Sensor Accessories
Sensor accessories include mounts, cables and sensor adapters that allow for the secure placement of sensors and the integration of their data. They are used in a variety of automated systems and environments.
Sensors are a common element of many devices and systems, including vehicles, machines, airplanes, buildings, homes and more. They monitor a range of factors, such as temperature, pressure, vibration and proximity to other objects.
Temperature Sensors
Temperature sensors are an important part of most heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems. They help maintain a comfortable environment while ensuring the system performs properly. Sensors are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types to fit your specific applications.
They are used in a wide range of applications including industrial, consumer, and medical devices. Some of the most common temperature sensors include thermistors, thermocouples, and RTDs.
Contact temperature sensors need direct contact with the object they are measuring, while non-contact temperature sensors measure thermal radiation emitted by a heat source. These types of sensors are most often found in hazardous environments like nuclear power plants and thermal power plants.
These sensors come in a variety of shapes, sizes, types, and styles to fit your specific applications. Some of the most common include thermistors, thermocouples, RTDs, and temperature probes.
A thermistors is a type of temperature sensor that uses a wire that changes its resistance according to the temperature it is exposed to. There are many different thermistors on the market, so it is important to select one that best fits your needs.
Thermocouples are another type of temperature sensor that Sensor Accessories use two conductors made from different metals. These sensors are more accurate than thermistors and are also much more rugged.
RTDs are also a type of temperature sensor that uses varying electrical resistance to measure the temperature. They are constructed from precise conducting metals and are the most rugged of all contact temperature sensors.
These sensors are often more expensive than other types of temperature sensors but they have the best accuracy and sensitivity. They can be used in a wide range of applications and are very simple to use.
These sensors are a great choice for temperature monitoring of bioreactors, filtration and chromatography processes, filling operations, and general process monitoring. They connect to monitors via a reusable cable and are easy to clean. They can be used with the TEMP340 handheld unit, the PendoTECH Process Control System, and other pre-qualified third party monitors. They are also ideal for tubing measurement applications.
Pressure Sensors
Pressure sensors are devices used for detecting and recording changes in pressure. They are able to record pressure by measuring small physical deformations in the sensing element, which triggers the production of an output voltage. These values can be conditioned (adjusted for environmental factors), and transmitted as electrical signals or analogue or digital outputs to enable ongoing monitoring of pressure over time.
There are many different types of pressure sensors, depending on the type of pressure that they measure and the temperature ranges that they operate in. These include gauge, absolute, differential, and a variety of other types. Some of the most common types of pressure sensors include manometers, strain gauges, capacitance sensors, and piezoelectric sensors.
A gauge pressure sensor measures the pressure against a specific reference pressure, such as the ambient pressure of the environment. This type of pressure sensor is usually manufactured in a way that makes it difficult for atmospheric pressure fluctuations to affect the measurement result. Examples of gauge pressure sensors include the tire pressure gauge and air conditioning systems.
Absolute pressure sensors are a more accurate and precise form of measuring pressure. They use a semiconductor-sensitive component, such as sapphire, which can work well with pressure and resist changing temperature conditions. This type of sensor has a high operating speed and excellent resistance to radiation.
Some other types of pressure sensors are made from natural crystals that feature the piezoelectric effect. These are most commonly quartz/silica, but other types of piezoelectric materials can be used as well, including potassium sodium tartrate, dihydrogen phosphate, and barium titanate.
Piezoelectric pressure sensors use the piezoelectric effect to detect strain resulting from applied pressure. This technology is often used to monitor dynamic pressure, such as engine combustion.
These sensors can be used with a variety of accessories, including sensors that are mounted directly to the surface of the product being monitored. These sensors are often used for predictive maintenance, as they help prevent failures before they occur by determining if the product is in good working order.
In general, pressure sensors are compatible with a number of different accessories, such as pressure mats and process control systems. These accessories are designed to help users keep their equipment in optimum condition, which allows for safer and more efficient operations. The different types of accessories can be combined to create a system that meets all of the user’s requirements.
Proximity Sensors
Proximity sensors can be used in a wide variety of applications. They’re commonly found in mobile phones, and are often baked into the device to trigger face-unlocking features or to turn off the screen while on a call.
These sensors use a combination of various contactless sensing technologies (capacitive, ultrasonic, photoelectric, etc.) to detect the presence of a target. Some devices work by emitting an IR light and then detecting the reflection of that light to determine the distance of an object. Others work by detecting changes in the electrical capacity of an object that changes when it’s closer to the sensor than a given distance away from the device.
Capacitive sensors work by detecting changes in the capacitance between two plates (one of which is the sensor itself, and the other is the object being sensed). These sensors are typically able to detect both metallic and non-metallic objects, depending on the dielectric constant of the sensing objects.
They’re available in both AC and DC versions, and can be used in a wide range of applications. They can be operated with a DC voltage up to 30 VDC or a AC voltage up to 90-250 VAC, and output currents are generally rated from 5mA to 500mA.
Inductive proximity sensors are a popular choice in many automation applications. They have no moving parts to wear out, and they can withstand a number of contaminants without affecting their performance. They can also be installed in explosive zones or other harsh environments.
Using these sensors with other sensor accessories can help you create a smarter, safer and more efficient home or workplace. They can be used to control lights, alarms, and other devices.
The types of sensors vary by the sensor technology they use, so it’s important to select a device that fits your application and budget needs. Several specifications are important to consider, including a sensor’s sensing distance, set distance, switching frequency and response time, ingress rating, flush vs. non-flush, housing material and connection type.
Proximity sensors are a versatile sensor technology, and there’s no shortage of DIY projects that use them in some way. They’re especially useful in robotics, automotive electronics and more.
Accelerometers
Accelerometers are a versatile sensor accessory that can be used in a wide range of applications. They are used to detect and respond to changes in acceleration like movement or vibrations, and they can be found in everything from your handheld devices to the most complex machines.
These sensors are commonly used in digital devices such as tablets and digital cameras to determine which way the images on a screen are being displayed, or to help with inertial navigation systems in aircraft. They also measure the pitch orientation of an aircraft to help pilots correct it and keep it on target.
They can also be used in missiles to measure the apogee, which is the point that a rocket reaches before gravity pulls it back down. These sensors can be particularly useful for fighter jets, because they alert pilots when they are reaching this point and help them make crucial calculations to stay in the air.
Capacitive accelerometers are one of the cheapest Sensor Accessories and smallest types. They use a proof (seismic) mass suspended on springs to change the capacitance between a fixed and movable electrode when acceleration is applied. The change in the capacitance is converted to voltage by an ASIC* and then used to calculate acceleration.
Piezoelectric accelerometers, on the other hand, are a different type of device. They are a semiconductor and contain multiple piezoresistors that decrease their resistive value when a force is applied to them.
Their output is measured as an electrical charge, which can be converted to a signal by an amplifier. They are often used in high-g applications because they can provide an accurate output with a small package.
These accelerometers can be hermetically sealed for harsh environments and have detachable cables to protect them from the elements. They are the workhorses of industry, and they come in a variety of models with different sensitivity and shock limits.
The sensitivity of an accelerometer is defined by the acceleration amplitude it can tolerate without damage. This is not to be confused with shock limits, which define how high the accelerometer can handle before it breaks down.
