Industrial Sensors

More Information about Industrial Sensors

The crucial part that industrial automation sensors play in predictive maintenance cannot be overemphasized. They are the eyes and ears of the automation world, alerting humans and machines to potential problems before they can cause any real disruption. This is especially true for using vibration sensors and motion sensors for monitoring machinery in the industrial automation context. When we look at the broader picture, we can see that integrating sensors into our industrial automation systems is really what has made the "working smarter" part of Industry 4.0 possible. Using them even in the most mundane industrial settings is what has ushered in an era of real-time monitoring.

FAQS

Can rotating torque sensors, MEMS sensors, and humidity sensors be found in complex industrial applications like hydraulic systems?

Yes, rotating torque sensors, MEMS sensors, and humidity sensors are commonly found in complex industrial applications like hydraulic systems, where they provide precise measurements and enhance system performance and reliability.

Analog and Digital Control Signals: The Basics

Digital Signals

Digital signals are represented in either a true or false. There is no gray area with digital signals. An example of this might be a light switch. A light switch is either on or off. Another example of this might be a motor that is running or not running. Digital signals can be generated with both AC and DC circuits with varying voltages, currents and resistance. Some practical examples of using digital signals in an industrial environment might be if a pump is running or not running or a whether a valve is open or closed.

Analog Signals

Analog signals convey information in the form of a range. A light switch might be on or off as a digital signal, but a dimmer switch would be an analog signal. It can be on or off, but it can also be somewhere in between. A practical example of using analog signals in an industrial environment would be if there is a need to measure the level of a tank; whether it's full, empty or somewhere in between. Analog signals can take many different forms with some of the more common being a 4 to 20 milliamp signal or a 0 to 5 or 0 to 10 volt signal. 

Communication

Communication in a device can either be sent or received. Whether that data is sent or received depends on the type of information. Is there a need to monitor the status of something? If so, an input needs to be received about that information. Is there a need to control something? If so, an output needs to be sent about what needs to occur. Receiving inputs and setting outputs are both things that can be accomplished by using both digital and analog signal types. Therefore, the signals are referred to as analog outputs (AO), analog inputs (AI), digital inputs (DI) or digital outputs (DO).