light bulb produces light by passing a current
through a filament. Thus, a light bulb is a transducer for converting
electrical energy into optical energy.

• An electric motor is a transducer for conversion of electricity into

mechanical energy or motion.
• An actuator is a device that actuates or moves something. An
actuator uses energy to provide motion. Therefore, an actuator is a
specific type of a transducer.

• Which of the previously mentioned examples is an actuator?

• A sensor is a device that receives and responds to a signal.

• Based on this explanation of a sensor, you should see that sensors are
used in all aspects of life to detect and/or measure many different
conditions.

• What are some sensors that you are familiar with or use daily?
Human beings are equipped with 5 different
types of sensors:
Block diagram of a Measurement System
 Sensors
• To sense means to detect/respond to the presence of a quantity.
• An instrument which responds and shows a detectable output upon
the sensing the quantity is called sensor.
• A sensor is always a primary element of any measurement system.
• Definition: A primary measuring element which detects the presence
of the physical quantity under measurement and converts the
measured quantity into a form suitable for measurement is called
sensor.
• Example: Thermometer
 Transducers
• A transducer is a component that processes the output of the sensor
and gives an electrical output.
• A transducer is always a secondary element of any measurement
system.
• Definition: A transducer is a device which converts a non electrical
quantity into an electrical quantity.
• Examples: LVDT, potentiometer, PV cells, etc.
 Inverse Transducers
• Inverse transducer is a device which converts an electrical quantity
into a non electrical quantity.

• Example: Piezo electrical crystal.

 Why Transducers are required?
• To convert raw physical quantity into electrical signal for processing
that quantity.

• To store measurement readings electronically for a long time.

• To amplify the measured quantity so that it can be processed by signal

processor.
 Advantages of Electrical Transducers
• Very small power is required
• Electrical output can be amplified
• Effect of friction is reduced
• Mass inertia effects are reduced
• Optimum weight and volume
• Output can be indicated and recorded remotely
• Output can be modified
• Signal can be conditioned
 Disadvantages of Electrical Transducers
• Low reliability
• Expensive
• Accuracy and resolution are low
Resistance transducers
By
Prof. Onkar B Heddurshetti
Asst. Professor
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engg.
Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi
 Resistance Transducers
• It works on the relationship R=ƍ L/A

• Types of resistance transducers

1) Potentiometers
2) Resistance thermometers
3) Resistance strain gauges
Linear and Angular Motion Potentiometers
• Resistance Thermometers(Thermistors)

• Strain Gauges
Variable Inductance
Transducers
By
Prof. Onkar B Heddurshetti
Asst. Professor
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engg.
Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi
 Variable Inductance Transducers
1. Self generating type
• Electromagnetic type
• Electrodynamic type
• Eddy current type
2. Passive type
• Variable reluctance
• Mutual inductance
• Differential transfer type
 Self Generating Type
• Electromagnetic type
• Electrodynamic type
• Eddy current type
 Passive Type
• Variable reluctance transducer
• Variable permeance transducer
• Mutual inductance transducer
• Linear variable Differential Transformer(LVDT)
Capacitive Transducers
By
Prof. Onkar B Heddurshetti
Asst. Professor
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engg.
Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi
 Capacitive Transducers
• 

• It works on the relationship

Capacitive Transducers-Using change in Area
of the Plates
Capacitive Transducers-Using change in
Distance between the Plates
Differential Capacitor System
• C1=C2=C=ƐA/d
• C1=ƐA/d+x and C2=ƐA/d-x
• By applying Voltage, E1=EC2/C1+C2=Ed+x/2d
E2=EC1/C1+C2=Ed-x/2d

• E1-E2=Ex/d
Piezoelectric Transducers
By
Prof. Onkar B Heddurshetti
Asst. Professor
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engg.
Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi
 Piezoelectric Transducers
• Piezoelectric materials (Electro resistive elements)

• Types of Piezoelectric materials

1) Natural Crystals: Quartz and Tourmaline
2) Synthetic Crystals: Rochelle salt, Barium titanate and Lithium
sulphate
Working of Piezoelectric Device

E=gtF/A=gtp
Hall Effect Transducers
By
Prof. Onkar B Heddurshetti
Asst. Professor
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engg.
Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi
 Hall Effect
“When a magnetic field is applied at right angles to the direction of
electric current an electric field is set up which is perpendicular to both
the direction of electric current and applied magnetic field”
Vh=RhBI/b
 Hall Effect Transducers
• Displacement Measurement
• Fluid Level Measurement
Photoelectric Transducers
By
Prof. Onkar B Heddurshetti
Asst. Professor
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engg.
Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Nidasoshi
 Photoelectric Transducers
• Principle of Operation

• Classification
1) Photo emissive cell
2) Photovoltaic cell
3) Photoconductive cell
Photo emissive Cell
Photovoltaic Cell
Photoconductive Cell