What types of Sensors there are currently?

Power by Owen Lan(A&S Sensor)

9th July.2012

Currently, there are too many types of sensors. Usually one object could be measured via difference types of sensors, also one sensor could measure many kinds of physical status. So we can classify sensors via difference usage and physical status. So I list many ways to classify sensors we often used.

1. According to Measurand:

1). Mechanical quantity: Displacement, force, speed, accelerated velocity etc.

2). Thermal quantity: Temperature, heat, flow, pressure, liquid level, etc.

3). Physical parameter: Thickness, viscosity, specific weight, PH etc.

4). State parameter: fissure, defect, leakage, abrase, etc.

And so no.

This way to classify sensors is base on the usage, in order to let user choice sensors more convenient, It’s better that user choice sensors base the measurand.

2. According to Theory Of Sensors’ work

We can divide the sensor into Resistive, inductive, capacitive, piezoelectric, photoelectric, fiber-optic magnetic, laser, ultrasonic sensor etc via its theory of works. Existing the sensor’s measurement principle is base on the effect and low of physical, chemical and biological, this way to classify sensors, it’s better to understand relation between input and output basically as well as to the professional research and analyse base on principle, design and use of sensors.

3. According to The Characteristic of Sign changed

1). The Structure type: Through changing of structure of sensors to change the sign. Such as: Capacitive sensors changes the distance between each polar plates to lead to the capacitive been changed.

2). The Physical type: Through changing the physical parameter of the material of sensors to change the sign. Such as: the mercury temperature, it use the Thermal expansion and contraction of mercury to measure the temperature.

4. According the Energy

1) The Energy Changed Type: This sensor works via receiving the energy from the object measured. Such as: thermocouple, Light tank, etc.

2) The Energy Controlled Type: This sensor starts works via receiving the energy form the external object measured, and through the measurand to control the changing.