Classification of Transducers

Classification of Transducers: The Classification of Transducers is done in many ways. Some of the criteria for the classification are based on their area of application, Method of energy conversion, Nature of output signal, According to Electrical principles involved, Electrical parameter used, principle of operation, & Typical applications. The transducers can be classified broadly.

 i.On the basis of transduction form used

 ii. As primary and secondary transducers

 iii. As active and passive transducers
 iv. As transducers and inverse transducers.

 Broadly one such generalization is concerned with energy considerations wherein they are classified as active & Passive transducers. A component whose output energy is supplied entirely by its input signal (physical quantity under measurement) is commonly called a „passive transducer‟. In other words, the passive transducers derive the power required for transduction from an auxiliary source. Active transducers are those which do not require an auxiliary power source to produce their output. They are also known as self-generating type since they produce their own voltage or current output. Some of the passive transducers ( electrical transducers), their electrical parameter (resistance, capacitance, etc), the principle of operation and applications are listed below.

Resistive Transducers 

1. Resistance Strain Gauge – The change in value of resistance of metal semi-conductor due to elongation or compression is known by the measurement of torque, displacement or force. 

2. Resistance Thermometer – The change in resistance of metal wire due to the change in temperature known by the measurement of temperature. 

3. Resistance Hygrometer – The change in the resistance of conductive strip due to the change of moisture content is known by the value of its corresponding humidity. 

4. Hot Wire Meter – The change in resistance of a heating element due to convection cooling of a flow of gas is known by its corresponding gas flow or pressure. 

5. Photoconductive Cell – The change in resistance of a cell due to a corresponding change in light flux is known by its corresponding light intensity. 

6. Thermistor – The change in resistance of a semi-conductor that has a negative co-efficient of resistance is known by its corresponding measure of temperature.

7. Potentiometer Type – The change in resistance of a potentiometer reading due to the movement of the slider as a part of an external force applied is known by its corresponding pressure or displacement. 

Capacitance Transducers 

1. Variable capacitance pressure gage - Principle of operation:
 Distance between two parallel plates is varied by an externally applied force Applications: Measurement of Displacement, pressure.

2. Capacitor microphone Principle of operation:
 Sound pressure varies the capacitance between a fixed plate and a movable diaphragm. Applications: Speech, music, noise.

3. Dielectric gauge
Principle of operation: Variation in capacitance by changes in the dielectric. Applications: Liquid level, thickness.

Inductance Transducers 

1. Magnetic circuit transducer Principle of operation: Self inductance or mutual inductance of ac-excited coil is varied by changes in the magnetic circuit. Applications: Pressure, displacement.

2. Reluctance pickup Principle of operation: Reluctance of the magnetic circuit is varied by changing the position of the iron core of a coil. Applications: Pressure, displacement, vibration, position.

3.  Differential transformer Principle of operation: The differential voltage of two secondary windings of a transformer is varied by positioning the magnetic core through an externally applied force. Applications: Pressure, force, displacement, position.

4.Eddy current gage Principle of operation: Inductance of a coil is varied by the proximity of an eddy current plate. Applications: Displacement, thickness.

5.  Magnetostriction gauge Principle of operation: Magnetic properties are varied by pressure and stress. Applications: Force, pressure, sound.

Voltage and current Transducers 

1. Hall effect pickup Principle of operation: A potential difference is generated across a semiconductor plate  (germanium) when magnetic flux interacts with an applied current. Applications: Magnetic flux, current .

2  Ionization chamber Principle of operation: Electron flow induced by ionization of gas due to radioactive radiation. Applications: Particle counting, radiation.

3.  Photoemissive cell Principle of operation: Electron emission due to incident radiation on photoemissive surface. Applications: Light and radiation.

4.  Photomultiplier tube Principle of operation: Secondary electron emission due to incident radiation on photosensitive cathode. Applications: Light and radiation, photo-sensitive relays.

