Glossary · Sensors and measurement
Inductive sensor
German: Induktiver Sensor
In sensor technology, an inductive sensor is a sensor that uses changes in inductance or in an alternating magnetic field, caused by a metal target or a moving core, to detect presence or to measure position or displacement.
- Sensors
In one sentence
An inductive sensor uses changes in an alternating magnetic field or in inductance to detect metal objects or measure position.
Example
An inductive analog sensor measures the distance to a rotating metal disk and so monitors its axial runout.
How it applies
- Engineering: Inductive principles appear in proximity switches, analog distance sensors, eddy-current sensors, LVDTs and resolvers. They are robust against dirt, oil and water, which makes them common on machines.
- Commissioning: Target material and size affect the signal. Analog inductive sensors need to be scaled or taught with the real target.
- Maintenance: Metal chips on the sensing face can cause false signals; include checks in the maintenance plan for machining environments.
- Documentation: Specify which variant is meant. In German, induktiver Wegaufnehmer names the LVDT, while induktiver Sensor usually means a proximity switch, so translations should keep the distinction.
Inductive sensor vs. inductive proximity sensor
Inductive sensor names the principle. The Inductive proximity sensor is its most common form, with a switching output for metal objects.