As the name suggests these sensors employs fiber optics technology to function. A fiber optic sensor generally guides light to and from a measurement zone where the light is modulated by the measurand of interest and returned along the same … Read more
Category: Mechatronics, Industrial Control & Instrumentation
We cover: Mechatronics systems, Embedded systems, Process measurement systems, Industrial Control, Industrial Communication networks, Industrial Instrumentation, Industrial networking, Microcontroller systems, Sensors and data acquisition systems, Industrial Automation, Process control, Distributed Control Systems, Smart Instrumentation systems, etc.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Instrumentation
The increasing requirement to demonstrate the integrity and reliability of engineering materials, products and plant has contributed immensely to the development of non-destructive testing instrumentation. Efficient materials manufacture, the assurance of product quality and re-assurance of plant at regular intervals … Read more
How Interferometers are used as Position Sensors
Interferometer sensors employ energy in the form of light or sound to make precise position/location measurements. There are a number of applications where accurate measurement of very small linear mechanical displacements and distances between objects in the order of nanometers … Read more
Principle of Operation of Magnetostrictive Position Sensors
Magnetostrictive sensors detect the location of a magnetic ring that slides along a conductive metal tube; in other words this sensor operation utilizes the effect of a magnetic field on magnetostrictive wire to function. The figure below illustrates a Magnetostrictive … Read more
How to Connect Discrete Sensors to PLC Inputs
Discrete Sensor Outputs
Basically sensor outputs can be categorized into two types: discrete also referred to discrete or logic and proportional also called analog. Discrete sensors supply a single logical output (1 or 0) e.g. a flow switch used … Read more
Photoelectric Pressure Transducer Operation
The photoelectric pressure transducer uses a phototube and a light source (either a stable source of light or ac modulated light) separated by a window, whose aperture is controlled by the force summing device of the pressure transducer as illustrated … Read more
Electronic IC Temperature Sensors
Electronic IC temperature sensors are specialized integrated circuits that are used for sensing temperatures in the -55° C to +150°C range.
Basic Principle of IC Temperature Sensors
The working principle of IC temperature sensors is based on semiconductor physics. When … Read more
CAMAC (IEEE-583) Modular Instrumentation Standard
The IEEE-583, IEEE-595, and IEEE 596 CAMAC (Computer Aided Measurement and Control) standards define a hardware and data transmission system which is used to house, support and communicate with various compatible instrumentation modules.
A typical CAMAC crate shown in Figure … Read more
PLC Instruction Set
An Overview of PLC Instructions Types
There are various types of instructions that are available in a PLC. The instruction set will vary depending on the brand and type of processor you are working with. For example, the classic Allen-Bradley … Read more
Input & Output Modules of a PLC – Types & Applications
The input/output modules act as the signal interface between the monitoring sensors and actuators, and the controller. Additional they provide electrical isolation, if needed, to convert the input signals into an electronic format appropriate for evaluation by the … Read more