More Information on Sensors...

What is a Sensor?

An electronic sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity in order to convert it into an electronic signal that can be read by an electronic instrument or by an observer. A sensor receives and responds to a signal when touched. Ideally, sensors are designed in order to be linear to a simple mathematical function of the measurement. The output signal is linearly proportional to the value or a simple function of the measured property. The sensitivity is then defined as the ratio between the measured property and the output signal. Sensitivity indicates how much the output of the sensor changes when the measured quantity changes.

Types of Sensors

There are several different kinds of sensors at Future Electronics. We stock many of the most common types categorized by several parameters including supply voltage, supply current, output type, output current, operating temperature range, accuracy, sensing range, packaging type and several other attributes specific to each type of sensor. Our parametric filters will allow you to refine your search results according to the required specifications.

Sensors from Future Electronics

Future Electronics has a wide range of sensors from several manufacturers. Once you decide if you need an Accelerometer, Air Quality and CO2 Sensor, Angular Position Sensor, Biosensor, Gyroscope Sensor, Environmental sensor, Humidity / Dew Sensor, Image Sensor, Light Sensor, Inertial sensor, Light and Color sensor, Linear Position Sensor, Magnetic / Hall Effect Sensor, Motion and Occupancy Sensor, Position and Speed sensor, Pressure Sensor, Proximity Sensor or Temperature Sensor, you will be able to choose from their technical attributes and your search results will be narrowed to match your specific sensor application needs.

We deal with several manufacturers such as ams, Bosch Sensortech, Integrated Device Technology (IDT), ON Semiconductor, TE Connectivity (Measurement Specialties), Melexis, Microchip, NXP and STMicroelectronics, among others. You can easily refine your sensor product search results by clicking your preferred sensor brand from the list of manufacturers below.

Applications for Sensors:

Accelerometers can be used in order to measure vehicle acceleration and vibration in vehicles, process control systems, machines, buildings and safety installations.

Motion sensors can be found connected to a burglar alarm used in order to alert the security company or home owner after a motion is detected. They can also be used to trigger a red light camera.

The main applications for gyro sensors are angular velocity sensing, angle sensing and control mechanisms to sense the vibrations produced by external factors.

Proximity sensors have a wide range of applications including parking assistance, conveyor systems, vibration measurements, roller coasters, anti-aircraft warfare, mobile phones and touch screens on mobile devices.

Applications for pressure sensors include aircraft, automobiles, weather instrumentation and any other machinery that has pressure functionality implemented. Other applications for pressure sensors include measuring flow and to calculate the level of a fluid or a loss of pressure due to a system leak.

Measurement applications for linear position sensors include coordinate-measuring machines, gear measurement tension testers, laser scanners and callipers, pick-and-place PCB assembly equipment, robotics, machine tools, wire bonders, printers and digital presses.

Hall Effect sensors are often seen in industrial applications and in consumer equipment. They can also be found in various types of sensors such as rotating speed sensors, current sensors, pressure sensors and fluid flow sensors.

Devices that include light sensors have several uses in scientific applications and in everyday consumer products. A light sensor may be part of a safety or security device like a garage door opener or a burglary alarm. Several modern electronics, including TV’s, computers and wireless phones use ambient light sensors in order to automatically control the brightness of a screen in situations where light intensity is high or low.

Image sensors are mostly used in camera modules, digital cameras and other imaging devices. Applications in the dental x-ray field include intra-oral, panoramic and cephalometric imaging.

Humidity sensors are found as part of home HVAC systems. They can also be found in offices, cars, humidors, museums, industrial spaces and greenhouses and can be used in meteorology stations to report and predict weather. Dew sensors are used in the coating industry because the application of paint may be extremely sensitive to dew point.

Angular position sensors can be found in a wide array of automotive applications including steering wheel, pedal, motor-shaft, throttle, torque, power seat and power mirror position sensing. They can also be used in industrial applications such as valve position sensing, in flow meters and in robotics.

Temperature sensors are widely used in engineering and scientific applications, especially measurement systems. They are found within roadways in cold weather climates in order to help determine if icing conditions exist. Indoors, temperature sensors are used in several climate control systems including refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and water heaters.

Choosing the Right Sensor:

With the FutureElectronics.com parametric search, when looking for the right sensors, you can filter the results by category. We carry the following categories of sensors: Accelerometer, Air Quality and CO2 Sensor, Angular Position Sensor, Biosensor, Gyroscope Sensor, Environmental sensor, Humidity / Dew Sensor, Image Sensor, Light Sensor, Inertial sensor, Light and Color sensor, Linear Position Sensor, Magnetic / Hall Effect Sensor, Motion and Occupancy Sensor, Position and Speed sensor, Pressure Sensor, Proximity Sensor or Temperature Sensor.

Once you choose the sensor category, you can narrow them down by various attributes: by supply current, supply voltage, output current, output type, accuracy, operating temperature range and sensing range, to name a few. You will be able to find the right Accelerometer, Angular Position, Gyro, Humidity / Dew, Image, Light, Linear Position, Magnetic / Hall Effect, Motion, Pressure, Proximity or Temperature sensor by using these filters.

Sensors in Production Ready Packaging or R&D Quantities

If the quantity of sensors you require is less than a full reel, we offer to our customers several of our sensors in tray, tube or individual quantities that will help you avoid unneeded surplus.

Future Electronics also offers its clients a unique bonded inventory program designed to eliminate potential problems that may arise from an unpredictable supply of products that could contain raw metals and products with erratic or long lead times. Talk with your nearest Future Electronics branch and find out more on how you and your company can avoid possible shortages.