Diferencia entre SENSORES y TRANSDUCTORES y cómo funcionan
How Do Sensors and Transducers Work?
Introduction to Sensors and Transducers
- The video discusses the role of sensors in electronic devices, explaining how they acquire information from the environment and transmit it as electrical signals.
- It highlights the importance of sensors and transducers in various fields, particularly in industrial automation, where they are essential for accurate operation.
Types of Sensors
- Sensors are classified based on the physical magnitude they measure; examples include microphones (sound), thermocouples (temperature), photodiodes (optical), and pressure gauges (pressure).
- Physical magnitudes refer to measurable properties that can be expressed quantitatively through numbers.
Differences Between Sensors and Transducers
- Active sensors generate an electrical signal directly without needing external power, while passive sensors require a powered circuit to produce usable signals.
- A transducer combines both sensor types, converting physical changes into electrical signals for further processing.
Key Parameters of Sensors and Transducers
- The transfer function or characteristic of a transducer relates input signals to output signals mathematically; this can be linear or nonlinear.
- Important parameters include measurement range (operating limits), resolution (minimum detectable change), sensitivity (output variation per input change), and response time (speed of output signal generation).
Practical Examples
- An example is given with a pressure control system in a pipe ranging from 50 to 150 PSI. A diaphragm detects pressure changes, sending analog signals that are processed by a PLC.
Temperature Difference and Electron Movement
Understanding Temperature-Induced Electron Movement
- A temperature difference between two extremes causes electrons to move towards the cooler area, creating a potential difference with a specific voltage that measurement instruments can interpret as temperature.
Rotary Encoder: Angular Position Transducer
- Inside a rotary encoder, known as an angular position transducer, there is a slotted encoding disk (Alberti disk) mounted on the rotation axis. This disk works in conjunction with light sources and fixed optical sensors, typically photodiodes.
- As the axis rotates, light sources illuminate the Alberti disk; light passing through its slots reaches optical sensors. These sensors generate output signals that create a unique code pattern indicating the exact position of the axis.
Importance of PLC in Signal Interpretation
- To interpret signals from sensors and transducers effectively, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is essential. The video suggests consulting previous videos for further understanding of PLCs and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).