Classification of

Transducers
MANASY JAYASURYA
Asst. Professor
Dept. of Computer Science & Applications
St.Mary’s College
Thrissur
Introduction
•There are several ways in which you can classify transducers.
•Itis easy to classify transducers as Input Transducers or Output Transducers, if the
y are treated as simple signal converters.
•Input Transducers measure non-electrical quantities and convert them into electric
al quantities.
•Output Transducers on the other hand, work in the opposite way i.e. their input sig
nals are electrical and their output signals are non-electrical or physical like force,
displacement, torque, pressure etc.
•Depending on the principle of operation, transducers can also be classified into m
echanical, thermal, electrical, etc.
Let us see the classification of transducers based on the following three ways:
◦ Physical Effect
◦ Physical Quantity
◦ Source of Energy
Classification based on Physical Effect
Physical effect means convert the physical quantity to electrical quantity.
An example, is the change in resistance (physical quantity) of a copper elem
ent in proportion to the change in temperature.
The following physical effects are generally used:
◦ Variation in Resistance
◦ Variation in Inductance
◦ Variation in Capacitance
◦ Hall Effect
◦ Piezoelectric Effect
Note : Hall Effect : the production of a potential difference across an electrical conductor when a m
agnetic field is applied in a direction perpendicular to that of the flow of current.
Piezoelectric Effect : It is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response t
o applied mechanical stress.
Classification based on Physical Quantity

The second classification of Transducers is based on the physical quantity convert

ed i.e. the end use of the transducer after the conversion.
For example, a Pressure Transducer is a transducer that converts pressure into ele
ctrical signal.
Following is small list of transducers classified based on the physical quantity and
corresponding examples
◦ Temperature Transducer – Thermocouple
◦ Pressure Transducer – Bourdon Gauge
◦ Displacement Transducer – LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer)
◦ Level Transducer – Torque Tube
◦ Flow Transducer – Flow Meter
◦ Force Transducer – Dynamometer
◦ Acceleration Transducer – accelerometer
Classification based on Source of Energy

Transducers are also classified based on the source of energy. Under this c
ategory, there usually two types of transducers:
◦ Active Transducers
◦ Passive Transducers
 Active Transducer

In Active Transducers, the energy from the input is used as a control signal in the pr
ocess of transferring energy from power supply to proportional output.

For example, a Strain Gauge is an Active Transducer, in which the strain is

converted into resistance. But since the energy from the strained element is very
small, the energy for the output is provided by an external power supply.
Passive Transducer

In Passive Transducers, the energy from the input is directly converte

d into the output.
For example, a Thermocouple is a passive transducer, where the heat
energy, which is absorbed from input, is converted into electrical sign
als (voltage).
Reference

https://www.slideshare.net/manash234/classification-of-transducers

https://www.electronicshub.org/types-of-transducers/#:~:text=Classification
%20of%20Transducers,-There%20are%20several&text=It%20is%20easy
%20to%20classify,convert%20them%20into%20electrical%20quantities
.
https://circuitglobe.com/types-of-transducer.html
THANK YOU