by What Does the Term Transducer Mean?
A transducer is an electrical gadget or device. It has the ability and capability to transform and alter one form of energy into another. In general and in most cases, the appliance converts a single state or version of a signal into another. The process or method by which a transducer performs its functions and actions goes by the name of transduction.
A transducer finds application at the edges and boundaries associated with automation, measurements, and control system. The electrical appliance operates like so for a few specific circumstances and cases. Such instances arise when a particular electrical signal experiences conversion and alteration between any two forms of a physical quantity. These can include energy, light, position, force, motion, torque, etc.
What are the Various Types and Kinds of a Transducer?
It is possible to categorize a transducer into different and distinct types and kinds. It can get done based on some factors. For example, the first parameter can be how the transducer functions and operates. If that is the basis of classification, then the electrical gadget can come in two forms that entail the following:
- Mechanical Transducer
A mechanical transducer works to transform and change distinct physical values and quantities. It converts them into mechanical ones.
A ring balance manometer, membrane, metallic diaphragm, and capsules and bellows fall under this category. These types of mechanical transducers each have a particular value they convert. The metallic diaphragm transforms displacement and strain. On the other hand, the other three examples can work solely on the first parameter.
- Electrical Transducer
An electrical transducer works to transform and change distinct physical values and quantities. It converts them into electrical ones.
A microphone and a loudspeaker fall under this category. Furthermore, a thermocouple is another example of an electrical transducer. It converts and changes the temperature difference into a particular and small amount or quantity of voltage.On top of that, a transducer can be of another two types or categories. They can get sorted into the following:
- Input Transducer
Also known as a sensor, an input transducer takes and utilizes a form or version of physical energy. It then converts and changes it into a readable signal.
A microphone is an example that falls under this category. It receives the generated sound waves and transforms them into an electrical signal. After that, they can get passed on to an amplifier. It is possible with the help of a connection or network of wires.
A pressure transducer is another exemplar of an input transducer. It changes and alters some form of physical forces such as push and pull. It can transform them into a number or a particular value that can get comprehended, assessed, and measured.
- Output Transducer
Also known as an actuator, an output transducer operates and functions in a unique way or manner. It is the complete opposite of the actions performed by an input transducer. To begin with, it takes and utilizes electrical signals. It transforms and converts them into another type or form of energy.
A lamp is an example that falls under this category. It receives electrical energy and turns it into light energy. A motor transducer is another exemplar of an output transducer. It receives electrical energy and converts it into mechanical energy or motion. These electrical devices work for mobility vessels and vehicles, blades, wheels, and other objects that require a trace of movement to function and operate.
What Do We Understand by the Term Calibration?
Calibration comes up in and for almost all technological devices associated with measurement. It is the comparison of the computed and assessed values that any device under check or test delivers. The other parameter of the contrast is a standard whose accuracy remains known.
The comparison standard can be the value calculated by another measurement gadget or appliance. However, it must have its accuracy known beforehand. The process of calibration must get done before using the device for any experiment. The outcome and result of the comparison can lead to one of the following:
- No considerable or significant error pops up or gets noted.
- A substantial error pops up and gets recorded. However, no adjustment gets made to it.
- The noted error gets subjected to adjustment. It is to bring its value down to an acceptable and useable level.
Calibration is an essential part of an experiment that uses a device that measures some value. It is because it dictates and determines the quality of the measurements and their accuracy. It controls the presence and existence of uncertainties and errors that can arise during the quantification process.
What are the Steps Required to Calibrate a Transducer?
As already discussed, a transducer can be of different types and kinds. Nevertheless, the process and steps needed to calibrate the electrical gadget are more or less the same for all of them. The methods used for a pressure transducer consist of the following:
- Firstly, the users need to use a manometer. They have to record and note the two levels of mercury on their two curved ends to get the pressure value. Let us take an example. Suppose the nominal pressure required stands at 120 mm of mercury. In that case, the users can record one value at 150 mm and the other at 90 mm of the liquid metal.
- Suppose the measurement needs to get done for a transducer that comes fluid-filled. In that case, the pressure of the manometer needs to get increased.
- Then, the control signal needs to get read and noted using a meter. Here, no digital displays should come into play.
- Next, the device to which the transducer remains connected has to get powered and set to a required voltage value. Then, the gadget’s readings have to get taken one more time.
- Lastly, the two readings need to get compared. The values can get changed several times and contrasted more than once. It helps acquire a precise idea of the error that exists.
