How sensors work

Being human, we have several senses that work time to time reacting to different situations. For example, we can smell fire and we can follow and reach the place from where it is originating. Just imagine the kind of senses we have in our body.

Similarly, as humans we use a lot of products like cars, mobile phones, cameras, computers, etc, these products have sensors too. Sensors like temperature sensors in an air conditioner which can adjust according to the room availability and number of people sitting in a room.

Another perfect example of these sensors is an automatic door. They have sensors installed in them to sense you coming and giving way to you when you are just a few steps away. We all use these products in our day to day life and wouldn’t it be great if these products automatically know what we expect from them and want them to do.

Sensors are devices that are made up of wires and other raw electronic devices. They are designed to work automatically according to the instructions stored in them. A circuit it designed with instructions stored in it and when it senses something, it will work as instructed.

There are four types of sensors which are as follows:

? PIR Sensors: Passive Infra-Red sensors sense the presence of a human or animal body through the energy the body generates. The energy then acts as infrared rays for the sensors and they act accordingly.

? Liquid Level Sensors: It detects the water level present around it and disconnects the power automatically. For example, a water motor which should turn off automatically once the tank is full.

? Proximity Sensor: Proximity sensors are used to detect metals, magnets, and other such objects and do the needful task as instructed.

? Flow Sensors: These sensors when combined with electronics are ideal for smart metering applications for water, gas and thermal energy measurements.

Sensors are the first and foremost part required for any automation system. No automation can be completed without sensors. Some other sensors like pressure sensor, temperature sensor, vibration sensor, air quality sensor are also an important part of the automation process.