Why a Hall Sensor is Important?
Hall Effect is the most widely used method of measuring magnetic fields. Hall effect sensors are used to detect and measure distance, position, and speed by sensing magnetic fields. Hall Sensors have many different applications in the industrial, manufacturing and automotive sectors.
Hall sensors are able to provide the measurement of magnetic field variation over an interface and convert its findings into electronic data. Hall sensors operate by sensing a magnetic field; however, they can also sense numerous other parameters, including position, temperature, current, and pressure.
In 1879, American physicist Edwin Hall discovered and described the Hall Sensor Effect. From the wheel speed sensors and camshaft position sensors found in automobiles to the proximity sensors found in assembly lines, to the current sensors installed in transformers, hall sensors are found in almost every sector.
RS components have come up with this post to guide you through everything you need to know about Hall Effect sensors.
Types of Hall sensors
There are two categories of Hall sensors – digital and analogue sensors.
Signals from analogue sensors are continuous voltages that increase within a strong magnetic field and decrease in a weaker field. Hall effect sensors with linear output increase in parallel with the strength of the external magnetic field as they come into contact with the magnet until the output signal reaches the limits set by the supply. A digital output device, on the other hand, uses a Schutt trigger circuit, which steadily increases and decreases output when the voltage rises or falls beyond specific thresholds.
The digital versions come in switches and latches. While hall effect switches detect the presence or absence of a magnetic field, the latches respond to a predetermined magnetic flux.
Hall sensor applications
- Printers use Hall Effect sensors to detect whether the covers are open or that paper needs to be restocked.
- In addition to being used as rotating speed sensors, Hall effect sensors are also frequently used in bicycle wheels, gear teeth, and electronic ignition systems.
- Other than electric air guns, go-kart speed controls, and electro-pneumatic paintball guns, there are other applications of Hall effect sensors where contactless switches are needed.
- Hall sensors are used in various places, such as automotive fuel level indicators.
- Hall sensors are often used in safety equipment, for instance, they are used in tooling to provide clamp confirmation to the controlling device.
- In cars, wheel speed sensors and camshaft position sensors have been used for decades.
- In factories, proximity sensors are used in assembly lines to monitor current flow.
- Current transformers have used current sensors.
- Hall sensors are used in electric treadmills as a speed sensor that stops immediately if the user accidentally trips or falls. The user waistband is attached to a pull cord which, in turn, is attached to a magnet. If the user falls by accident, the magnet gets detached, and there is an interruption to the power supply which stops the machine.
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