DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
LECTURE NOTES
TRANSDUCER AS INPUT ELEMENT TO THE
INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM
Prepared by Lihakanga.R
Objective
Upon completion of this lecture you will be
able to
Understand basic idea on instrumentation
system
Know what is transducer.
Know when transducer is considered as
sensor.
Know when transducer is considered as an
actuator.
Know how to select suitable transducer
when designing .
Know basic operation of widely used
mechanical transducers.
Content
Basic instrumentation system.
Classification of transducers.
How to select transducer.
Mechanical transducers.
Basic instrumentation system
Basic instrumentation cont…
Transducer-Is the device that convert one form of
energy to another form.
Sensor (Input transducer)-Is the device that converts
the physical/non physical quantity to be measured
into electrical signal so it can be processed or
transmitted electronically.
Signal conditioning circuit- this include amplifier,
signal converter circuit, comparator, filters and circuit
that carry out mathematical operation.
Actuator (output transducer)-A device that converts
the modified electrical signal into non electrical
signal.
Classification of transducers
Passive transducer (externally
powered).
Active transducer (internally
powered).
Passive transducers
Resistive transducers
Potentiometric device-Positioning of slide by an external force varies the
resistance in potentiometer or bridge.
-used to measure pressure, displacement.
Resistance strain gage-resistance of wire/semiconductor is changed by
elongation or compression due to externally applied force.
-used to measure force, torque, displacement.
Thermistor-resistance of certain metal oxide with negative temperature
coefficient of resistance varies with temperature.
-used to measure temperature.
Photoconductive-resistance of a cell change as circuit element varies with
incident light.
-used as photosensitive relay.
Resistive hygrometer-resistance of conductive strip change awith moisture
content
-used to measure relative humidity.
Passive transducer cont….
Capacitive transducers
Dielectric gage-variation in capacitance by change in dielectric.
-used to measure thickness, liquid level.
Capacitor microphone-Sound pressure varies the capacitance btn fixed plate and
movable diaphram.
-used I measuring speech, music, noise.
Variable capacitance pressure gage-distance btn two parallel plates is varied by
externally applied force.
Used to measure displacement, pressure.
Inductive transducers
Reluctance pick up-reluctance of magnetic circuit is varied by changing the position
of iron core of the circuit.
-used to measure pressure, displacement, vibration, position.
Differential transformer-the differential voltage of two secondary windings of a
transformer is varied by positioning the magnetic core through an externally
applied force.
-used to measure pressure, force, displacement, position
Passive transducer cont…..
Voltage/current transducer
Photoemmisive cell-electron emission due to
incident radiation on photo emissive surface.
-used to measure light, radiation.
Hall effect pick up-potential defference is
generated across semiconductor plate
(germanium) when magnetic flux interacts
with an applied current.
-used to measure magnetic flux, current.
Active transducer
Photovoltaic cell-voltage is generated in a
semiconductor junction device when radiant energy
stimulates the cell.
-used in light meter, solar cell.
Piezo electric pick up-an emf is generated when an
external force is applied to a certain crystalline
material such as quartz.
-used to measure sound, vibration, acceleration,
pressure change.
Moving coil generator-motion of of a coil in a magnetic
field generates voltage.
-used to measure velocity, vibration.
How to select transducer
What is the physical quantity to be measured?
Which transducer principle can best be used to measure this quantity?
What accuracy is required for this measurement?
-Fundamental transducer parameters.
-Physical condition.
-Ambient condition.
-Environment condition.
-Compatibility of the associated equipment.
Reducing the total measurement error
-Artificially controlling environment to minimize error.
-Simultaneously monitoring the environment and correcting data
accordingly.
Mechanical Transducers
Potentiometric
Mechanical Transducers cont…
Capacitive
Mechanical Transducers cont…
Inductive (LVDT)
Mechanical Transducers cont…
Strain gauge
END OF THE LECTURE
THANK YOU.
