Types of Sensors, Advantages & Disadvantages of all types Sensors, Applications of Sensors
One type of feedback frequently needed by industrial-control systems is the position of one or more components of the operation being controlled. Sensors are devices used to provide
information on the presence or absence of an object.
Sensors include limit switches, photoelectric, inductive, capacitive, and ultrasonic sensors.
These products are packaged in various configurations to meet virtually any requirement found in commercial and industrial applications.
In addition to the advantages and disadvantages of each of these sensor types, different sensor technologies are better suited for certain applications. The following table lists the sensor technologies.
Sensor
|
Advantages
|
Disadvantages
|
Applications
|
Limit Switch Sensor
|
•High
Current Capability •Low Cost
•Familiar
“Low- Tech” Sensing |
· Requires Physical
Contact
with Target ·
Very Slow Response ·
Contact Bounce |
•Interlocking
•Basic
End-of- Travel
Sensing |
Photoelectric
Sensor
|
•Senses
all Kinds of Materials •Long Life
•Longest
Sensing Range •Very Fast
Response
Time |
•Lens
Subject to Contamination
•Sensing
Range Affected
by Color and
Reflectivity of Target
|
•Packaging
•Material
Handling
•Parts
Detection |
Inductive
Sensor
|
•Resistant
to Harsh Environments •Very Predictable
•Long Life
•Easy to
Install |
•Distance
Limitations
|
•Industrial
& Machines
•Machine
Tool •Senses
Metal- Only
Targets |
Capacitive
Sensor
|
•Detects
Through Some Containers •Can
Detect Non-Metallic Targets
|
•Very
Sensitive to Extreme
Environmental
Changes
|
•Level
Sensing |
Ultrasonic
Sensor
|
•Senses
all Materials |
•Resolution
•Repeatability
•Sensitive
to Temperature
Changes
|
•Anti-Collision
•Doors
•Web Brake
•Level
Control |