Sensors,it's Classification,Types,Use and Advantages of Sensors.

As-Salaam-Alaikum, Welcome to my blogger "World of Knowledge".Here we discuss the topic Sensors.

Points to be discuss in this Article are given below :

• What is Sensor
• Classification of Sensor
• Types of Sensor
• Use and Advantages of Sensors

What is Sensor?

It is a device that converts signals from one energy domain to electrical domain.
                                                             or
A device that detects/measures a signal or stimulus

Example: (e.g Thermometer)

In a mercury-based glass thermometer, the input is temperature.

Different Type of Sensors

The definition of the Sensor can be understood if we take an example in to consideration,
The simplest example of a sensor is an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor). It is a device, whose resistance varies according to intensity of light it is subjected to. When the light falling on an LDR is more, its resistance becomes very less and when the light is less,the resistance of the LDR becomes very high.

Another Example,

Light Sensor, Further we can connect this LDR in a voltage divider along with other resistor and check the voltage drop across the LDR. This voltage can be calibrated to the amount of light falling on the LDR. So, this is light sensor.

Classification of Sensor:

There are several classifications of sensors.Some are very simple and some are very complex. 

First classification of the sensors:

First classification of the sensors, they are divided in to Active and Passive. 

Active Sensors :

Active Sensors are those which require an external excitation signal or a power signal.

Passive Sensors:

Passive Sensors are those whose do not require any external power signal and directly generates output response.

Other type of classification:

The other type of classification is based on the means of detection used in the sensor. 

Some means of detection are following,

• Electric
• Biological
• Chemical
• Radioactive

Next classification:

The next classification is based on conversion phenomenon i.e. the input and the output. 

Some of the common conversion phenomena are following,

• Photoelectric
• Thermoelectric
• Electrochemical
• Electromagnetic
• Thermooptic

Final classification:

The final classification of the sensors are Analog and Digital Sensors. 

Analog Sensors produce an analog output (Continuous Signal)

Digital Sensors (Discrete Signal), The data in digital sensors, which is used for conversion and transmission and it is digital in nature.  

Different Types of Sensors:

The following is a different types of sensors that are commonly used in various applications. 

All these sensors are used for measuring one of the physical properties like Temperature, Resistance, Capacitance, Conduction, Heat Transfer etc.

• Temperature Sensor
• Proximity Sensor
• Accelerometer
• Infrared Sensor (IR)
• Pressure Sensor
• Light Sensor
• Ultrasonic Sensor
• Smoke
• Gas
• Alcohol Sensor
• Touch Sensor
• Color Sensor
• Humidity Sensor
• Tilt Sensor
• Flow and Level Sensor

Use of Sensors:

Sensor is a device or machine which purpose is to detect events or changes in its environment and send the information to other electronics. A sensor is always used with other electronics.

Advantages of Sensors:

Following advantages are,

• Lower energy wastage
• Increase productivity and reduce total cost of ownership
• Monitor processes and assets accurately, reliably, and continuously
• Collect process and asset data in real time
• Accelerate processes and make them more accurate