Unit-2

Sensors & Transducers

Sensors 1
 CO-02
• Describe/identify key elements of sensors and
transducers and technique of interfacing with
PLC, Microprocessor, Microcontroller.

Sensors 2
 Sensor
• Its an element which produces a signal
relating to the quantity being measured.

Sensors 3
 Transducer
• The term transducer is often used in place of
the term sensor.
• Its an element when subjected to some
physical change experience a related change.
• Sensors are transducers.

Sensors 4
 Types of sensors
• Analogue Sensor: The sensor which gives
analogue signal
• Digital Sensor: The sensor which gives digital
signal

Sensors 5
 Smart Sensors
• When sensor & signal conditioning combined
with a microprocessor all in the same package.
• Smart sensor have ability:
– To compensate for random errors
– To adapt changes in the environment
– Give an automatic calculation of measurement
accuracy
– Adjust for non-linearity to give a linear output
– Self-calibrate
– Give self-diagnosis of fault

Sensors 6
 Performance Terminology
• Range : Range defines the limits between which
the input can vary.
• Span: Maximum value of the input minus the
minimum value
• Error: error = measured value – true value
• Accuracy: it is the extent to which the value
indicated by a measurement system might be
wrong
• Sensitivity: it is the relationship indicating how
much output there is per unit input.
Output/input.
Sensors 7
Performance Terminology

• Hysteresis:
transducer can give
different outputs Decreasing
from the same
value of quantity
being measured Error
according to
whether that value
has been reached Increasing
by a continuously
increasing change
or continuously
decreasing change.

Sensors 8
Performance Terminology
• Non-linearity error:
For many transducers
a linear relationship
between the input &
output is assumed
over the working
range. Some
transducers have truly
linear relationship and
error occurs as a result
of assumption. Error is
maximum difference
from the straight line.

Sensors 9
Performance Terminology

• Repeatability: ability to give same output for

repeated applications of the same input value.
• Stability: ability to give same output when used
to measure a constant input over a period of
time.
• Dead band/time: it is the range of input value for
which there is no output
• Resolution: it is the smallest change in the input
value that will produce an observable change in
the output.
Sensors 10