21EIC101J SENSORS AND ACTUATORS

Dr.A.Asuntha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v25PCV_IJCw
 IDENTIFY THE
SENSORS

Touch sensors temperature sensors motion

sensors
Start with Real-Life Examples
sensors are part of our everyday lives

•For example, touchscreens, temperature sensors in air conditioners, and motion

sensors in security systems. This will help them relate the concept to something
familiar.

•Example: "Think about the temperature control in your refrigerator or the motion
detection in automatic doors. These devices rely on sensors to function."
Introduction to Sensors
Definition:
A sensor is a device that detects and responds to physical phenomena or environmental
changes, such as temperature, pressure, motion, light, or chemical composition, and
converts them into measurable electrical signals or readable outputs

respond to physical phenomena : by observing, detecting, and translating environmental

changes into measurable signals for real-world applications.
Introduction to Transducers
Definition:
A transducer is a device that converts one form of energy or physical quantity (such as
temperature, pressure, or light) into another, typically into an electrical signal.

Example:
•Microphone: Converts sound waves into electrical signals.
•Thermocouple: Converts temperature into a voltage based on the thermoelectric
effect.
Introduction to Transmitters
Definition:
A transmitter is a device that converts the output signal from a sensor or
transducer into a standardized signal that can be transmitted over long distances to
a control or monitoring system.

1.Signal Conversion: Transmitters take raw signals (e.g., voltage, resistance,

current) and convert them into usable forms like 4-20 mA or digital signals.
2.Long-Distance Transmission: They ensure the signal maintains integrity over long
distances by standardizing and amplifying it.
Common Types of Transmitters:

1.Pressure Transmitter: Converts pressure measurements into signals.

2.Temperature Transmitter: Converts temperature data from RTDs or

thermocouples.

3.Flow Transmitter: Converts flow data into electrical signals.

4.Level Transmitter: Measures liquid levels and transmits corresponding signals.

 REMEMBER
•A sensor measures a physical parameter (e.g., temperature, pressure, flow).

•The transducer converts the physical parameter into an electrical signal.

•The transmitter amplifies and standardizes the signal for transmission to a monitoring
or control system.

Example:
•Temperature Transmitter in Industrial Systems: A thermocouple measures
the temperature, the transmitter converts the thermoelectric voltage into a 4-
20 mA signal and sends it to the control room.
Primary Measuring Elements
The primary measuring element is the first component of a transducer that directly
senses or interacts with the physical quantity being measured.

It senses or detects the physical phenomenon (such as temperature, pressure,

force, etc.) and converts it into a measurable signal.
Example:
Consider a mercury thermometer:
•Physical quantity to be measured: Temperature
•Primary measuring element: The bulb of the thermometer filled with mercury.
When the bulb of the thermometer comes into contact with a hot object, the mercury
expands due to heat. This expansion is a direct response to the temperature and is the
first stage of measurement.
The expansion of mercury in the bulb (primary measuring element) is later converted
into a readable value by the calibrated scale on the thermometer.

Example: Car tire pressure monitoring system

•The diaphragm of a pressure sensor directly senses the air pressure inside the tire.
•Its deformation is converted into an electrical signal to be displayed on the
dashboard.
Actuators
Actuators are devices that convert energy into motion or a physical effect, often
used to control mechanisms in systems.

Consider an automatic door:

Controller: A motion sensor detects a person approaching the door and sends a
signal.
Actuator: The actuator receives the signal and converts electrical energy into
mechanical motion to slide the door open.

Car windshield wipers:When the wiper control is turned on, the actuator (an
electric motor) converts electrical energy into rotational motion to move the wipers
across the windshield.
Examples:
•Automated Windows: Found in modern vehicles or smart homes.

•Electric Bed Adjustments: Used in hospitals or adjustable home beds.

•Robotic Arms: Industrial and service robots often use linear actuators.

•Electric Door Locks: Used in cars and safes to lock and unlock doors.
Selection of Sensors

1.Type of Measurement:
•Define the physical quantity to be measured (e.g., temperature, pressure,
displacement).

2.Range:
•The sensor must operate within the desired measurement range (e.g., temperature
range of -50°C to 150°C for a thermometer).

3.Accuracy:
•The sensor should meet the required precision level for the application. Higher
accuracy sensors are often more expensive.
4.Sensitivity:
•The ability of the sensor to detect small changes in the measured parameter. For
example, a highly sensitive temperature sensor can detect minor temperature
fluctuations.
Example for Sensitivity
•Imagine a digital weighing scale used in a grocery store.
•If the scale has high sensitivity, it means it responds significantly to small changes in
weight. For example, if you add just 1 gram, the display changes noticeably, reflecting
this small input.

5.Resolution:
•Resolution is the smallest change in the input parameter that the sensor can
detect and reliably measure.

