rotary encoder A sensor for determining the angular position of a rotating shaft, encoded as a pattern, or a series of pulses, carried on the shaft and read by the sensor |
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proximity sensor A sensor for monitoring the (small) distance to a given object |
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temperature sensor A sensor for monitoring the temperature (of an object or environment) |
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level sensor A sensor for monitoring the proportion of substance in a container out of the total volume available |
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level switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts at a preset threshold level (for example of a liquid in a container) |
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push-button switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts as its control is pushed in, or allowed to spring out |
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pressure sensor A sensor for monitoring the pressure (usually of a gas in a pipe or container) |
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pressure switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts at a preset threshold pressure (for example of a gas in a pipe or container) |
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displacement sensor A sensor for monitoring the angular displacement from the initial or reference position |
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absolute encoder A device (analog or digital) that outputs electrical signal(s) to indicate the position (linear or angular) with respect to a reference position |
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accelerometer A device for measuring the amount of acceleration (rate of change of velocity) |
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incremental encoder A device (analog or digital) that outputs an electrical signal to indicate a change of the physical position (linear or angular) |
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position sensor A sensor for monitoring the linear or angular displacement from the initial or reference position |
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safety switch An electrical or electronic switch that is used for avoiding dangerous situations, or for applying quickly in case of need of remedial action |
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ultrasonic sensor A device that converts an ultrasonic acoustic signal into an electrical one |
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capacitive sensor A sensor that measures the strength of an electrostatic field between a electrical plate and the surface whose height is being measured, in order to calculate distance between them |
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linear encoder A device (analog or digital) that outputs electrical signal(s) to indicate the linear displacement from the initial or reference position |
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linear sensor A device for monitoring or measuring a given physical parameter that gives an output that is proportional to the measured value |
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pressure transducer A device that converts the measurement of the pressure (for example of a gas in a pipe or container) into a corresponding electrical signal |
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force sensor A sensor for monitoring the amount of force being applied to the given object |
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torque sensor A sensor for monitoring the amount of mechanical twisting force being applied |
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laser sensor A sensor that gives an electrical output corresponding to optical input from a laser source |
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proximity switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts when an object approaches below a certain threshold distance |
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humidity sensor A sensor for monitoring the amount of water (humidity) dissolved in a gas (often air) |
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float level switch
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float switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts at a preset threshold level (for example of a liquid in a container), using a float on the liquid's surface as the mechanical means of switching the switch |
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photoelectric sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of light falling on it. Used as a light sensor, or as a converter for fiber optic to electrical signals |
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inductive sensor A sensor that gives a signal that is proportional to its inductance (and hence an indication of the proximity of any electrically conductive objects) |
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limit switch An electric switch that is opened or closed by a mechanical device as it reaches the preset limit of its travel |
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magnetic sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of a magnetic field |
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piezoelectric accelerometer
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distance sensor A sensor for monitoring the distance to a given object |
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flow sensor A sensor that measures the rate of flow of a fluid (for example by taking the square-root of the pressure differential) |
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ultrasonic transducer A device that converts ultrasonic energy to or from electrical energy. Such devices can, therefore, be used as sensors, or for providing input or output (or power), to or from electronic systems |
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isolating switch A power switch that is normally closed, but that can be opened, possibly in an emergency, thereby isolating the electrical equipment from the mains supply |
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disconnector switch
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rotary switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts as its central spindle is turned |
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color sensor A sensor that gives a signal when light of a particular wavelength is impinging on it. Generally used in combination with other color sensors that react to other wavelengths of light |
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gas sensor A sensor for monitoring the proportion of certain gas (or class of gases) in a sample (such as air) |
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weight sensor
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flow switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts at a preset threshold rate of flow (for example of a liquid in a pipe or channel) |
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rotary sensor
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vacuum switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts at a preset threshold partial vacuum |
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speed sensor A sensor for measuring or monitoring the speed with respect to the environment |
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toggle switch
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electrochemical sensor
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oxygen sensor A sensor for monitoring or measuring the proportion of oxygen present in a sample of gas |
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rocker switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts as its control is rocked (or rotated) between up and down (or left and right) |
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image sensor An array of photoelectric sensors that acts as the retina for a digital electronic camera, turning the impinging image into a corresponding sequence of electrical pixel levels |
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magnetostrictive sensor
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position transducer
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displacement transducer A displacement sensor (converting to a corresponding electrical signal) using just the energy extracted in the mechanical displacement |
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optical sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of light falling on it |
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vibration sensor A sensor for monitoring the amount of mechanical or acoustic vibration |
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reed switch Typically comprised of a thin glass envelope containing two slivers of material, usually magnetic, with electrical switch contacts between them. Usually inserted in the narrow space at the center of a small electro-magnet, so forming a reed relay |
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draw wire sensor
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temperature switch An electrical switch that makes and breaks its contacts at a preset threshold temperature |
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thermal sensor A sensor that reacts or gives an output in the presence of heat radiation falling on it |
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fiber optic sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of light in a fiber optic cable, and therefore used as a converter for fiber optic to electrical signals |
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key-lock switch An electrical rotary switch that makes and breaks its contacts as its control is rotated (but since this is achieved by turning a key in a lock, it requires it to be the right key for the lock before it will allow any rotation) |
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position switch An electronic switch that is used for indicating the present position of an object to the electronic system |
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acoustic sensor A sensor for monitoring the level of sound, or of acoustic energy |
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linear transducer A device that converts one type of energy proportionately to another, notably to or from electrical energy. Such devices can, therefore, be used as sensors, or for providing input or output (or power), to or from electronic systems |
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optoelectronic sensor
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angular position sensor
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CCD sensor An array of photoelectric charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors that acts as the retina for a digital electronic camera, turning the impinging image into a corresponding sequence of electrical pixel levels |
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current sensor A device for monitoring or measuring the presence of an electric current flowing in a cable |
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Hall effect sensor A device for monitoring or measuring the strength of a magnetic field, using the Hall effect |
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magnetic switch An electronic switch that makes and breaks its contacts in the presence of a magnetic field, of a preset threshold strength |
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analog sensor A device for monitoring or measuring a given physical parameter that gives an analog electronic output |
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current transducer A device that converts magnetic energy, from the current flowing in a conductor, to electrical energy. Such devices can, therefore, be used as sensors, or for providing input to electronic systems (such as for taking measurements) |
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safety sensor A device for monitoring or measuring a given physical parameter whose value would indicate a danger if it exceeds a given threshold value |
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transfer switch An electrical power switch that automatically switches over to a backup supply (such as a generator or battery) when the primary power fails |
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vision sensor A system that receives its input from an image sensor, that starts to interpret the image from the sequence of electrical pixel levels |
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collision sensor A sensor that gives a signal when it detects that a collision has occurred |
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emergency stop switch A power switch that is normally closed, but that can be opened rapidly in an emergency. It is normally placed in a prominent, easily accessible place, and is made large and brightly colored to draw attention to its location |
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