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Anonymous
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Asked: 2020-01-17T00:52:44+00:00 In: ,

What is the difference between sensor and transducer?

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Sometimes, sensors and transducers are used as synonymous. Sensors and transducers are used to measure physical states such as temperature, light, displacement and heat. The design and functionality of these devices are somehow diverse.

What are the key differences between sensor and transducers?

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    2 Answers

    1. Level 3

      These instruments are used in a wide variety of electrical and electronic equipment. But people can’t make a difference between the sensor and the transducer because sometimes transducers are found in sensors.

      The key difference between sensor and transducer are the following:

      • The sensor detects the physical changes in the form of specific quantities. On the other side, a transducer is used to turn one particular kind of energy into another form.
      • For the sake of sensing and processing, the sensor does not have any other component, but for a transducer, a sensor and signal conditioning device is used.
      • The primary function of the sensor is to sensitize physical changes in the environment, but a transducer is used to translate physical quantities into electric signals.
      • The sensor is by its own, whereas signal conditioning and sensor can be a part of a transducer.
      • A sensor cannot be a transducer, but a sensor is always included in the transducer.
      • A sensor is less complex in performance compared to a transducer. It converts a given amount into a different physical quantity directly, such as resistance or capacitance. On the other side, a transducer is a more complex tool because it is designed to convert the actual quantity supplied to the input component into a specific output signal such as voltage or current. Therefore, the conditioning mechanism and sensing components are fused by a transducer to provide output signals that are proportional to input quantities.
      • A sensor tests only a measurable quantity and cannot alone provide data to the desired device. But a transducer is capable of transferring energy into different forms. It is used to provide feedback via the output device to the desired system until proper processing in the signal conditioning unit takes place.
      • Sensor examples include a barometer, gyroscope and accelerometer, whereas the examples for transducers are thermocouple, thermistor and antennas.
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    3. Level 1

      A sensor is defined as a device which measures and converts a physical quality such as light, sound or space and transforms them into a readable format. Sensors are highly accurate instruments if set correctly. The majority of transducers are considered as sensors but not all of them.

      For example, a thermistor is a type of sensor which can respond to a change in temperature; it will react to temperature changes but does not transform the energy into another form to what it was initially sensed.

      A transducer is an electronic device that converts energy from one type to another. Such instruments generally cover different energy forms such as mechanical energy, electrical energy, light energy, chemical, thermal, acoustic and electromagnetic.

      An electrical signal (voltage) or resistance (that is converted to voltage) is transformed by input transducers. Input transducers are also called sensors such as temperature is transformed into resistance by a thermistor. A single thermistor is a sensor, but it becomes an element of a transducer when integrated into a larger circuit or device. Microphones, loudspeaker, thermometers, pressure and position sensors, and antennas are the most common examples.

      The terms ‘ sensor ‘ and ‘ transducer ‘ are often used interchangeably even when they have different devices. Both sensors and transducers respond to changes in the physical quality of their environment. The principal distinction is that a sensor senses the difference or change in the environment in which it is exposed and offers the same display format.

      On the other hand, a transducer measures the quantity in one way and transforms it into another, for example, a measure that is not electrical and converts it into an electrical signal. This process is referred to as “transduction.”

      Sometimes transducers are called sensors and vice versa, which may make it difficult to tell the difference. But the transducer may also be an actuator when electrical input is converted to power. Thus, a transducer is more common than a sensor.

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