Example :
Imagine you have a digital thermometer that shows temperature readings in steps of
1°C (e.g., 25°C, 26°C, etc.). The resolution of this thermometer is 1°C. This means:
•If the actual temperature changes by less than 1°C (e.g., from 25.1°C to 25.9°C), the
thermometer won't show any change.
•It can only detect changes of at least 1°C.
6.Response Time:
•The time it takes for the sensor to respond to a change in the measured
parameter. Applications requiring real-time measurements need fast response
times.
7.Environmental Conditions:
•Consider temperature, humidity, pressure, and other environmental factors that
may affect sensor performance.
8.Power Requirements:
•The power supply needed for sensor operation (e.g., battery-powered or
externally powered).

9.Cost and Availability:

•Balance performance with budget constraints.

10.Durability and Reliability:

•For harsh environments(extreme temp, high pressure,high humidity), sensors
should be robust and have a long operational life.
Characteristics of Sensors
Range:
The minimum and maximum values a sensor can measure.
Sensitivity:
The change in output per unit change in input. For example, a temperature sensor with a
sensitivity of 10 mV/°C outputs 10 mV for every 1°C change.
Linearity:
The degree to which the output of the sensor is directly proportional to the input.
Hysteresis:
The difference in sensor output when the input moves up versus when it moves down.
Ideally, this should be minimal.
Imagine a pressure sensor that measures air pressure. If you increase the pressure from 0 to
100 units, the sensor might give one set of readings. But if you decrease the pressure from
100 back to 0, the sensor might give slightly different readings for the same intermediate
pressures.
This difference between the sensor's output during increasing and decreasing input is
hysteresis.
Repeatability:
The sensor's ability to produce consistent results under the same conditions.

Drift:
Gradual changes in sensor output over time despite constant input.
Imagine you have a weighing scale that measures the weight of a 10 kg object. Initially, the
scale correctly shows 10 kg. However, over time:
•After a few months, it shows 10.2 kg.
•A year later, it shows 10.5 kg, even though the object’s weight hasn’t changed.
This gradual deviation in the reading is called drift.

Selectivity:
The ability of the sensor to detect the desired parameter while ignoring other inputs.
Selectivity:

The ability of the sensor to detect the desired parameter while ignoring other inputs

Example:

•glucose sensor used by diabetic patients:

•It needs to measure glucose levels in blood without interference from other substances like
proteins, cholesterol, or other sugars.
•A selective glucose sensor ensures it responds only to glucose molecules, providing an
accurate reading of blood sugar levels.
Classification of sensors:
Classification of sensors:
• Mechanical and Electromechanical sensor

• Resistive sensor

• Inductive sensors
•
• Capacitive sensor

• Thermal sensors

• Magnetic sensors

• smart sensors
Contd..
Contd..
Contd..
Mechanical Sensors

Mechanical sensors are devices that detect changes in a physical property—such as position, force,
pressure, or displacement

These sensors are widely used in engineering, manufacturing and everyday devices to monitor and control
processes.

A mechanical sensor detects physical changes, such as displacement, force, or

pressure, and typically provides a mechanical output, such as movement,
displacement, or mechanical deformation. The sensor directly measures
physical changes without converting them into an electrical signal.
Electromechanical sensors

Electromechanical sensors are devices that combine both electrical and mechanical
components to detect physical changes, such as force, pressure, temperature, or
position.
These sensors use mechanical movement, deformation, or displacement to produce
an electrical output that can be measured and analyzed.

An electromechanical sensor detects mechanical changes (like force,

displacement, or pressure) and converts them into an electrical signal
(such as voltage, current, or resistance). These sensors use both electrical
and mechanical components to provide an electrical output.
Strain gauge A strain gauge is a resistor used to measure strain on an
object.
When an external force is applied on an object, due to
which there is a deformation occurs in the shape of the
object.
This deformation in the shape is both compressive or
tensile is called strain, and it is measured by the strain
gauge.
When an object deforms within the limit of elasticity,
either it becomes narrower and longer or it become
shorter and broadens.
As a result of it, there is a change in resistance end-to-
end.
Steps in the Operation of a Strain Gauge:

1.Application of Load:
A mechanical load is applied to the object, such as a beam or surface.
2.Deformation of Strain Gauge:
As the object deforms, the strain gauge, which is bonded to it, also deforms. The
deformation may cause the strain gauge to elongate or compress.
3.Change in Electrical Resistance:
The deformation of the strain gauge results in a change in its resistance due to the
change in the length and cross-sectional area of the conductive material.
4.Signal Conversion:
The change in resistance is measured by the Wheatstone bridge and converted into an
electrical signal (voltage or current) that is proportional to the amount of strain.
Load cell

A strain gauge is often used in a load cell, which

measures the force or weight applied to an
object.

The strain gauges are arranged in a bridge

configuration, and as the load is applied to the
cell, the strain gauges experience deformation.

The output voltage from the Wheatstone bridge

is then calibrated to measure the load.