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Proximity switches open or close an electrical circuit when they make contact with or come within a certain distance of an object. Proximity switches are most commonly used in manufacturing equipment, robotics, and security systems. There are four basic types of proximity switches: infrared, acoustic, capacitive, and inductive.

Infrared proximity switches work by sending out beams of invisible infrared light. A photodetector on the proximity switch detects any reflections of this light. These reflections allow infrared proximity switches to determine whether there is an object nearby. As proximity switches with just a light source and photodiode are susceptible to false readings due to background light, more complex switches modulate the transmitted light at a specific frequency and have receivers which only respond to that frequency. Even more complex proximity sensors are able to use the light reflected from an object to compute its distance from the sensor.

Acoustic proximity sensors are similar in principle to infrared models, but use sound instead of light. They use a transducer to transmit inaudible sound waves at various frequencies in a preset sequence, then measure the length of time the sound takes to hit a nearby object and return to a second transducer on the switch. Essentially, acoustic proximity sensors measure the time it takes for sound pulses to "echo" and use this measurement to calculate distance, just like sonar.

Capacitive proximity switches sense distance to objects by detecting changes in capacitance around it. A radio-frequency oscillator is connected to a metal plate. When the plate nears an object, the radio frequency changes, and the frequency detector sends a signal telling the switch to open or close. These proximity switches have the disadvantage of being more sensitive to objects that conduct electricity than to objects that do not.

Inductive proximity switches sense distance to objects by generating magnetic fields. They are similar in principle to metal detectors. A coil of wire is charged with electrical current, and an electronic circuit measures this current. If a metallic part gets close enough to the coil, the current will increase and the proximity switch will open or close accordingly. The chief disadvantage of inductive proximity switches is that they can only detect metallic objects.

Proximity switches are used in manufacturing processes -- for example, to measure the position of machine components. They are also used in security systems, in applications such as detecting the opening of a door, and in robotics, where they can monitor a robot or its components' nearness to objects and steer it accordingly

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Q: How does a proximity sensor work?
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What is found in a computer scanner?

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Related questions

Can a mobile work without the proximity sensor?

Yes it can. The proximity sensor is only used to reduce the volume when you hold it to your ear. You should be able to set the volume level manually.


Can a mobile phone work without the proximity sensor?

Yes it can. The proximity sensor is only used to reduce the volume when you hold it to your ear. You should be able to set the volume level manually.


How does proximity sensor work?

Without physical contact detecting the presence of objects is the purpose of proximity sensors. They work based on inductive, magnetic, photoelectric and capacitive properties of objects.


Advantages of proximity sensors?

Advantage of proximity sensor?


What is difference between photoelectric sensor and proximity sensor?

photoelectric sensor-sense both metal & non-metal proximity sensor -sense metal only


What are the advantages and disadvantages of inductive proximity sensor?

The advantages of inductive proximity sensors areThey are very accurate compared to other technologiesHave high switching rateCan work in harsh environmental conditionThe disadvantages of inductive proximity sensor areIt can detect only metallic targetsOperating range may be limited


What is the difference between magnetic pick up and proximity sensor?

A limit switch turns on or off when the object being sensed reaches a specific location.A proximity sensor returns an analog signal indicating how far the object is from the sensor.


What is proximity sensor on android ascend 2?

Proximity sensor allows the Mobile display to off during call when mobile is near to ears.


Who invented the first proximity sensor?

tion


What is a proximity sensor used for?

A proximity sensor is used for detecting close objects by emitting an electromagnetic field. These are useful for detecting objects without touching them.


What sensor do you use to detect a moving target crossing a certain point?

Infrared proximity sensor.


What signal is generated by a hall sensor?

A: DISTURB signal when the magnetics are in proximity