NewTek HAR Series of Hermetically-Sealed Linear Position Sensors provide critical position measurement in the monitoring and control of steam turbine valves in power plants. Ideal for power plant rehabilitation programs, these AC-operated LVDTs serve as OEM replacements for legacy applications, offering the same fit, function, and reliability as original units. Gas turbines use various valves […]
Sensor Tips
What is the difference between active and passive RFID?
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are used to track and identify personnel (including implanted RFID) and inventory/assets in warehouses, work-in-process (WIP) in manufacturing plants, animals in laboratories, on farms or in the wild and to provide access control and for automatic toll collection for vehicles in consumer as well as government applications. The RFID tag is […]
Vision Research launches Phantom TMX high-dpeed cameras
Vision Research, a manufacturer of digital high-speed imaging systems, introduces its Phantom TMX Series, featuring the first high-speed cameras with back side illumination (BSI) sensor technology. These sensors can achieve 75 Gpx/sec of data throughput, as well as improved light sensitivity for fast applications such as combustion, material analysis, crack propagation, spray analysis, ballistics and […]
8mm photoelectric, inductive proximity and capacitive proximity sensors
AutomationDirect has added several small sensors to the proximity sensor lineup. New rectangular 8mm x 16mm inductive proximity sensors are available in flush and non-flush mounting options, NO or NC outputs as well as NPN or PNP logic. The new 8mm round capacitive proximity sensors are able to detect materials other than metal, in a […]
ICs for interfacing inductive sensors, Part 2
Designers who use inductive proximity sensors have a choice of high-performance signal-conditioning interface ICs, each offering different sets of features, functions, and capabilities. The first part of this article discussed some of the sensing opportunities and looked at an IC from Texas Instruments. This part looks at ICs from Renesas and Microchip Technology. Renesas IPS2550 […]
4-in-1 MEMS sensor measures gases, humidity, temperature and barometric pressure
Whether at home, in the office, or outdoors, we need to be confident that the air around us is clean and safe to breathe – COVID-19 has clearly highlighted the importance of air quality. Due to the particulates, gases, and even airborne viruses ubiquitously present in our modern environment, poor air quality has an increasingly […]
ICs for interfacing inductive sensors, Part 1
Designers who use inductive proximity sensors have a choice of high-performance signal-conditioning interface ICs, each offering different sets of features, functions, and capabilities. In two predecessor features (see References), we looked at the inductive proximity sensor and its basic operation (see References) but did not look at the electronic interface circuit for this widely used […]
How can the new temperature-sensitive COVID-19 vaccines’ temperatures be ensured?
The newly developed COVID-19 vaccines require low temperature storage to ensure their efficacy. For the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) specifically states that it should be stored in an ultra-cold freezer, thermal shipping container or refrigerator. The ultra-cold freezer’s temperature should be maintained between -80°C and -60°C (-112°F and […]
Tactile switch boasts 5 million cycles with 2.8N and 4N actuation force
C&K has done it again – first introducing the revolutionary KSC Tireless Endurance (KSC TE) with 10 million cycles at 1.6N, the highest in the industry. Now C&K has launched a 5 million cycle version with higher actuation forces at 2.8N and 4N – again making these miniature tactile switches the highest lifecycle switches available […]
An overview of absolute encoder communication protocols
Depending on the application, a controller or variable-speed electric-motor drive may need to measure any combination of rotor speed, position, and direction. Absolute encoders are a popular motion control choice with their ability to determine rotor position immediately at power on, while also being able to keep track of position during sudden power losses. With […]