4 Different Types of Transducers and Their Applications

Electronic devices are filled with electric circuitry and components. One of those components is called a transducer. The function of a transducer is to convert energy from one type of energy into another type of energy. The various types of energy that exist include chemical energy, light energy, electrical energy, mechanical energy, acoustic energy, thermal energy, and electromagnetic energy.

Most people don’t even realize how much transducers impact our lives every day. When we talk on the telephone, we are talking into a microphone. There is a transducer connected to the microphone which converts those sound waves into electrical signals. From there, those electrical signals are amplified before they’re converted into audio signals for the speakers. That is how someone is able to turn the volume up on their phone or speaker in order to hear an amplified spoken voice.

Another example is with fluorescent light bulbs. When electrical energy is used to power a fluorescent light bulb, that electrical energy is converted into light energy by a transducer in the bulb. There are so many other examples to give.

4 Types

There is not just one type of transducer, though. There are at least four main types of transducers. Let’s talk about them below.

1) Ultrasonic Transducer

The ultrasonic transducer is responsible for taking electrical signals and converting them into ultrasound waves. The distance of sound is measured by the transducer, according to the electrical signals that are reflected. If you have a piece of electronic equipment which evaluates a particular target by converting its reflected signals into ultrasonic waves, then the equipment probably has an ultrasonic transducer in it.

2) Temperature Transducer

The temperature transducer is responsible for taking the temperature of an electronic component or device and converting it into mechanical energy, electrical energy, or pressure. The newly converted energy is transmitted to a control device which manages the temperature of the component.

If you wanted to measure air temperature, then you would use a temperature transducer. An HVAC system is the best example of an air control system which depends on temperature control components like temperature transducers. Every time you adjust the heating and air conditioning of your home by using the thermostat, the temperature transducer has to measure the temperature in order to know how much cool air or heat to produce for the environment.

3) Piezoelectric Transducer

The piezoelectric transducer is responsible for taking mechanical energy and converting it into electrical energy. Alternatively, it can also take electrical energy and convert it into mechanical energy as well. You can use this transducer for a lot of different electronic devices.

For instance, the fuel injection system of an automobile uses a manifold absolute pressure sensor to transmit MAP data to the engine control unit. The piezoelectric transducer is the main device which makes this component work properly. It measures the diverse absolute pressure in order to determine how much engine load exists. It can also serve as a knock sensor for the engine control unit by detecting engine knocks.

4) Pressure Transducer

The pressure transducer takes the force of pressure and converts it into electrical energy. If you have a certain amount of liquid or gas and you want to measure the pressure of it, then you would use a pressure transducer. As the pressure is converted into electrical energy, the measurements become clear. Electronic devices that sense altitudes, pressure, depth, leakage, and speed may have a pressure transducer in them.

Conclusion

We wouldn’t have many of the electronic devices that we have today if it weren’t for these various types of transducers. Only those who build and repair electronic devices can appreciate how they work.

4 Different Types of Transducers and Their Applications