INSTRUMENTATION &

MEASUREMENTS

SENSORS AND TRANSDUCERS

CHAPTER 2
 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Outcomes

LEARNING
LEARNING OUTCOMES
OUTCOMES
At the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

Define sensors and transducers

Classify transducers based on specific criteria

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Chapter Outline

CHAPTER
CHAPTER OUTLINE
OUTLINE

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Classification of transducers

2.3 Selection criteria for transducer

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Introduction

2.1
2.1 INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

SENSOR vs TRANSDUCER
Sensor
A device that senses the measurand (The quantity/parameter being
measured). It acquires information from the real world

Transducer
A device that converts a primary form of energy into a corresponding
signal with a different form of energy

A sensible distinction is to use sensor for sensing element itself and

transducer for the sensing element plus any associated circuitry.
However, most references use the terms sensor and transducer
interchangeably

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Introduction

2.1
2.1 INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS A TRANSDUCER?

Transducer is a device developed to capture physical

quantity and convert it into a usable electrical signal.

The transducer has three elements: input, process, and

output

Example: Thermocouple converts temperature into voltage.

Input Output
Transducer
Physical quantity Electrical signal

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Classification of sensors can be done on several
basis

o Electrical
o Mechanical
o Thermal
o Optical

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Classification based on signal characteristics

Analogue
Refers to continuous unbroken series of events and are
used for measurement of continuous process variables
such as,

Speed
Temperature
Pressure
Flow
Strain

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Analogue Sensors produce a continuous output signal or
voltage which is generally proportional to the quantity being
measured. The output will usually pass through a A/D
converter before entering the controller/display.

Potentiometer
Thermocouple
LVDT
Pressure sensors

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Digital sensors
Refers to a sequence of discrete events. These sensors
produces a discrete output signal or voltage that is a digital
representation of the quantity being measured.

Optical encoder

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS

Digital sensors produce a binary output signal in the form

of a logic "1" or a logic "0", ("ON" or "OFF") which means
that a digital signal only produces discrete (noncontinuous)
values which may be outputted as a single "bit", (serial
transmission) or by combining the bits to produce a single
"byte" output (parallel transmission).

Since the output from these sensors are digital, these will
not require any conversion modules before entering the
controller/display

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Classification based on power supply

Active transducer
Self-generating: converts quantity from one form to another
without using external source to excite them. Examples
are:

Thermoelectric
Piezoelectric
Thermocouples
Thermometer
Photodiode

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Passive transducer
Additional power source is required to generate an output
signal. Examples are:

Strain gauges
LVDTs
Potentiometer
RTD
However, the generated output signal can be very small or
weak, hence it may be necessary to amplify the output
signals by using active devices such as OP amps

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCER
TRANSDUCER
ACTIVE TRANSDUCERS
Property used Transducer Application in
1. Active transducer measurement
Thermoelectricity Thermocouple Temperature
generation
Thermopile Radiation pyrometry or
temperature of distance
object
Piezoelectricity Piezoelectric transducer Pressure
generation
Photoelectricity Photodiode in Pressure
generation combination with a
diaphragm
Electricity generation by Electromagnetic pick-up Flow
moving coil in a
magnetic field

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCER
TRANSDUCER
PASSIVE TRANSDUCERS
Property used Transducer Application in
measurement
Resistance variation Potentiometer Displacement
Strain gauge Strain, force, torque,
pressure
Inductance variation Linear variable Displacement
differential transformer
(LVDT)
Capacitance variation Capacitor gauge Displacement, pressure

Dielectric gauge Liquid level, thickness

(which are displacement)

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Classification based on mode of operation

Deflection type
the value of the quantity being measured is displayed in
terms of the amount of movement of a pointer e.g
pressure gauge, permanent magnet moving coil (PMMC)
The output is proportional to the measurand and is more
convenient than null type
Easy to read - pointer

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Classification based on mode of operation

Null type
In null type sensors, any deflection due to the measurand
is balanced by the opposing calibrated force so that any
imbalances are detected wheatstone bridge
A dead-weight gauge is a null-type instrument. Weights
are put on top of the piston until the downward force
balances the fluid pressure. Weights are added until the
piston reaches a datum level, known as the null point.
Pressure measurement is made in terms of the value of
the weights needed to reach this null position
null-type instruments are more accurate than deflection
types
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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Classification

2.2
2.2 CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION OF
OF TRANSDUCERS
TRANSDUCERS
Classification based on subject of measurement

In this classification, the types will depend on the

parameter or subject being measured. Example

Electrical
Mechanical
Thermal
Optical

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Selection

2.3
2.3 SELECTION
SELECTION CRITERIA
CRITERIA FOR
FOR A
A TRANSDUCER
TRANSDUCER
The following factors should be examined when choosing a
sensor for a particular application:

1. Fundamental parameters

Type and characteristics of measurand

Range of measurement
Required Precision
Allowable nonlinearity effects
Allowable dead-zone effects
Resolution

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Selection

2.3
2.3 SELECTION
SELECTION CRITERIA
CRITERIA FOR
FOR A
A TRANSDUCER
TRANSDUCER
2. Environment.
Ambient temperature
Corrosive or non-corrosive atmosphere
Shock and vibration to stand
3. Physical Condition.
Space where transducer is mounted
Whether measurement is static or dynamic
The level of needed signal in the face of loading
4. Compatibility with the next stage (signal conditioning)
Excitation voltage matching

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 INSTRUMENTATION
CHAPTER 2 SENSORS & TRANSDUCERS
INTRODUCTION Transducer Selection

2.3
2.3 SELECTION
SELECTION CRITERIA
CRITERIA FOR
FOR A
A TRANSDUCER
TRANSDUCER
The design should also conform to these requirements :

Ruggedness
Linearity
Repeatability
Stability and reliability
Good dynamic response
Convenient instrumentation

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