Whatis a transducer?
Transducer is a device that receives energy from one system and can be converted into another. If we give input to a transducer, it will give us an output which can be analog, digital
or frequency modulated.A transducer is an electronic device that converts energy from one form to another. Common examples include microphones, loudspeakers, thermometers, position and pressure sensors, and antenna. Although not generally thought of as transducers, photocells, LEDs (light-emitting diodes), and even common light bulbs are transducers.
Types of transducers:-
- Electrical transducer
- Mechanicaltransducer
- Electrical transducer: –
In this, the quantity to be measured (physical, mechanical, or optical) is converted into electrical voltage /current proportional to the input with the help of some suitable mechanism.
It must have following parameters: –
- Linearity between physical parameter and the resulting electrical output.
- Sensitivity (electrical output/unit change in physical parameter)
- Dynamic range (operating range must be wide)
- Repeatability (input/output relation must be predictable)
- Physical size (less weight and volume of the device)
Electrical transducer can be again classified as:
- Active transducer: –
It produces an electrical signal in response to the physical parameters. It doesn’t need external power supply for operation.
E.g. piezo-electric sensor,Photovoltaic cell
- Passive transducer: –
It uses an external source for the device to operate. They are dependent on R, L, and C Parameters.
E.g. strain gauges,Thermistors, etc.
Applications: –
Mostly used to measure non electrical quantities.
E.g. resistive transducer,
Inductive transducer,
Capacitive transducer.
References:-
- Electronic instrumentation by Kalsi