Types of Transducers
We all know that as an electronic device, transducers serve to transform one type of energy into another. They are used for various electronic devices. There are particular types of transducers for different applications.
Two Types
For common purposes, transducers are usually classified into two basic types—as either sensor or actuator. The former is primarily a detector and translator of energy such as radio while the latter functions to change an electrical signal into that which is non-electric like sound and graphs. For scientific tools, these could come in the form of data feedback output.
One example of a sensor is sonar, which detects sound waves bounced off surfaces under the ocean and translates them into a non-electrical output such as lines on a chart. On the other hand, a good example of an actuator is the earphone. This changes electrical pulses into magnetic ones which cause vibrations that we hear as sound in the air.
General Transducers
More specific types of transducers are the following—under which may be sub classes that serve specific industrial purposes: Electromagnetic (commonly-used), Electrochemical, Electrostatic, Electromechanical or actuators, Thermoelectric, Electroacoustic, Radioacoustic, and Photoelectric.
The types used for everyday devices are the electromagnetic, electroacoustic, and photoelectric transducers. These can be found in home gadgets that produce sound and light like the radio set, television set and fluorescent lamp. More complex appliances and gadgets like the personal computer are laden with transducers and serve to operate tools or help display specific outputs.
Translation
Transducers change energy using various ways. The piezoelectric effect for one is used to a large extent and comes from the translation of pressure force into electricity that can then be used for a number of device applications. Crystals play an important role in this process as it facilitates the translation of input energy as output energy.
A problem with types of transducers is the loss of energy during the translation process. This is what causer a loss of data, no matter how sleight. This means there is no transducer that is one hundred percent efficient. Nevertheless, they are no less practical for whatever purpose designed.