What is Voltage sensor?
Voltage sensors are also called voltage detectors or voltmeters. They are primarily used to measure and monitor the potential difference a.k.a voltage between two points in an electric circuit. They are used in many industrial, commercial and household applications. There are various types of voltage sensors, the most common ones are listed below:
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Voltage sensor types
Resistive Voltage Divider:
A resistive network is used to divide the input voltage and an output voltage is provided proportional to the input.
Capacitive Voltage Divider:
They are very similar to resistive voltage dividers; the only difference is the usage of capacitors in place of resistors to divide the input voltage.
Hall Effect Sensor:
The fundamental principle of Hall effect is used to measure the voltage by these sensors as indicated by their name. The changes in magnetic field are detected by the sensor caused by the voltage and are converted into a proportional electrical signal.
Electrostatic Voltage Sensor:
The voltage is measured based on the principle of electrostatic induction. The electric field generated by the voltage is detected by the sensor and they convert it into an electrical signal.
Piezoelectric Voltage Sensor:
As the name clearly shows that these sensors use piezoelectric effect to measure voltage. The mechanical stress caused by the voltage is converted into an electrical signal by this sensor.
Optical Voltage Sensor:
Optical voltage sensors use optical methods to measure the voltage. The changes in voltage are converted to optical signals by these sensors.
Inductive Voltage Sensor:
They use the principle of electromagnetic induction to measure voltage. Changes in magnetic field caused by the voltage are first detected and then converted into electrical signals.
Fiber Optic Voltage Sensor:
Fiber optic cables are used to measure voltage. Fiber optic phenomena like Faraday effect are used to convert the voltage into optical signals which are the detected and measured as per the needs.
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Voltage sensors Comparison Table:Β
Voltage SensorΒ |
Measurement RangeΒ |
AccuracyΒ |
Output TypeΒ |
InterfaceΒ |
Power SupplyΒ |
FeaturesΒ |
Resistive DividerΒ |
0-10V, 0-20V, 0-50V, etc.Β |
Β±1% to Β±5%Β |
AnalogΒ |
NoneΒ |
External Power SupplyΒ |
Simple and low-costΒ |
Capacitive DividerΒ |
0-10V, 0-20V, 0-50V, etc.Β |
Β±1% to Β±5%Β |
AnalogΒ |
NoneΒ |
External Power SupplyΒ |
High input impedanceΒ |
Hall Effect SensorΒ |
0-50V, 0-100V, 0-500V, etc.Β |
Β±0.5% to Β±2%Β |
Analog or DigitalΒ |
None or PWM, I2C, SPIΒ |
5V DC or 12-24V DCΒ |
Contactless sensingΒ |
Electrostatic SensorΒ |
0-100V, 0-200V, 0-1000VΒ |
Β±1% to Β±5%Β |
AnalogΒ |
NoneΒ |
External Power SupplyΒ |
Non-contact measurementΒ |
Piezoelectric SensorΒ |
0-10V, 0-20V, 0-50V, etc.Β |
Β±0.5% to Β±2%Β |
AnalogΒ |
NoneΒ |
External Power SupplyΒ |
High sensitivityΒ |
Optical SensorΒ |
0-100V, 0-200V, 0-1000VΒ |
Β±0.2% to Β±1%Β |
Analog or DigitalΒ |
None or Modbus RTUΒ |
24V DC or 110-220V ACΒ |
Immune to electromagnetic interferenceΒ |
Inductive SensorΒ |
0-50V, 0-100V, 0-500V, etc.Β |
Β±1% to Β±5%Β |
Analog or DigitalΒ |
None or 4-20mA, ModbusΒ |
12-24V DC or 110-220V ACΒ |
Suitable for harsh environmentsΒ |
Fiber Optic SensorΒ |
0-100V, 0-200V, 0-1000VΒ |
Β±0.2% to Β±1%Β |
Analog or DigitalΒ |
None or Modbus RTUΒ |
24V DC or 110-220V ACΒ |
High isolation and immunityΒ |
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Pros and Cons of each sensorΒ Β
Voltage SensorΒ |
ProsΒ |
ConsΒ |
Resistive Voltage SensorΒ |
1. SimplicityΒ |
1. Loading effect on the measured circuitΒ |
β―Β |
2. Wide range of applicationsΒ |
2. Limited accuracyΒ |
Capacitive Voltage SensorΒ |
1. High input impedanceΒ |
1. Sensitivity to stray capacitanceΒ |
β―Β |
2. Minimal loading effectΒ |
2. Limited accuracy at low voltage levelsΒ |
Hall Effect Voltage SensorΒ |
1. Non-contact measurementΒ |
1. Affected by magnetic field disturbancesΒ |
β―Β |
2. Wide dynamic rangeΒ |
2. Limited accuracy and linearityΒ |
Electrostatic Voltage SensorΒ |
1. Non-contact measurementΒ |
1. Sensitive to environmental conditionsΒ |
β―Β |
2. Wide frequency responseΒ |
2. Limited accuracy and linearityΒ |
Piezoelectric Voltage SensorΒ |
1. High sensitivityΒ |
1. Limited dynamic rangeΒ |
β―Β |
2. Fast response timeΒ |
2. Sensitivity to temperature changesΒ |
Optical Voltage SensorΒ |
1. Non-contact measurementΒ |
1. Sensitive to ambient light conditionsΒ |
β―Β |
2. High immunity to electromagnetic interferenceΒ |
2. Limited accuracy and linearityΒ |
Inductive Voltage SensorΒ |
1. Non-contact measurementΒ |
1. Affected by magnetic field disturbancesΒ |
β―Β |
2. High immunity to electromagnetic interferenceΒ |
2. Limited accuracy and linearityΒ |
Fiber Optic Voltage SensorΒ |
1. Non-contact measurementΒ |
1. Limited availability and higher costΒ |
β―Β |
2. Immune to electromagnetic interferenceΒ |
2. Limited accuracy and linearityΒ |
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Conclusion
Voltage sensors are indispensable components in the realm of electrical engineering. They allow us to measure voltage levels accurately and safely, facilitating efficient control and monitoring of electrical systems. By understanding the various types of voltage sensors and weighing their pros and cons, you can select the most suitable sensor for your specific needs, ensuring optimal performance and safety in your electrical applications.
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