Proximity Sensor

About Proximity Sensor
The proximity sensor refers to a type of contactless sensor that emits a field of energy to detect
the presence—or absence—of object. This can be a proximity sensor for mobile, proximity
sensor for security systems, or the different types of proximity sensors used in industrial
automation.
Because of their non-contact nature, proximity sensors have many advantages over contact
sensors. They are reliable, durable and require low maintenance. They also do not produce any
physical movement or heat transfer to the target object, and can be used in harsh environments.
A proximity sensor may use electromagnetic waves, light, or ultrasound to detect object. Some
only detect metals, while others can pick both metal and non-metal targets.
Still, some types of proximity sensors offer longer detection ranges than others, and so on. The
proximity sensor and its types in today’s world are discussed in the next section.
Types of Proximity Sensors
Based on the different forms of detection technologies, proximity sensors are classified into five
categories: Inductive Proximity Sensor; Capacitive Proximity Sensor; Ultrasonic Proximity
Sensor; Magnetic Proximity Sensor; and Optical Proximity Sensor. Learn about these types of
proximity sensors, including their different uses, below.
1. Inductive Proximity Sensor
The inductive proximity sensor is called so for using inductance principles to detect the presence
of a metal target, without making any physical contact. One of the most common types of this
sensor is the eddy current proximity sensor.
These sensors primarily consist of an oscillator, a coil around a ferrite core, and a Schmitt
trigger. Here’s now see how an inductive proximity sensor works:
 During operation, the oscillator generates an alternating current that produces an

alternating electromagnetic field around the coil.
 This field radiates from the coil to form the detection zone.
 If a metallic object enters this detection zone, the oscillating magnetic field induces
electric currents in its body. These are called eddy currents.
 The eddy currents then start producing an alternating magnetic field, interfering with the
original oscillating field from the sensor and changing its properties.
 This change activates the Schmitt trigger and the sensor is able to detect.
 Note that these types of proximity sensors cannot detect non-metallic objects as such
materials will not produce Eddy currents.
Application: One of the benefits of inductive sensors is their ability to operate in contaminated
environments: they’re resistant to the presence of oil, dirt, and even moisture. Inductive
proximity sensors are, therefore, widely used in industrial, automotive, and machine tool
applications.
2. Capacitive Proximity Sensor
The capacitive proximity sensor uses an electric field to detect the presence of a target object.
It’s basically an open capacitor whose other plate is replaced by the target, while the air between
the sensor plate and target forms the dielectric. Here is how a capacitive proximity sensor works:
 When the target enters the sensor’s range, it forms a capacitance with its sensing plate,
which increases as the object draws nearer.
 This action changes the capacitance value of the circuit, which in turn produces an
electrical signal used to detect presence.
 The capacitive sensor can detect both metals and nonmetals. These can be powders,
granules and liquids or even solid objects.
 Because the working principle of capacitive proximity sensor is based on the gradual
increase of the capacitance, its sensing speed is generally lower than that of inductive
sensors.
Application: Capacitive proximity sensors are used in a wide range of applications, including
food and beverage production processes, level detection, material handling, automation control
systems and other industrial environments. In the world of electronics, this is the type of
proximity sensor for mobile phone or tablet sensing applications.
3. Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor
The ultrasonic sensor is somewhat different from inductive and capacitive sensors. These types
of proximity sensors work by emitting ultrasonic waves—or sound waves with a frequency
higher than the upper limit of human hearing, which is around 20 kHz. The working of ultrasonic
proximity sensor is described below:
 The ultrasonic sensor consists of these parts: transmitter, receiver, signal processor,
amplifier and power supply module, and works by sending out high-frequency sound
pulses.
 When the sound waves encounter an obstacle, they will bounce back to the receiver.
 The receiver then uses this information to determine the presence as well as distance
between the object and the sensor.
 Ultrasonic proximity sensors offer fast detection speed, even for small objects, and have a
wide sensing range. They can also detect both solid and liquid targets in their sensing
zone.

Proximity Sensor

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Proximity Sensor

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Proximity Sensor

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

About Proximity Sensor

Types of Proximity Sensors

 During operation, the oscillator generates an alternating current that produces an

You might also like