All Industrial Sensors
Industrial sensors refer to the category of electrical components and instruments designed for detecting, measuring and regulating physical states within automated and manufacturing systems. Combining advanced sensing technology with rugged, reliable construction, industrial sensors play a key role in achieving precision, uptime and productivity in any industry driven by consistent processes. From temperature and flow to position and vibration, these measurement devices provide the accurate, repeatable and fast data feedback that PLCs, control systems and machines need to ensure proper operation, safety and quality.
Industrial sensors bring the otherwise analog world of pressure, position and speed into the digital domain through outputs that translate real-time conditions into measurable electrical signals. Reliability is intrinsic; to survive the vibration, dust, moisture, chemicals and wide temperature extremes of service, industrial sensors employ miniature housings, reinforced enclosures, advanced sealing, corrosion resistance and environmental protection. Common types include pressure and temperature sensors, motion and position sensors, speed and proximity sensors, vision cameras, and flow meters - each specialized through inductive, capacitive, optical, ultrasonic, thermal, strain gauge and other sensing phenomena.
ABB Industrial Sensors
ACI Industrial Sensors
Dwyer Industrial Sensors
Eaton Industrial Sensors
Ericson Industrial Sensors
IDEC Industrial Sensors
Omega Industrial Sensors
Panduit Industrial Sensors
Telemecanique Industrial Sensors
FAQs
What are industrial sensors used for?
Industrial sensors measure physical conditions like pressure, temperature, flow, and position to support automation, safety, and process reliability.
What types of industrial sensors are most common?
Common sensor types include inductive, capacitive, photoelectric, ultrasonic, pressure, temperature, and flow sensors.
Are industrial sensors built for harsh environments?
Yes, most industrial sensors are designed with rugged housings, sealed electronics, and high environmental ratings to withstand extreme conditions.
Do industrial sensors work with PLC automation systems?
Almost all industrial sensors are designed to integrate directly with PLCs, control systems, and industrial networks using standard signal outputs.
Which industries rely the most on industrial sensors?
Industries such as manufacturing, water and wastewater, food processing, power generation, mining, and logistics depend heavily on industrial sensors.
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).