Sensor vs. Transducer

Main Difference

The main difference between Sensor and Transducer is that the Sensor detects the somatic changes that usually happen in the adjacent, whereas Transducer changes the nonelectrical or somatic quantity in another electrical signal.

Difference Between Sensor and Transducer

Comparison Chart

Sensor vs. Transducer

The sensor usually detects the changes and then converts them into readable quantity, while the transducer is used as a device which converts one form of energy into another form. The components of the sensor consist of a sensor itself, whereas the transducer consists of a sensor and signal conditioning as its components. Functions of the sensor include detecting the changes and prompts equivalent electrical signals; on the other hand, functions of transducers include the interconversion of one form of energy into another.

The sensor generally suggests the capability of a user to take information concerning its physical quantities which are not perceivable by detections of humans as these magnitudes are of extremely minute and of hidden nature; on the contrary, transducer usually suggests that type of quantities which are sent to input and output devices are not consider the same. Applications of the sensor are accelerometer sensors, proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, light sensors, etc.; conversely, applications of transducer include a thermocouple, thermistor, potentiometer, etc.

A sensor may not be considered as a transducer; on the flip side, a transducer usually always has a sensor. A sensor, in contrast to a transducer, is less complex in its presentation because the sensor usually directly converts a given physical quantity into another physical quantity such as capacitance, resistance, etc. On the other hand, transducer acts as a more complicated device as it is intended to convert physical quantity which is given to the input portion into another output signal (current, voltage, etc.) because a transducer rages the sensing elements and conditioning system to give output signals which are equal to input quantities.

A sensor only measures physical measure and cannot provide feedback to the wanted system on its own; on the contrary, a transducer has a capacity of changing between different systems of energy because it is generally used for giving feedback to a wanted system by the output device after reason processing occurs in the signal training unit. Examples of the sensor are magnetic sensors, proximity sensors, light sensors, accelerometer sensors, etc., whereas examples of the transducer are potentiometer, thermistor, thermocouple, etc.

What is Sensor?

The term sensor defines as a device that is used to proceed with the physical quantity (i.e., Heat, light, sound, etc.) into a certainly clear signal (voltage, current, etc.). The sensor usually gives precise readings after regulation. In sensor, the circuit elements are used to have the particular electrical output from the output of the transducer, which it measures.

For example, in thermometer, mercury is used to regulate the body temperature and transform into clearly measurable reading, which can be seen from the rectified glass tube of the mercury. This regulation is so because of the expansion and contraction of mercury that temperature changes. A sensor, in contrast to a transducer, is less complex in its presentation because the sensor usually directly converts a given physical quantity into another physical quantity such as capacitance, resistance, etc.

Applications of Sensor

• Various type of motion sensors is used in a security system of homes as well as in automatic door systems.
• Photosensor detects changes in ultraviolet/infrared light.
• Accelerometer sensors are used in the mobile for sense screen rotations.
• The main basic input unit to a sensor exists in the form of a transducer, but a sensor has a progressive electrical system for making it easy for users to the transaction with the interface connected to the end of the application.

Classifications of Sensor

• Acoustic: Spectrum, wave, and wave velocity
• Electric: Charge, potential, permittivity, current, and conductivity
• Magnetic: Magnetic flux, magnetic field, and permeability
• Thermal: Specific heat, temperature, and thermal conductivity
• Mechanical: Orientation, force, position, compliance, acceleration, stress, pressure, strain, density, mass, momentum, shape, torque, roughness, crystallinity stiffness, and structural
• Optical: Refractive index, wave velocity, reflectivity, wave, emissivity, and absorption

What is Transducer?

The term transducer defines as the device that alters the physical qualities of the non-electrical signal into an electrical signal, which is certainly measurable. The process of conversion of energy in the transducer is called transduction. The two steps are involved in the completion of the transducer. The first step involves the detecting of signals, and the second step involves further processing.

The transducer acts as a more complicated device as it is intended to convert physical quantity, which is given to the input portion into another output signal (current, voltage, etc.) because a transducer rages the sensing elements and conditioning system to give output signals which are equal to input quantities.

The transducer involves three major mechanisms: the first one is the input device, the second one is conditioning or processing device, and the last one is the output device. Examples of the transducer are the potentiometer, thermistor, thermocouple, etc.

Major Components of Transducer

• The measurable quantities are received by input devices and then transfer by equal analog signal to the processing device.
• The processing device is then modified, attenuates, and then filtered the coming signals.
• The signals are then readable by the output devices.

Conclusion

The above discussion concludes that the sensor detects the somatic changes that usually happen in the adjacent and then converts them into readable quantity, whereas transducer changes the non-electrical or somatic quantity in another electrical signal or just signals.