sensor A device for monitoring or measuring a given physical parameter (such as temperature, distance, speed, weight) and reporting its measurements in a suitable form (such as an electric current, or a reflective color) |
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proximity sensor A sensor for monitoring the (small) distance to a given object |
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gas detector A sensor that gives a signal when it detects that the proportion of certain gas (or class of gases) in a sample (such as air) is above some (small) threshold value |
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temperature sensor A sensor for monitoring the temperature (of an object or environment) |
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level sensor A sensor for monitoring the proportion of substance in a container out of the total volume available |
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pressure sensor A sensor for monitoring the pressure (usually of a gas in a pipe or container) |
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displacement sensor A sensor for monitoring the angular displacement from the initial or reference position |
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leak detector A sensor that gives a signal when it detects that the proportion of fluid being lost on one side of a barrier, or gained on the other, is above some (small) threshold value |
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position sensor A sensor for monitoring the linear or angular displacement from the initial or reference position |
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pH meter Apparatus for measuring the pH of the chemical into which the instrument's probes are placed |
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capacitive sensor A sensor that measures the strength of an electrostatic field between a electrical plate and the surface whose height is being measured, in order to calculate distance between them |
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force sensor A sensor for monitoring the amount of force being applied to the given object |
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linear sensor A device for monitoring or measuring a given physical parameter that gives an output that is proportional to the measured value |
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ultrasonic sensor A device that converts an ultrasonic acoustic signal into an electrical one |
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infrared detector A sensor that gives a signal when it detects that the amount of infrared radiation falling on it is above some (small) threshold value |
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photoelectric sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of light falling on it. Used as a light sensor, or as a converter for fiber optic to electrical signals |
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laser sensor A sensor that gives an electrical output corresponding to optical input from a laser source |
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torque sensor A sensor for monitoring the amount of mechanical twisting force being applied |
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power meter Apparatus for measuring the amount of electrical power being consumed |
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conductivity meter Apparatus for measuring the electrical conductivity (the reciprocal of resistance) in the insulator between the two test probes |
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inductive sensor A sensor that gives a signal that is proportional to its inductance (and hence an indication of the proximity of any electrically conductive objects) |
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portable gas detector A sensor that gives a signal when it detects that the proportion of certain gas (or class of gases) in a sample (such as air) is above some (small) threshold value, and that is portable enough to be carried from place to place in the field |
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electrochemical sensor
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infrared sensor A sensor that gives an electric output corresponding to the amount of heat radiation falling on it |
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humidity sensor A sensor for monitoring the amount of water (humidity) dissolved in a gas (often air) |
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multi-gas detector
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moisture meter Apparatus for displaying measurements from a moisture sensor, thereby indicating the amount of moisture present (in an absorbent solid) |
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sound level meter Apparatus for measuring the amount of sound energy being picked up by an acoustic sensor, or being given out by an acoustic transducer |
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distance sensor A sensor for monitoring the distance to a given object |
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flame detector A sensor that gives a signal when it detects the presence of a flame |
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flow sensor A sensor that measures the rate of flow of a fluid (for example by taking the square-root of the pressure differential) |
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magnetic sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of a magnetic field |
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ammeter clamp
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gas sensor A sensor for monitoring the proportion of certain gas (or class of gases) in a sample (such as air) |
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motion detector An image sensor that is able to highlight parts of the image that have changed due to motion of an object |
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speed sensor A sensor for measuring or monitoring the speed with respect to the environment |
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weight sensor
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torque meter Apparatus for measuring the amount of mechanical twisting force being applied |
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color sensor A sensor that gives a signal when light of a particular wavelength is impinging on it. Generally used in combination with other color sensors that react to other wavelengths of light |
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rotary sensor
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density meter Apparatus for measuring density or specific gravity. The frequency of vibration of a hollow glass tube, of a fixed volume, depends on the mass of the sample |
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magnetostrictive sensor
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energy meter Apparatus for measuring electrical energy consumption that works by integrating power over time using a counter |
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intruder detector
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oxygen sensor A sensor for monitoring or measuring the proportion of oxygen present in a sample of gas |
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ultrasonic detector A sensor that gives a signal in response to the level of ultrasonic sound energy impinging upon it (not so much to detect the ultrasound itself, but as a means of detecting some physical property that is causing the ultrasound to be diverted) |
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current sensor A device for monitoring or measuring the presence of an electric current flowing in a cable |
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image sensor An array of photoelectric sensors that acts as the retina for a digital electronic camera, turning the impinging image into a corresponding sequence of electrical pixel levels |
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optical sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of light falling on it |
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turbidity meter Apparatus for displaying measurements from a turbidity sensor, for environmental or process monitoring. Used for water quality testing and management (such as for industrial process or effluent control) |
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vibration meter
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vibration sensor A sensor for monitoring the amount of mechanical or acoustic vibration |
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draw wire sensor
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semiconductor sensor
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fiber optic sensor A sensor that gives an electric output in the presence of light in a fiber optic cable, and therefore used as a converter for fiber optic to electrical signals |
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flaw detector A sensor whose signal changes depending on whether the material that it is attached to is homogeneous, or has dislocations and other flaws that can reflect or otherwise disrupt the passage of the signal |
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voltage detector A device that gives a signal at its output if the analog voltage at its input exceeds the threshold (usually very small) voltage |
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Hall effect sensor A device for monitoring or measuring the strength of a magnetic field, using the Hall effect |
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angular position sensor
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carbon dioxide detector
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