LVDT-Principle of Operation, working

and Applications

Dr. S. Kirubaveni
Associate Professor
Department of ECE
 Revision History

Revision Date Details Version

no.
11 January 2022 1. New SSN template applied 1.1
2. Student notes in slides

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 Session Objectives
To study the Principle of Operation, working and
Applications of LVDT

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 Session Outcomes
• At the end of this session, participants will be able to
learn and understand the
– Definition of LVDT
– Principle of Operation and working
– and Applications of LVDT

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 Agenda
• Definition of LVDT
• Principle of Operation and working of LVDT
• Applications of LVDT

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 Definition of LVDT
• The term LVDT stands for the linear variable
differential transformer.
• It is the most widely used inductive transducer
that covert the linear motion into the electrical
signals .
• The output across secondary of this transformer is
differential so it is called so.
• They are very accurate inductive transducers as
compared to other inductive transducers.

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 Working principle

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 Contd..

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 Construction of LVDT
• The transformer consists of a primary winding P and
two secondary winding S1 and S2 wound on a
cylindrical former (which is hollow in nature and
will contain core).
• Both the secondary windings have equal number of
turns and are identically placed on the either side
of primary winding
• The primary winding is connected to an AC source
which produces a flux in the air gap and voltages
are induced in secondary windings.

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 Contd..
• A movable soft iron core is placed inside the former and
displacement to be measured is connected to the iron core.
• The iron core is generally of high permeability which helps in
reducing harmonics and high sensitivity of LVDT.
• The LVDT is placed inside a stainless steel housing because it
will provide electrostatic and electromagnetic shielding.
• Both the secondary windings are connected in such a way that
resulted output is the difference of the voltages of two

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 Principle of Operation and Working
• As the primary is connected to an AC source so alternating current and
voltages are produced in the secondary of the LVDT. The output in
secondary S1 is e1 and in the secondary S2 is e2. So the differential output is,

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 Working
CASE I :When the core is at null position (for no displacement)
When the core is at null position then the flux linking with both the
secondary windings is equal so the induced emf is equal in both the
windings.
So for no displacement the value of output eout is zero as e1 and e2 both are
equal. So it shows that no displacement took place.

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 Contd..
CASE II : When the core is moved to upward of null position
(For displacement to the upward of reference
point)
• In this case the flux linking with secondary winding S1 is more as
compared to flux linking with S2.
• Due to this e1 will be more as that of e2. Due to this output
voltage eout is positive.

CASE III : When the core is movedto downward

of Null position
(for displacement to the downward of reference point)
• In this case magnitude of e2 will be more as that of e1.
• Due to this output eout will be negative and shows the output to
downward of reference point.
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 Output VS Core Displacement
• A linear curve shows that output voltage varies linearly with
displacement of core

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 Contd..
Some important points about magnitude and sign
of voltage induced in LVDT.

• The amount of change in voltage either negative or positive is

proportional to the amount of movement of core and indicates
amount of linear motion.
• By noting the output voltage increasing or decreasing the
direction of motion can be determined
• The output voltage of an LVDT is linear function of core
displacement .

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 Advantages of LVDT
• High Range - LVDTs have a very high range for
The of displacement. They can used for
measurement of displacements ranging from 1.25 mm to 250 mm
• No Frictional Losses - As the core moves inside a hollow former
so there is no loss of displacement input as frictional loss so it makes
LVDT as very accurate device.
• High Input and High Sensitivity - The output of LVDT is so high
that it doesn’t need any amplification. The transducer possesses a
high sensitivity which is typically about 40V/mm.
• Low Hysteresis - LVDTs show a low hysteresis and hence
repeatability is excellent under all conditions
• Low Power Consumption - The power is about 1W which is very
as compared to other transducers.
• Direct Conversion to Electrical Signals - They convert
the
linear displacement to electrical voltage which are easy to
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 Disadvantages of LVDT

• LVDT is sensitive to stray magnetic fields so they

always require a setup to protect them from stray
magnetic fields.
• They are affected by vibrations and temperature.
• It is concluded that they are advantageous as
compared than any other inductive transducers.

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 Applications of LVDT
1. They are used in applications where displacements
ranging from fraction of mm to few cm are to be
measured. The LVDT acting as a primary transducer
converts the displacement to electrical signal directly.
2. They can also acts as the secondary transducers. E.g.
the Bourbon tube which acts as a primary transducer
and covert pressure into linear displacement.
3. Then LVDT coverts this displacement into electrical
signal which after calibration gives the ideas of the
pressure of fluid.

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RVDT:-Rotary Variable Differential
Transformer
It is a type of electrical transformer used for measuring
angular displacement.

It is an electromechanical transducer that provides a variable

alternating current (AC) output voltage that is linearly proportional to
the angular displacement of its input shaft. When energized with a
fixed AC source, the output signal is linear within a specified range
over the angular displacement.

(RVDT) is used to measure rotational angles and operates under the

same principles as the LVDT sensor. Whereas the LVDT uses a
cylindrical iron core, the RVDT uses a rotary ferromagnetic core.
 The two induced voltages of the secondary windings, and ,
vary linearly to the mechanical angle of the rotor, θ:

Where G is the gain or sensitivity.

The second voltage can be reverse determined by:

 The difference gives a proportional voltage :-

and the sum of the voltages is a constant:

This constant gives the RVDT great stability of the angular information, independence of
the input voltage or frequency, or temperature, and enables it to also detect a
malfunction.
 Advantages
o Relative low cost due to its popularity.
oSolid and robust, capable of working in a wide variety of environments
oNo friction resistance, since the iron core does not contact the transformer coils,
resulting in an very long service life.
oHigh signal to noise ratio and low output impedance.
oNegligible hysteresis.
o Infinitesimal theoretical resolution. In reality, angle resolution is limited by the
resolution of the amplifiers and voltage meters used to process the output signal.
o No permanent damage to the RVDT if measurements exceed the designed range.

 Disadvantages
o The core must be in contact (directly or indirectly) with the measured surface which is not
always possible or desirable.
 Uses

oTachometers
oMagnetic speed sensors
oOptical decoders
oVariable reluctance tachometers
oAccelerometers
oEddy-current tachometers etc.
 Test your understanding
1. Solve the equation for LVDT when the circuit is closed
and circuit is under open conditions

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 References
1. E.O. Doeblin, “Measurement System : Applications and Design”,
McGraw Hill publications
2. http://www.egr.msu.edu/classes/ece445/mason/Files/4-
Sensors_ch2.pdf

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