Sensors

What is a sensor and how does it work?

A sensor is a device that provides information about the presence of a certain phenomenon or the achievement of a set value. It can detect physical quantities from the surrounding environment or from the monitored object and convert them into a measurable electrical signal.

Sensors are an important element of modern automated systems, Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT), as they provide the necessary data for informed decision-making, process optimization and predictive maintenance.

There are many different types of sensors that use different physical principles:

• Temperature sensors: They change their electrical resistance or generate voltage depending on the temperature (e.g. thermistors, thermocouples).
• Pressure sensors: Detect the force acting on a surface, often by changing the electrical resistance of strain gauges.
• Position and distance sensors: May use optical (infrared, laser), ultrasonic, or magnetic principles to determine the position or distance of an object.
• Motion and acceleration sensors: For example, accelerometers and gyroscopes detect movement and orientation using piezoelectric effects or changes in capacitance.
• Humidity sensors: Measure the water vapor content of the air, often by changing the electrical capacitance or resistance of a material.
• Optical sensors: Detect light, its intensity, color, or the presence of objects, such as photodiodes or phototransistors.