Transducers

Hi friends! I think you all have heard the word “Transducer”. Now I just want to share some information about it.

Generally a Transducer can be defined as a device that transforms or converts one form of energy into another form i.e. non electrical quantity is converted into electrical quantity to measure, manipulate and control. In modern techniques, transducers are used to convert any form of energy into electrical energy. Many physical parameters such as heat, intensity, flow of rate can also be converted into electrical form by using Transducers.  Transducers can also be called as Sensor, Pickups, and Signal generators.

Characteristics of Transducers:-

The desirable characteristics of transducers are:-

1.     Faithful conversion of physical quantities to electrical form.

2.     Linearity between physical quantity and electrical analog.

3.     Small in size and less weight.

4.     High sensitivity.

5.     Good reliability.

6.     Low cost

7.     Withstands against extreme environmental conditions

Classifications of Transducers:-

Transducers may be classified on the basis of transduction form used, they are:-

1.     Primary and Secondary transducers: - The transducer which senses to a physical phenomenon and converts it into non electrical form is called as Primary transducer.

The transducer which senses to a physical quantity and converts into an analogous electrical quantity is called as Secondary transducer.

2.     Passive and active transducers: - The transducer which drives the power required for transduction from an auxiliary source is called as passive transducer.

Active Transducer

The transducer which does not require an auxiliary source to produce electrical output is called as an Active transducer.

3.     Analog and Digital transducers:-

Analog Transducer

    The transducer which converts the input quantity into an analog output as a continuous function of time is called an Analog transducer.

Digital Transducer

The transducer which converts input quantity into an electrical output in the form of pulse is called as a Digital transducer.

4.     Transducers and Inverse transducers: - The device which converts a non mechanical quantity into an electrical quantity is called as Transducers.

The device which converts an electrical quantity into a non electrical quantity is called as an inverse transducer.

Applications of Transducers:-

Some of the important applications are:-

·        Measurement of mass and volume.

·        Measurement of force and volume.

·        Measurement of stress and strain.

·        Measurement of speed and acceleration.

·        Measurement of temperature.

·        Measurement of pressure and differential pressure.

·        Measurement of flow and liquid level.

·        Measurement of moisture content and humidity.

·        Measurement of conductivity.