[Physics Class Notes] on Difference Between Transducer and Sensor Pdf for Exam

The terms ‘sensor’ and ‘transducer’ are often used to describe the same devices that are mentioned as “linear sensor” and “linear transducer”. They refer to the same component. However, in some cases, the terms sensor and transducer have different meanings and there are some differences which are between the two terms.

Here, we are going to discover a few more things about the topic mentioned and discover more and more about transducers and sensors.

Sensor and Transducer Difference

The transducers that we are discussing can be measured in similar qualities to a sensor but gradually convert the signal from one physical form to another, meaning their output and input signals are not the same as each other. The transducers are sometimes referred to as energy converters.

There are different types of transducers, these include the input transducers and the output transducers. An input transducer generally takes a form of energy and converts it into electrical signals. An output transducer takes electricity and converts it into another form of energy – for example, a light bulb takes electricity and converts it to light or a motor converts electricity to motion. These transducers sense a change and then the transform takes energy from one form to another. Usually, that is from non-electrical to electrical or vice versa.

The Pressure transducer and cable extension transducer along with the linear transducer and control of a microphone engine controls and HVAC monitoring, steering systems that are on the vehicles and their ramp or bridge lifting or positioning.

Sensors are defined as devices that are used to measure a physical quality for example its sound, light, temperature, etc., and give the output in an easy-to-read format for the user.

Sensors sense the changes and give readings in the same format that the signals are received. An additional device will be needed to convert the energy which is supposed to be required. The switches pressure and the thermistors, mercury thermometers are motion sensors. The toilet infrared flushes, pressure level in oxygen tanks monitoring patients are sensors.

Transducer and Sensor Applications

The sensor is said to be a device that measures the physical quantity, that is light, heat, sound, etc. into easy signals which are readable voltage, current, etc. It is said to give accurate readings that are after calibration.

For example, the mercury that is used in the thermometer converts the temperature which is measured into an expansion and contraction of the liquid which is easily measured with the help of a calibrated tube of glass.

The thermocouple is also said to convert the temperature to a voltage which is output which is measured by the thermometer.

The sensors that we are studying already have many applications in electronics equipment. A few of the applications are explained below.

1. The motion sensors are used in the security of the home system and the automation door system.

2. Photo sensing the infrared or ultraviolet light.

3. The accelerometer of the sensor is used in the mobile for detecting the screen rotations.

Sensor Transducer Difference in Working

The transducer is a device that changes the attribute – the physical or the non-electrical signal to an electrical signal which is easily measurable. The process of conversion of the energy conversion in the transducer is called transduction. The transduction is said to be completed in two steps. First by sensing the signal and then strengthening it for further processing.

The transducer and the sensor both are devices that are physically used for measuring the quantities which are physical like temperature, heat, displacement, etc. which are very difficult to measure. The transducer is said to have three major components: they are the input device signal that conditions, a device that is processing, and an output device.

The devices which are input devices receive the measured quantity and transfer the proportional analog signals to the conditioning device. The conditioning devices which are modified, filtered, or at times attenuates the signal which is easily acceptable by the devices which are said to be the output devices.