In the world of technology and measurement, the difference between a transducer and a sensor is vast. A converter is a device that transforms one type of energy, such as mechanical energy into electrical signals, to another.
On the other hand, a sensor converts a device that detects and responds to a specific input such as light, temperature, pressure and motion into a measurable output. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, it is necessary to know their specific characteristics and function.
This article will explore the differences between transducers and sensors. Also, we’ll cover some frequently asked questions to further your understanding of these important pieces of electronics.
What is a Sensor?
A sensor is a device that senses any physical quantity such as pressure, light, temperature, temperature, humidity, etc. from the external environment and responds accordingly to the input to produce the desired output in an easily readable form for the user.
The output generated by a sensor is an electrical signal that can be converted to display in a human readable form or transmitted over a network or transmitted to an operating device etc. Some common examples of sensors are temperature sensor, pressure sensor, humidity sensor, . proximity sensor, image sensor, motion sensor.
What is a Transducer?
A device used to convert energy from one form to another is known as a converter. A transducer can also be used to convert a non-electrical quantity into an electrical signal. The basic components of a transformer are the input device, the actuator, and the output device.
The process of transferring energy from one form to another in a transformer is known as conduction. Whereas, the transfer is completed following two steps.
Difference between Transducer and Sensor
| Transducer | Sensor |
| Converts one form of energy into another form. | Senses physical quantities and converts them into signals read by an instrument. |
| Converts electricity to electromagnetic waves | Senses physical quantity and converts it into an analog quantity |
| Examples of Transducers: Antenna, microphones, loudspeakers | Examples of a Sensor: LED, touch sensors in automobiles, pressure switches. |
| Converts the measured quantity into a standard electrical signal like -10 to +10V DC | Measures voltage, capacitance, inductance, and ohmic resistance |
The differences are obvious, let’s look at some examples. Accelerometer, speedometer, is a type of sensor. It detects changes in speed and converts them into electrical signals for further analysis.
It is important to note that the main difference between sensors and transducers is their basic function. A converter focuses on converting one form of energy to another, while a sensor focuses on detecting and measuring a specific input.
