Table 3.
7 shows a number of common sensors and examples of their
3
applications.
Sensor Example applications
temperature n control a central heating system
n control/monitor a chemical process
n control/monitor temperature in a greenhouse
moisture/humidity n control/monitor moisture/humidity levels in soil/air in a
greenhouse
3.1
n monitor dampness levels in an industrial application (for
example, monitor moisture in a paint spray booth in a car
Computers and their components
factory)
light n switch street lighting on at night and off during the day
n monitor/control light levels in a greenhouse
n switch on car headlights when it gets dark
infrared/motion n turn on windscreen wipers on a car when it rains
n detect an intruder in a burglar alarm system
n count people entering or leaving a building
pressure n detect intruders in a burglar alarm system
n check weight (such as the weight of a vehicle)
n monitor/control a process where gas pressure is important
acoustic/sound n pick up noise levels (such as footsteps or breaking glass) in a
burglar alarm system
n detect noise of liquids dripping from a pipe
gas (such as O2 n monitor pollution levels in a river or air
or CO2) n measure O2 and CO2 levels in a greenhouse
n check for CO2 or NO2 leaks in a power station
pH n monitor/control acidity/alkalinity levels in soil
n monitor pollution in rivers
magnetic field n detect changes in in cell phones, CD players, and so on
n used in anti-lock braking systems in motor vehicles
▲ Table 3.7 Common sensors and examples of applications
Sensors are used in both monitoring and control applications. There is a subtle
difference between how these two methods work. The flowchart (Figure 3.21
overleaf) shows a simplification of the process.
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sensors send signals to the
3
microprocessor or computer
the signals are converted to
digital (if necessary) using an
analogue to digital converter
(ADC)
the microprocessor or computer
3 Hardware
analyses the data received
by checking it against stored
values
if new data is outside the if the new data is outside the
acceptable range, a warning acceptable range, the
message is sent to a screen microprocessor or computer
or an alarm is activated sends signals to control valves,
motors, and so on
the microprocessor or computer the output from the system
has no effect on what is affects the next set of inputs
being monitored – it is simply from the sensors
‘watching’ the process
feedback loop
monitoring system control system
▲ Figure 3.20 Sensors for monitoring and controlling systems
Table 3.8 shows some examples of monitoring and control applications of
sensors.
Examples of monitoring Examples of control
n monitoring a patient in a hospital n turning street lights on at night and
for vital signs such as heart rate, turning them off again during daylight
temperature, and so on n controlling the temperature in a central
n checking for intruders in a burglar alarm heating/air conditioning system
system n controlling the traffic lights at a road
n checking the temperature levels in a car junction
engine n operating anti-lock brakes on a car
n monitoring pollution levels in a river when necessary
n controlling the environment in a
greenhouse
▲ Table 3.8 Examples of monitoring and control applications of sensors
One of the most common uses of sensors in modern times is in the monitoring
and control of a number of functions in motor vehicles and aeroplanes. Look at
Figure 3.21 showing a typical modern car and its many sensors used to control
or monitor several functions.
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