2.
0 SENSORS (TRANSDUSERS)
The words 'sensor' and 'transducer' are both widely used in the
description of measurement systems.
A sensor/transducer is a device that measures a physical
quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an
observer or by an instrument.
For example
Mercury-in-glass thermometer converts the measured
temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which
can be read on a calibrated glass tube
A thermocouple converts temperature to an output voltage
which can be read by a voltmeter.
Definitions
Measurement is a direct comparison of a physical quantity to
some definite standard or measure of dimension called a unit.
Input signal Sensor Output signal
Measurement system
For accuracy, all sensors need to be calibrated against known
standards.
Sensors can be analog or digital ones;
Sensors cont…
Analog sensors: The measured value varies smoothly and
continuous with time. It incorporate scale and pointer to
display the values of measured quantities.
Digital sensors: Measured value varies in step-wise manner
(discrete) between two distinct magnitudes.
Sensor Terminology
Common terms used to define the performance of sensors are;
Accuracy: The closeness of the agreement between the result
of a measurement and a true value of the measurand. It is
quoted as a percentage of full-scale (f.s.d) reading of a sensor
i.e ±1.
Precision: Precision is the closeness of the agreement between
the results of successive measurements of the same measurand
carried out under the same conditions of measurement.
Precision is also called repeatability.
For example; 20.253, 20.252, 20.250, 20.251,
Precision is 20.253 – 20.250 = 0.003
Terminology cont…
Reproducibility: Closeness readings of successive
measurements carried out under different conditions (method
of measurement, observer, location and measuring instrument)
Resolution: Is the smallest change in measured quantity that
can be detected by sensor.
Range or Span: Is the limit between which reading can be
made (0 – 100)
Terminology cont…
Sensitivity: Indicates how much the sensor's output changes
when the measured quantity changes.
Drift or Bias: Describe the effect where the zero reading of
sensor is modified by change in ambient conditions. The
output signal is not zero while the measured physical is zero.
Sensor technology
Capacitive and Resistive sensors: Rely on the variation of
the capacitance and resistance of a material when the
measured variable is applied to it. Used in displacement
temperature measurement
Magnetic sensors: Utilize magnetic phenomena of
inductance, reluctance and eddy currents to indicate the value
of the measured quantity.
Piezoelectric transducers: Produce an output voltage when a
force is applied to them. Used as displacement transducer for
measuring acceleration, force and pressure.
Sensor technology cont…
Stain gauges: Change in resistance when they are stretched or
stained
Optical sensors (air path): Use air to transmit light between
a source and detector . Used to measure proximity,
translational motion, rotational motion and gas concentration.
The variable causes measurable change in the characteristics
of the light transmitted by cable.
Optical sensors (fibre-optic): Use fiber optical cable instead
of air to transmit light between a source and detector
Industrial Sensors
Common sensors that are normally used in industries for
measurements are,
Level measurement sensors
In all level measurement a sensing device interacts with
material inside a container. Common types include sight,
pressure, electric, sonic, and radiation
•Sight-type Instruments
There are three common sight-type level sensors: glass
gauges, displacers, and tape floats.
Glass Gauges
Two types of level glass gauges are used to measure liquid
level: tubular and flat.
The pressure that the liquid exerts in the tank forces the liquid
in the sight glass to rise to the same level as the liquid in the
tank
Displacers
Displacer level gauges operate on Archimedes’ principle: They
use the change in buoyant force acting on a partially
submerged displacer.
Archimedes' principle states that a body fully or partially
immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the
weight of the fluid displaced.
Displacers cont…
F= Wd = ρgV
Where
Wd = Weight of the displaced fluid
ρ = Density of the displaced fluid
V = Volume of the displaced fluid
g = Gravitational constant.
By measuring the buoyancy force produced by a displacer,
you can determine a level value
Tape Float
A tape is connected to a float on one end and to a
counterweight on the other to keep the tape under constant
tension.
The float motion makes the counterweight ride up and down a
direct-reading gauge board. The gauge board is calibrated to
indicate the liquid level in the tank.
Ball Float
A ball float attached to a rod, which in turn is connected to a
rotating shaft which indicates level on a calibrated scale
If the liquid levels change, the float will follow and change the
position of the pointer attached to the rotating shaft.
Magnetic Bond Float
Use magnetic attraction for level measurements
It is used when no stuffing box or cage. Also this method is
not very good for liquids with metal particles since magnets
can get displaced
Various Level Measurements
UNTIL NEXT
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