Sensor

A device which gives an output by detecting the changes in quantities or events can be defined as a
sensor. Generally, sensors produce an electrical signal or optical output signal corresponding to the
changes in the inputs. There are different types of sensors, for example, consider a thermocouple which
can be considered as temperature sensor that produces an output voltage based on the input
temperature changes.

Different Types of Sensors in Electronics

In our day-to-day life we got used to use different types of sensors frequently in our power systems such
as electrical and electronics appliances, load control systems, home automation or industrial
automation, and so on.

ll types of sensors can be basically classified into analog sensors and digital sensors. But, there are a few
types of sensors such as temperature sensors, IR sensors, ultrasonic sensors, pressure sensors, proximity
sensors, and touch sensors are frequently used in most of the electronics applications.

1. Temperature Sensor

2. IR Sensor

3. Ultrasonic Sensor

4. Touch Sensor

5. Proximity Sensors

6. Pressure Sensor

7. Level Sensors

8. Smoke and Gas Sensors

Temperature Sensor

Temperature is one of the most commonly measured environmental quantity for different reasons.
There are different types of temperature sensors that can measure temperature, such as thermocouple,
thermistors, semiconductor temperature sensors, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), and so on.
Based on the requirement, different types of sensors are used for measuring temperature in different
applications.

Temperature Sensor Circuit

A simple temperature sensor with circuit can be used for switching on or off the load at specific
temperature which is detected by the temperature sensor (thermistor is used here). The circuit consists
of battery, thermistor, transistors, and relay which are connected as shown in the figure.

The relay is activated by the temperature sensor by detecting the desired temperature. Thus, the relay
switches on the load connected to it (the load can be AC or DC). We can use this circuit for controlling
the fan automatically based on temperature.

Practical Application of Temperature Sensor

Primarily, consider temperature sensors which are again classified into different types of sensors such as
thermistors, digital temperature sensors, and so on.

Programmable digital temperature controller is a practical embedded systems based electronic project
designed by www.edgefxkits.com that is used for controlling the temperature of any device based on
the requirement of industrial applications.
The power supply block consists of AC 230V supply, step down transformer for stepping down the
voltage, rectifier for rectification of voltage from AC to DC, voltage regulator for maintaining constant
output DC voltage for giving input to the project circuit.

The LCD display is interfaced to the 8051 microcontrollers for displaying the temperature readings in the
range of -55degrees C to +125degrees C. The digital temperature sensor IC DS1621 is used for providing
9-bit temperature readings to the microcontroller. The EEPROM non-volatile memory is used to store
user defined (maximum and minimum) temperature settings through a set of switches to the 8051
microcontrollers. A relay is connected to the microcontroller which can be driven using the transistor
driver. The load can be driven using this relay (here load is represented as lamp for demonstration
purpose).

IR Sensor

The small phototchips having a photocell which are used to emit and detect the infrared light are called
as IR sensors. IR sensors are generally used for designing remote control technology. IR sensors can be
used for detecting obstacles of robotic vehicle and thus control the direction of the robotic vehicle.
There are different types of sensors which can be used for detecting infrared lights.
Practical Application of IR Sensor

IR sensors are frequently used to design TV remotes. It is a simple IR sensor based electronics project
used for controlling a robotic vehicle remotely using the general TV remote or IR remote. The IR sensor
controlled robotic vehicle project circuit is shown in the figure.

Ultrasonic Sensor

A transducer that works on the principle similar to the sonar or radar and estimate attributes of the
target by interpreting is called as ultrasonic sensors or transceivers. There are different types of sensors
that are classified as active and passive ultrasonic sensors that can be differentiated based on the
working of sensors.

The high frequency sound waves generated by active ultrasonic sensors are received back by the
ultrasonic sensor for evaluating the echo. Thus, the time interval taken for transmitting and receiving
the echo is used for determining the distance to an object. But, passive ultrasonic sensors are just used
for detecting ultrasonic noise which is present under specific conditions.
Practical Application of Ultrasonic Sensor

Ultrasonic sensor with circuit can be used for measuring distance of an object. This method is used,
where we cannot implement the conventional methods to measure like inaccessible areas such as high
temperature or pressure zones, etc. The ultrasonic sensor-based distance measurement project circuit
kit is shown in the figure.

The ultrasonic transducer used in this project consists of an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver. The
waves transmitted from ultrasonic transmitter are reflected back to the ultrasonic receiver from the
object. The time taken for sending and receiving back these waves is calculated by using the velocity of
sound.

Touch Sensor

Touch sensors can be defined as switches that are activated by the touch. There are different types of
touch sensors that are classified based on type of touch such as capacitance touch switch, resistance
touch switch, and piezo touch switch.
Practical Application of Touch Sensor

A touch sensitive load is designed for controlling the load. The touch controlled load switch project
circuit kit is shown in the figure.

Touch sensor principle based touch controlled load switch consists of different blocks such as power
supply block, 555 timer, touch sensor plate or touch plate, relay, and load as shown in the block diagram
of touch controlled load switch.
Sensor Advantages Disadvantages Applications

o Requires
Physical
o High Current Contact with
Capability Target

o Low Cost o Very slow o Interlocking

response
o Familiar o Basic End-
Limit Switch “Low-Tech” o Contact of-Travel
sensors Sensing bounce sensing

o Sensor all
kinds of
materials

o Long life
o Lens subject
o Packaging
o Longest to
sensing range contamination o Material
handling
o Very fast · Sensing range
Photoelectric response affected by color and o Parts
sensors time reflectivity of target detection

o Industrial
o Resistant to
and
harsh
machines
environments
o Machines
o Very
tool
predictable
Inductive
o Senses
Sensors o Long life
o Distance metal-only
o Easy to install limitations targets

o Detects
through
some
Capacitive
containers
Sensors o Very sensitive
o Can detect extreme
non-metallic environment o Level
targets changes sensing
 o Anti-
collision
o Resolution
o Doors
o Repeatability
o Web Brake
o Sensitive to
Ultrasonic o Senses all temperature o Level
Sensors materials changes control