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Sensors

Sensors are input devices that measure physical properties like light, temperature, and movement for monitoring and control systems. They can track system states, issue warnings, and control actions based on sensor inputs, such as activating a heater when water temperature drops. Various types of sensors exist, including acoustic, accelerometer, gas, humidity, and temperature sensors, each serving specific monitoring and control functions.

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Aayan Ajmain
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9 views3 pages

Sensors

Sensors are input devices that measure physical properties like light, temperature, and movement for monitoring and control systems. They can track system states, issue warnings, and control actions based on sensor inputs, such as activating a heater when water temperature drops. Various types of sensors exist, including acoustic, accelerometer, gas, humidity, and temperature sensors, each serving specific monitoring and control functions.

Uploaded by

Aayan Ajmain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sensors

 Sensors are input devices


 They measure a physical property of their environment such as light levels, temperature
or movement
 Sensors can be used for monitoring systems and control systems
o A monitoring system tracks the state of a system, it gathers data and may issue warning
messages
o A control system will control the system based upon the input from sensors
o For example, if the water temperature in a fish tank fell below the acceptable level, a
control system would start up a heater
o The system will then continue to check the water temperature readings (outputs) and
when they are within the acceptable range it will switch off the heater
 A process where outputs are recycled and used as inputs, creating a continuous cycle is
called a feedback loop
Sensor type What it measures Typical use
To detect changes in sound levels of industrial machinery

Acoustic Sound levels To monitor noise pollution

In security system to detect suspicious sounds


Detecting sudden changes in vehicle movement and
deploy safety features if needed
Accelerometer Acceleration rate, tilt, vibration
In mobile phones to detect orientation of the device
Rate of gas, liquid or powder
Flow Detect changes in the flow through pipes in water system
flow
Detect levels of gas in confined spaces
Presence of a gas e.g. carbon
Gas
monoxide
Detect gas levels when fixing gas leaks
Humidity Levels of water vapour Monitor humidity in greenhouses
Security systems detecting intruders who break the beam
Detecting motion or a heat
Infra-red
source Measures heat radiation of objects - used by emergency
services to detect people
Detects levels of petrol in a car tank

Level Liquid levels Detect levels of water in a water tank

Detect a drop in water levels due to a leak


Automatically switching on lights when it gets dark
Light Light levels
(street lights, headlights)
Anti-lock braking system
Magnetic field Presence and strength
Monitoring rotating machinery such as turbines
Monitoring moisture in the soil
Moisture Presence and levels of moisture
Monitoring dampness in buildings
Monitoring soil to ensure optimum growing conditions
pH Acidity or alkaline
Monitor ph levels in chemical processes
Monitoring tyre pressure
Pressure Gas, liquid or physical pressure
Monitoring pressure in pipes during the manufacturing
process
Monitoring the position of objects in robotics
Proximity Distance
Used in safety systems to prevent objects from colliding
Used to maintain temperature in swimming pools
Temperature in Celsius,
Temperature
Fahrenheit or Kelvin
Used to control temperature in chemical processes

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