Both sensors and actuators play crucial roles in various types of machinery, providing essential information for the operation of these machines. Despite their similar presence in electrical and mechanical devices, their functions are quite distinct.
Essentially, sensors are responsible for detecting physical changes in their surroundings and converting these into electrical signals. Conversely, actuators take these electrical signals and transform them into physical actions such as generating heat, sound, or electricity.
This article aims to delve deeper into the differences between a sensor and an actuator, but first, we need to understand what each of these components is.
Defining a Sensor
A sensor is a device designed to capture physical changes or events and convert them into electrical signals. It is a type of hardware that gathers data from its surroundings, transforms it into an electrical format, and then feeds it to the associated system or device.
A common example is a barometer, which measures atmospheric pressure and converts it into electrical signals for further processing. Other examples include humidity sensors, light sensors, and proximity sensors.
Explaining an Actuator
An actuator, on the other hand, performs the opposite function to a sensor. It takes electrical signals as input and then produces a physical action or event as output.
Examples of actuators include devices such as fans, which take electrical input and convert it into rotational motion, or light bulbs, which convert electrical energy into light.
Comparing Sensors and Actuators
Now, let's discuss the fundamental differences between a sensor and an actuator.
Parameters
Sensor
Actuator
Basic Function
Sensors convert environmental physical changes into electrical signals.
Actuators transform electrical signals into physical actions or events.
Input Source
Sensors receive input from their surroundings.
Actuators receive input from the system's output conditioning component.
Output Destination
Sensors send their output to the system's input conditioning component.
Actuators produce output for their environment.
Output Type
Sensors produce electrical signals as output.
Actuators produce physical actions like motion or heat as output.
Placement
Sensors are located at the system's input port.
Actuators are situated at the system's output port.
Examples
Examples of sensors include barometers, humidity sensors, light sensors, and proximity sensors.
Examples of actuators include fans, light bulbs, and heaters.
What is the main difference between a Sensor and an Actuator?
The main difference is that sensors pick physical gestures from their environment and convert them into electrical signals- while actuators pick the system’s electrical signals to convert them into physical gestures (heat, sound, electricity, etc.).
What is a Sensor?
Sensors are devices that we use to convert any physical characteristics or events into electric signals. It collects data input from its environment, converts it into electrical signals, and then gives it to the device/system.
What is an Actuator?
An actuator converts an electric signal to a characteristic or a physical event. It receives inputs from any system in the form of electrical signals and then generates an output for its environment.