Self-Generating Transducers (No External Power) – Active Transducers 

They do not require an external power, and produce an analog voltage or current when stimulated by some physical form of energy.

 

1.  Thermocouple and thermopile Principle of operation: An emf is generated across the junction of two dissimilar metals or semiconductors when that junction is heated. Applications: Temperature, heat flow, radiation. 

2.  Moving-coil generator Principle of operation: Motion of a coil in a magnetic field generates a voltage. Applications: Velocity. Vibration 

3.   Piezoelectric pickup An emf is generated when an external force is applied to certain crystalline materials, such as quartz Sound, vibration. acceleration, pressure changes 

4.  Photovoltaic cell Principle of operation: A voltage is generated in a semi-conductor junction device when radiant energy stimulates the cell Applications: Light meter, solar cell.

Primary Transducers and Secondary Transducers- Bourden tube acting as a primary detecter senses the pressure and converts the pressure into a displacement of its free end.The displacement of the free end moves the core of a linear variable differential transformer(LVDT) which produces an output voltage. 

Analog Transducers-These transducers convert the input quantity into an analog output which is a continuous function of time. ◦ Strain Gauge ◦ LVDT ◦ Thermocouple ◦ Thermistor.

Digital Transducers-These transducers convert the input quantity into an electrical output which is in the form of pulses. ◦ Glass Scale can be read optically by means of a light source,an optical system and photocells .

Transducers and Inverse Transducers- -A Transducer can be broadly defined as a device which converts a non-electrical quantity into an electrical quantity. Ex:-Resistive,inductive and capacitive transducers -An inverse transducer is defined as a device which converts an electrical quantity into a non-electrical quantity. Ex:-Piezoelectric crystals.

Advantages of Electrical transducers

Mostly quantities to be measured are non-electrical such as temperature, pressure, displacement, humidity, fluid flow, speed etc., but these quantities cannot be measured directly. Hence such quantities are required to be sensed and changed into some other form for easy measurement. Electrical quantities such as current, voltage, resistance, inductance and capacitance etc. can be conveniently measured, transferred and stored, and, therefore, for measurement of the non-electrical quantities these are to be converted into electrical quantities first and ten measured. The function of converting non-electrical quantity into electrical one is accomplished by a device called the electrical transducer. Basically an electrical transducer is a sensing device by which a physical, mechanical or optical quantity to be measured is transformed directly, with a suitable mechanism, into an electrical signal (current, voltage and frequency). The production of these signals is based upon electrical effects which may be resistive, inductive, capacitive etc. in nature. The input versus output energy relationship takes a definite reproducible function. The output to input and the output to time behavior is predictable to a known degree of accuracy, sensitivity and response, within the specified environmental conditions. Electrical transducers have numerous advantages. Modern digital computers have made use of electrical transducers absolutely essential. 

Electrical transducers suffer due to some draw-backs too, such as low reliability in comparison to that of mechanical transducers due to the ageing and drift of the active components and comparative high cost of electrical transducers and associated signal conditioners. In some cases the accuracy and resolution attainable are not as high as in mechanical transducers. Some of the advantages are:

1. Electrical amplification and attenuation can be done easily and that to with a static device. 

2. The effect of friction is minimized. 

3. The electric or electronic system can be controlled with a very small electric power. 

4. The electric power can be easily used, transmitted and process for the purpose of measurement. 

Factor to be considered while selecting transducer

It should have high input impedance and low output impedance, to avoid loading effect. 

It should have good resolution over is entire selected range. 

It must be highly sensitive to desired signal and insensitive to unwanted signal. Preferably small in size. 

It should be able to work n corrosive environment. 

It should be able to withstand pressure, shocks, vibrations etc.

It must have high degree of accuracy and repeatability.

Selected transducer must be free from errors.  

The transducer circuit should have overload protection so that it will withstand overloads.

Requirements of a good transducers 

• Smaller in size and weight. 

• High sensitivity. 

• Ability to withstand environmental conditions. 

• Low cost.