Instrumentation – Introduction: Sensors & Transducers

ØSensor 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

ØThis signal must be produced by some type of energy, such as heat, light, motion, or

chemical reaction. Once a sensor detects one or more of these signals (an input), it

converts it into an analog or digital representation of the input signal

ØSensors are used in all aspects of life to detect and/or measure many different

Conditions.

ØTransducer is a device that converts one form of energy into another form

•For Example: A microphone converts sound into electrical impulses and a loudspeaker Converts Electrical impulses into sound (i.e., sound energy to electrical energy and vice versa)

ØFor Example: thermocouple, is able to sense changes in temperature and produce

output voltages.