2.1.

Digital Output Sensors

www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Sensors
A sensor is a device that detects the change in the environment and
responds to some output on the other system
A sensor converts a physical phenomenon into a measurable analog voltage
(or sometimes a digital signal) converted into a human-readable display or
transmitted for reading or further processing

• Proximity • Position/Velocity
– Mechanical – Encoders
– Optical – Tacho-generator
– Inductive/Capacitive • Force/Pressure
• Vibration/acceleration

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Sensors
Definitions
• Accuracy: The agreement between the actual value and the measured
value
• Resolution: The change in measured variable to which the sensor will
respond
• Repeatability: Variation of sensor measurements when the same
quantity is measured several times
• Range: Upper and lower limits of the variable that can be measured
• Sensitivity and Linearity

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Proximity Sensors
Widely used in general industrial automation
– Conveyor lines (counting, jam detection, etc)
– Machine tools (safety interlock, sequencing)
• Usually digital (on/off) sensors detecting the presence or absence of
an object.
• Consist of:
– Sensor head: optical, inductive, capacitive
– Detector circuit
– Amplifier
– Output circuit: TTL, solid state relay
www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Limit Switch
Widely used in general industrial automation
– Conveyor lines (counting, jam detection, etc)
– Machine tools (safety interlock, sequencing)
• Usually digital (on/off) sensors detecting the presence or absence of
an object.
• Consist of:
– Sensor head: optical, inductive, capacitive
– Detector circuit
– Amplifier
– Output circuit: TTL, solid state relay
www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Limit Switch
•Essentially a mechanical switch
•On/off operation only
•Two general modes –Normally Open (NO) –
Normally Closed (NC)
•Come in a wide variety of mechanical forms
•For a wide range of uses

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Limit Switch
Where Limit Switches is possible:

 Where definitive position is required

 In operation-critical or safety-critical
situations
 Where environment conditions preclude
the use of optical or inductive sensors

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Other Mechanical Switches

Level switch: mechanical switch that actuated by the level of a fluid

Pressure switch: mechanical switch that actuated by the pressure in a fluid
or air system
Flow switch: mechanical switch that actuated by the flow rate of a fluid
Temperature switch: mechanical switch that actuated by a value of
temperature
Speed switch: mechanical switch that is actuated once a certain speed
reached

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Photoelectric Sensors

• Consist of a light source (LED) and light detector (phototransistor)

• Modulation of signal to minimize ambient lighting conditions
• Various models: 12-30 VDC, 24-240 VAC, power
• Output: TTL 5V, Solid-state relay, etc.

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Photoelectric Sensors
Operational Modes
• Through Beam:
–Long range (20m)
–Alignment is critical!
• Retro-reflective
–Range 1-3m
–Popular and cheap
• Diffuse-reflective
–Range 12-300mm
–Cheap and easy to use www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Photoelectric Sensors
• Pros
–Non-contact, no moving parts, small.
–Fast switching, no switch bounce.
–Insensitive to vibration and shock
–Many configurations available
• Cons
–Alignment always required
–Can be blinded by ambient light
conditions (welding for example)
–Requires clean, dust and water
free, environment
www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Proximity Sensors
Two types:
 Inductive Proximity Sensor:
• They use magnetic field to sense only metal objects
 Capacitive Proximity Sensor:
• They use electric field to sense metal or non-metal objects
 No physical contact required
 Sensing distance: < 20mm
 NPN or PNP output

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Proximity Sensors

Capacitance increases as metal or non-

Coil inductance increases
as metal object gets closer
metal object gets closer
Because capacitance path C2 and C3
added. C1 is always present
www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
Proximity Sensors
Examples

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Sourcing and Sinking
Remind
Wiring a sensor with PNP digital output to Sinking input digital module

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn
 Sourcing and Sinking
Remind
Wiring a sensor with NPN digital output to Sourcing input digital module

www.hcmute.edu.vn
www.hcmute.edu.vn