CELMI’s transducers find application across a wide array of industrial sectors. They aim to convert physical quantities and energy from the environment into easily interpretable electrical signals. These devices are employed to detect and measure various physical quantities in automation and instrumentation.
Before delving into the distinction between electronic transducers and industrial sensors, let’s provide a brief clarification for accuracy, akin to our precision measuring instruments.
Transducers or sensors? Here’s a professional insight
While there is a distinction between transducers and sensors, in the industrial setting, particularly in precision measurement, these terms often refer to the same product: transducers, like those featured in our offerings.
However, precision is paramount in our work. Let’s delineate what sets a sensor apart from a transducer.
What is a sensor?
A sensor is a physical device that detects changes in various physical quantities or forms of energy. It responds to stimuli from its environment and produces a non-electrical signal. Sensors can identify electrical attributes such as heat, light, pressure, humidity, motion, etc.
The output signal from a sensor is not always immediately readable; it often requires further processing, such as amplification, attenuation, or conversion through electronic circuit to render it readable.
To illustrate, consider the mercury thermometer: mercury expands with rising temperatures, yet its reading requires placement on a specific scale. Similarly, the resistance of a thermistor varies with temperature fluctuations.
Key features of sensors include:
- Detecting alterations in physical quantities
- Being standalone components without signal evaluation units
- Having electrical output potential
- Requiring a scale or processing circuit to interpret the output signal.
What is a transducer?
An electronic transduceris a physical device that transforms one form of energy into another, a process known as transduction.
It comprises two main components: a sensor and a signal conditioner. The sensor detects changes in the physical environment and produces a non-electrical signal. Subsequently, the signal conditioner converts this signal into an electrical form, modifying it as necessary to create a readable electrical output.
For instance, a pressure transducer converts applied pressure or stress into an electrical signal. It typically consists of two opposing charge plates, one fixed and the other movable. When pressure is exerted on the movable plate, the capacitance changes, altering the applied voltage and resulting in the conversion of pressure into an electrical signal.
In summary, the characteristics of a transducer are as follows:
- converts energy from one form to another
- comprises a sensor and a signal conditioner
- can convert between non-electrical and electrical energy
- outputs can directly interface with other systems
- utilizes a sophisticated signal emission circuit
Still unsure about the difference between sensors and transducers?
Below, we have compared all the characteristics to clarify and enhance your understanding:
| Sensor | Transducer |
| Detects changes in a physical environment | Converts one form of energy into another. |
| Not necessarily a transducer | Includes a sensor as a component |
| Is itself a component | Is composed of a sensor and a signal emission circuit |
| Converts physical quantities or energy into non-electrical signals | Converts physical quantity or energy into an electrical signal |
| Requires additional circuitry to process its output signal into a readable form | Does not require any processing circuitry. Its output is directly interfaced with a device or display |
| The output of a sensor is analog in nature | Can generate an analog and digital output |
| The output cannot be directly applied to any other system | The output of a transducer can be connected directly to another system |
| Requires no external power to operate | A passive transducer requires an external power source to operate |
| Cannot be bidirectional | Bidirectional, capable of converting electrical signals into physical quantities called inverse transducer |
| Is a simple device | Complex electrical circuit used for energy conversion |
| Examples: thermometers, pressure sensors, ultrasonic sensors, light sensors, etc. | Examples: pressure transducers, thermistors, potentiometers, piezoelectric transducers, Hall effect transducers, etc. |
Source: https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2021/12/difference-between-sensor-transducer.html
Now that the distinction between electronic transducers and sensors is clear, explore our offerings. Remember, even if we refer to them as sensors in technical jargon, they are indeed transducers .
Contact us now to speak with our technicians today.