Sensor

A sensor is a device which is capable of converting any physical

quantity to be measured into a signal which can be read, displayed,
stored or used to control some other quantity.

Sensors are used to measure physical quantities such as presence,

temperature, light, pressure, sound, and humidity. They send signals to
the processor.
Application of Sensor
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 Acoustic, sound, vibration
 Automotive, transportation
 Chemical
 Electric current, electric potential, magnetic, radio
 Environment, weather, moisture, humidity
 Flow, fluid velocity
 Ionizing radiation, subatomic particles
 Navigation instruments
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 Position, angle, displacement, distance, speed, acceleration
 Optical, light, imaging, photon
 Pressure
 Force, density, level
 Thermal, heat, temperature
 Proximity, presence
 Sensor Output type

Discrete or Digital: 0/1 or On/Off or True/False

Analog: 4-20 mA, 0-20 mA, 0-10 V.
 Proximity Sensor
A proximity sensor is a sensor able to detect the presence of nearby
objects without any physical contact. A proximity sensor often emits an
electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation (infrared,
for instance), and looks for changes in the field or return signal.
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Inductive Proximity Sensor: An inductive proximity sensor is a type of
non-contact electronic proximity sensor that is used to detect the position of
metal objects.

Inductive proximity sensors are used for non-contact detection of metallic

objects. Their operating principle is based on a coil and oscillator that
creates an electromagnetic field in the close surroundings of the
sensing surface.
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Major component: inductive coil, an oscillator, a Schmitt trigger, and
an output amplifier.
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It works on the principle of the resonance and eddy currents. This sensor is
also known as an electronic oscillator. These are basically used to detect the
metallic object. It generally consists of an inductive coil made up of very fine
copper wire.
A capacitor is used to store the charge and a power supply to produce the
electrical excitation. They are used currents induced by a magnetic field to
detect the metallic objects. In the coil high-frequency magnetic field
generated.
Now, If there is any metallic object this inductive magnetic field produces a
current into the metallic object which results to develop a new magnetic field
and this magnetic field opposes the earlier magnetic field. The net effective
change in the magnetic field is to changes in inductance of the inductive
sensor.
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Output: Most industrial proximity sensors (inductive, capacitive,
ultrasonic and photo electric) are solid state. Solid state electronic
components such as transistors are used to switch the output of the
sensor upon detection of an object.

Two specific types of sensors are available; PNP and NPN. The
difference is a result of the internal circuit design and type of transistors
used.
 Common Features
 Non-flush mountable/ Flush Mountable
 Sensing Distance
 Number of wire: 2 wire/ 3wire/4 wire
NO/NC/NO+NC
 PNP/NPN
AC/DC
Wiring diagram
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 Capacitive Proximity Sensor
Capacitive proximity sensors are similar to inductive proximity sensors.
The main difference between the two types is that capacitive proximity
sensors produce an electrostatic field instead of an electromagnetic field.

Capacitive proximity sensor are suitable for detecting metals, non-

metals, solids, and liquids, although it is best suited for non-metallic
targets because of its characteristics and cost relative to inductive
proximity sensors.
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The sensor consists of four basic components:
A capacitive probe or plate
An oscillator
A signal level detector
A solid-state output switching device.
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The working principle is based on the variation in the capacitance. It
consists of plates, the threshold detector, oscillator and output circuit.

When we put the sensor in working condition an electrostatic field is

generated by the capacitor plate and if there is any object within that
field then the capacitance will change as a result oscillator start
oscillating. If the target object is very near to the sensor then the
capacitance will increase and vice versa (As the target moves away from
the sensor the oscillator amplitude decreases).
 Photo-electric Sensor
A photoelectric sensor, or photo eye, is an equipment used to discover
the distance, absence, or presence of an object by using a light
transmitter, often infrared, and a photoelectric receiver. It is an
electrical device that responds to a change in the intensity of the light
falling upon it.

Photoelectric sensors are made up of a light source (LED), a receiver

(phototransistor), a signal converter, and an amplifier. The
phototransistor analyses incoming light, verifies that it is from the LED,
and appropriately triggers an output.
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 Types of photoelectric Sensor
Diffuse: Both the light emitting and light receiving elements are
contained in a single housing. The sensor receives the light reflected
from the target.
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Reflective: Both the light emitting and light receiving elements are
contained in same housing. The light from the emitting element hits the
reflector and returns to the light receiving element. When a target is
present, the light is interrupted.
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Through-Beam: The transmitter and receiver are separated. When the
target is between the transmitter and receiver, the light is interrupted.
 Comparison
Name Advantages Disadvantages

•Must install at two points on

•Most accurate
system: emitter and receiver
Through-Beam •Longest sensing range
•Costly - must purchase both emitter
•Very reliable
and receiver

•Must install at two points on

•Only slightly less accurate than
system: sensor and reflector
through-beam
Reflective •Slightly more costly than diffuse
•Sensing range better than diffuse
•Sensing range less than through-
•Very reliable
beam

•Only install at one point •Less accurate than through- beam or

Diffuse •Cost less than through-beam or reflective
reflective •More setup time involved