LÁZARO PAMILA EDNNA VERANO 2019

SELF REVIEW
SEGMENT 1
1. An ELECTRONIC SENSOR is a type of input device that is used in a control system to
sense the presence of an object.

2. Electronic sensors perform the same function as MECHANICAL LIMIT SWITCHES, but
they use electrical principles instead of mechanical movement to sense the presence
of an object.

3. Each type of sensor uses a different ELECTRICAL principle to sense the presence of
an object.

4. Five types of electronic sensors are: Inductive Proximity Sensor, Capacitive Proximity
Sensor, Magnetic Reed Switch, Hall-Effect Sensor, and PHOTOELECTRIC SENSOR.

5. All electronic sensors consist of two major components: SENSOR and Switch.

6. The sensor activates the switch that provides the INPUT SIGNAL, on or off, to the
controller.
LÁZARO PAMILA EDNNA VERANO 2019

SEGMENT 2
1. An inductive proximity sensor creates a MAGNETIC field that is used to sense when
a metal part comes into range.

2. A typical inductive proximity sensor has an inductor or COIL in it sensing head.

3. METALLIC targets are the only targets that can be detected by an inductive proximity
sensor.

4. Five characteristics that can affect inductive proximity sensor performance are:
Target Material, Target Size, TARGET DISTANCE, Sensor Head Size, and Sensor
Mounting.

5. Ferrous targets that contain iron, like steel, can be detected at GREATER distances
than nonferrous targets such as aluminum.

6. An inductive proximity sensor will detect a large metallic target at a GREATER

distance than a small metallic target.

7. The CLOSER a metallic target is to an inductive proximity sensor, the more likely it is
to be sensed.

8. If an inductive proximity sensor is mounted near METALLIC objects or in the presence

of MAGNETIC fields its ability to sense the target may be reduced.
LÁZARO PAMILA EDNNA VERANO 2019

SEGMENT 3
1. A capacitive proximity sensor uses the principle of CAPACITANCE to sense the
presence of an object.

2. A capacitor is a device that can store electrical energy in an ELECTROSTATIC field that
is set up between the capacitor’s plates.

3. The capacitor’s insulating material, or DIELECTRIC, is formed by the air that is

between the two plates outside of the actual sensor head.

4. The capacitive sensor can sense both METALLIC and NONMETALLIC objects.

5. When a METALLIC object approaches the capacitive sensor, it effectively replaces the
capacitor’s normal dielectric air, with another insulator.

6. A capacitive proximity sensor detects metallic objects at GREATER distances than

nonmetallic objects.

7. If a capacitive or inductive proximity sensor is mounted near metallic objects or in

the presence of electric or magnetic fields, like those generated by other sensors, its
ability to sense the target may be REDUCED.

8. The CLOSER a target, metallic or nonmetallic, is to the sensor, the more likely it is to
be sensed.