Pressure sensors form an integral part of industrial processes. They are widely used in manufacturing industries. The benefits of using pressure sensors have contributed to their large-scale use. Here are some of the reasons why pressure sensors are used in industrial plants:

Monitoring pressure

This is the first reason why pressure sensors are used. They can keep a constant check on the pressure applied during an industrial process. This relates to both the pressure of gases as well as liquids.

Accurate measurements

Pressure sensors use hi-tech electronics so you can get accurate measurements. Such exact calibrations come in handy, especially while dealing with a sensitive working environment. Accurate pressure measurements can be a key part of the industrial process.

Initiating an alarm

Besides monitoring the pressure, pressure sensors can sound an alarm or send an electrical signal whenever the pressure imposed crosses a certain limit. This alerts the machine operator so they can take the necessary steps. Some pressure sensors can shut down the machinery automatically using a PLC system.

Pressure sensors have revolutionised industrial systems and without them many machines could no longer work.

Linear position sensors utilise non-contact and contact methods to measure the speed and/or position of an object. They also use different sensing technologies for accurate measurement.

While capacitance sensors are used with both non-conductive and conductive materials, they are quite sensitive to environmental variables.

Eddy current sensors comprise of two coils – an active coil for indicating the presence of a conducting target and a secondary coil for completing the bridge circuit.

Fibre optic sensors utilise a pair of adjoining fibres to carry the light to a target and returned light from the object.

Inductive sensors are non-contact devices used for determining the co-ordinates of an object from a reference point.

Linear encoders digitise and sense the position changes of a device for control systems.

On the other hand, linear potentiometers produce a resistance output that is proportional to the position or displacement of the object.

LVDTs or linear variable differential transformers produce electrical outputs that are proportional to the position of a cylindrical, solid core.

Other types of distance sensors

In the case of magneto-resistive sensors, the resistance of the conducting strip works as a function of magnitude and direction of the applied magnetic field. With these sensors, the displacement infers with the change of magnetic field that is generated from a ferromagnetic material.

While photo-electrical sensors use reflected light to measure displacement or distance, ultrasonic sensors reflect the acoustic signals to determine the distance depending on the measurement medium’s propagation velocity and the signal’s return time. Before purchasing distance sensors, it is always recommended to thoroughly understand your application needs.