2Sensors

Technical elements that provide conversion of a physical quantity to an informatively well-processed quantity, (e.g. pressure to electric current). Sensors are based on different physical principles and provide unification to signals, which could be processed in control systems. Nowadays commonly used term is the intelligent sensors - integrate all the measuring chain functions into one element with a digital output, e.g. using the data interface (RS-232C, RS-485, EIB etc.). Sensors typically consist of:

Sensors could be also divided by criteria:

  • Signal transformation – active, passive
  • Measured quantity – e.g. pressure, flow rate, temperature etc.
  • Manufacture technology – e.g. mechanical, electrochemical, etc.
  • Physical principles – resistance, conductivity, thermoelectric phenomena etc.
  • Interaction with the measuring environment – contact, contactless