Top Sensor Types in IoT

Most of the industries and organizations have been using various types of sensors for a long time, but the invention of the Internet of Things technology has brought sensor evolutions to a whole new level.

Let’s look at some of the key sensors, widely used in the world of the Internet of Things.

1. Temperature sensors

According to the definition, “A device, used to measure the amount of thermal energy that can detect a physical change in the temperature of a particular source and convert the data of a device or user, is called a temperature sensor.”

These sensors have been deployed for a long time in various devices. However, with the emergence of IoT, they have found more room to be present in a larger number of devices.

Just a few years ago, their uses were mainly limited to the control of air conditioning, refrigerators and similar devices used for environmental control.

However, with the advent of the IoT world, they have regained their role in manufacturing processes, agriculture and the health industry. Many machines require a specific environmental temperature, as well as the temperature of the device in the manufacturing process.

With this type of measurement, the manufacturing process has always remained optimal.

2. Proximity sensor

A device capable of detecting the presence or absence of an object in proximity or the properties of that object and converts it into a signal that can be easily read by the user or by a simple electronic instrument without coming in contact with them.

Proximity sensors are widely used in the retail sector because they are capable of detecting movements and the correlation between the customer and the product in which they might be interested in. A user is immediately informed of the discounts and special offers of nearby products.

Vehicles are another case of relatively old and fairly old use. You overturn your car and you are already aware of an obstacle while taking a step back, it is the work of the proximity sensor.

They are also used for the availability of parking spaces in places such as shopping malls, stadiums or airports.

Here are a few proximity sensors sub-categorized for your reference:

• Inductive Sensors
• Capacitive Sensors
• Photoelectric sensors
• Ultrasonic Sensors

3. Pressure sensor

A pressure sensor is a device that senses the pressure and converts it into an electrical signal. Here, the amount depends on the level of pressure applied.

There are many devices that use liquid or other pressures. These sensors make it possible to create IoT systems monitoring pressurized propulsion systems and devices. In case there's a deviation from the standard pressure range, the device notifies the administrator of any problem requiring solution.

The deployment of these sensors is not only very useful in manufacturing, but also in the maintenance of entire water and heating systems because it is easy to detect any fluctuation or pressure drop.

4. Water quality sensor

Water quality sensors are used for the detection of the quality of water and ion monitoring fundamentally in water distribution systems.

The following is a list of the most commonly used types of water sensors.

• Chlorine Residual Sensor
• Total organic carbon Sensor
• Turbidity Sensor
• Conductivity Sensor
• pH Sensor
• Oxygen-Reduction Potential Sensor

5. Chemical sensor

Chemical sensors are applied in a number of industries. Their purpose is to indicate fluid changes or to detect chemical changes in the air. They play a significant role in the big cities, where it's necessary to follow changes and protect the population.

The main cases of use of chemical sensors are in the monitoring of the industrial environment and the control of processes, the detection of harmful chemical substances, the detection of explosives and radioactive substances liberated intentionally or accidentally, recycling processes on the space station, the pharmaceutical industry, and laboratories, etc.

The most commonly used types of chemical sensors are:

• Chemical field effect transistor
• Chemiresistor
• Electrochemical gas sensor
• Fluorescent chloride sensors
• Non-dispersive infrared sensor
• pH glass electrode
• Potentiometric sensor
• Zinc oxide nanorod sensor
• Hydrogen sulfide sensor