Active Transducer Examples, Applications, Diagram

A transducer is an electronic device that can convert the energy from one form to another form.

There are mainly two types of Transducer according to the requirement of the power source.

The transducer which does not require any external power source for its operation is called Active Transducer.

Active transducer work on the principle of energy conversion that means it just convert the input signal(any physical quantity) into the electrical signal.

In this article, you will find the example of Active Transducer and applications of active transducer.

Active Transducer Example

Some common examples of active transducer are thermocouple, photovoltaic cell, piezoelectric crystal.

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Thermocouple

A thermocouple is an active transducer having many useful applications. The thermocouple is a temperature detection transducer that works on the principle of two dissimilar electrical conductors forming an electrical junction.

Thermocouple not only used as a transducer, in fact, but it is also used as a temperature sensor. It is called as an Active Transducer because it does not need any external power supply for its operation. Even it can generate a very small electric current. And by measuring this electric current we can ensure about the output of the Thermocouple.

Thermocouple Applications

1. Thermocouples are used in heavy metal processing industries, during the making of steel, iron to monitor their temperature.

2. Thermocouples are used as temperature sensors in the HVAC system to control temperature, humidity automatically. Basically, they are connected with automation controlling system and the processor of that control system takes input and generate output.

3. Thermocouples are used as temperature sensors with large motors, heaters, burners to measure temperature. When the temperature is out of control the motor will tripped automatically.

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Photovoltaic Cell

The photovoltaic cell also known as Solar cell is a device that can convert optical or light energy into electrical energy. Photovoltaic means 'Voltage from Light'. A solar cell or photovoltaic cell works on the principle of the PV effect. As it does not require any primary external power supply that's why it is called active Transducer. It also generate an electric current when light falls upon it. Although the photovoltaic cell not only used as a transducer, it is also used for electrical power generation also.

Photovoltaic Cell Applications

1. Photovoltaic or Solar cells mostly used as a power source than as transducer. Photovoltaic Cells are used in Lux meter as a transducer which helps to measure intensity of light.

2. Photovoltaic cells are used in Space Satellites to provide the electrical power supply. Here, photovoltaic cells are installed in the frame of panels named as solar panel.

3. Photovoltaic cells or solar cells are used in small gadgets and accessories such as calculators, watches, etc.

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Piezoelectric Crystal

Piezoelectric crystals are those materials that can create electric potential when they are subjected to some mechanical stress or pressure like deformations, vibrations, weight, etc. Piezoelectric crystal can produce electrical potential itself it does not require any external power supply that's why it comes under Active Transducer. As the output of Piezoelectric crystal is very low, so we cannot use its output directly. First of all, its output is amplified using an amplifier circuit and then the amplified signal is used.

Piezoelectric Transducer Applications

1. Piezoelectric Crystals are used in modern digital weight machines as pressure detection transducers.

2. Piezoelectric Crystals are also used in microphones to convert sound into electrical energy. When sound is applied to it, it experience a mechanical pressure and according to the sound wave it generate electrical signal.

3. Piezoelectric Transducers are used digitally controlled cranes, elevators, etc to detect and measure pressure, weight, etc.

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