Sensor Cables & Connectors

More Information about Sensor Cables

Customers should look for cables designed for their specific sensor type, whether it's for measuring speed, temperature, or pressure. Compatibility is key, as the wrong type of cable can result in poor performance or even damage to the sensors or the devices they are connected to. Many manufacturers offer sensor cables tailored to work with their sensor products to ensure easy setup and optimum performance.

So, whether you're in need of a simple, ready-to-use cable or a highly specialized one, the world of sensor cables offers a wide array of products to choose from. When in doubt, it's always a good idea to consult with experts in the field to learn what type of cable will best meet your needs.

Analog vs 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).