Voltage sensor

What is a voltage sensor?

A voltage sensor is a device that measures voltage. Voltage sensors can measure the voltage in various ways, from measuring high voltages to detecting low current levels. These devices are essential for many applications, including industrial controls and power systems.

How does a voltage sensor work?

A voltage sensor is a device that measures the voltage of an electrical circuit. Voltage sensors are used in many applications, including monitoring and controlling equipment and machinery. Different types of voltage sensors work in various ways; here is an example:

Electromagnetic. This type uses an electromagnetic field to detect changes in voltage. The sensor's exposure to an electric current generates a magnetic field. It induces currents in nearby conductors, such as wires or circuit boards, sensitive enough to detect these changes. This type of sensor is often used with microcontrollers since they can easily measure changes in electromagnetic fields around them with the help of built-in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).

What are the different types of voltage sensors?

There are two types of voltage sensors: those that measure voltage and those that measure current (or amperage). The first type is a voltage-sensitive resistor (VSR), while the second is an operational amplifier (op-amp).

VSRs are used in electronic circuits where you need to sense small changes in voltage, such as sensors for measuring battery life or solar panel output. Op-amps can be used for tasks like driving motors or controlling LEDs, and they're also often found inside microcontrollers like Arduino boards.

What are the advantages of using a voltage sensor?

Voltage sensors are used to monitor and control many things. They can be used in industrial equipment and consumer products. Their advantages include:

24/7 monitoring of equipment
Alerts if voltage data is critical (too high or too low)
Their degree of accuracy for voltage monitoring is high
Generally are eco-friendly
Help you save on costs for electrical circuits and equipment since it monitors and prevents overheating or underpowering
Help you prevent unexpected downtime on your equipment

Who uses voltage sensors?

Voltage sensors are used in various industries, including the automotive, manufacturing, maintenance, and medical fields.

In the maintenance industry, voltage sensors are used to monitor the voltage of assets and equipment. For example, if the sensor is wireless, it can be placed anywhere on an asset. The data can be relayed back to a CMMS (for example), where a maintenance manager can make adjustments based on their preventive maintenance plan. Below are some examples of voltage sensors in maintenance:

Power failure detection: the process of detecting a power failure so that the system can safely switch to an alternate power source.
Load sensing: a method of measuring the load on a motor and adjusting its speed accordingly.
Safety switching: refers to a device that shuts off power in case of an overload or fault condition to prevent equipment damage.
Motor overload control: a technique for preventing motor damage due to overloading by using thermal sensors, pressure sensors, current sensors, or other methods to detect the condition of the motor and avoid damage.
Temperature control: refers to controlling temperature by regulating airflow or adding insulation around machinery components.
Fault detection: refers to identifying faults within machinery components using sensors, alarms, or other devices to perform maintenance before severe damage occurs.

Want to try a CMMS today?

Get started for free

Voltage sensors can be used to help monitor and control many things

Voltage sensors can detect changes in voltage, which means they can be used to measure anything from light levels to temperature. These sensors can save you on costs in the long run since they prevent equipment downtime.