Sometimes the easiest first step in finding the right magnetic sensor for your application is to start with the sensor function in mind. If you don’t know whether you need a digital hall effect switch, a quadrature gear tooth sensor, a passive variable reluctance sensor, etc., looking for a sensor by function can be a good place to start.
You can start here by indicating whether you are looking to measure speed, speed and direction, count, position, proximity, alignment, rotation angle, or the strength of a magnetic field.
Measure Speed
Hall effect sensors can be used to measure the speed of moving objects, such as in automotive applications for sensing the speed of rotating wheels or in industrial machinery.
Measure Speed and Direction
Hall effect sensors can utilize two channels to provide two outputs in phase angle that can be used to resolve the speed of a target and the direction based on which channel output is leading the other.
Measure Count
Hall sensors can be combined with a PLC or Counter to track how far the target moves. This can be applied in motion controls to ensure a system moves within the target limits of operation.
Measure Position
Hall effect sensors can be used to measure the position of moving objects, such as in automotive applications for detecting the position of actuators or valves.
Measure Proximity
Hall effect sensors detect magnetic fields, making them ideal for proximity sensing applications such as door position, rotating shaft position, and magnet detection.
Measure Alignment
Hall sensors can detect magnetic flux density transitions to output switching or analog signals that verify if a target is centered, rotating, or phased correctly.
Measure Rotation Angle
Hall effect sensors can also be used in conjunction with magnets to measure angles in rotary or linear motion systems, such as in automotive steering angle sensors or in robotics for joint position sensing.
Measure Field Strength
Hall effect sensors can be used to check the field strength of a magnet, or the sensors can be placed near a current carrying conductor which generates a magnetic field. The sensor can measure the magnetic field generated for presence or strength allowing for non-invasive current sensing in applications such as motor control, power monitoring, and energy management.
You’ve Selected a Sensor Function, Now Choose Your Target!
Once you have selected a function, the next step will be to select the type of target you will be detecting. Options for targets including gears and other steel targets as well as different types of magnets will be listed on the next page based on your function selection. After you have selected a target type all sensors that meet your function and target will be listed and you can sort out the packaging and electrical features to determine the best sensor for your application.
As alternatives to this sensor selection tool, you can also start by selecting your sensors by target. A Competitor Cross Catalog is also available to search through proven replacements for sensors manufactured by a number of different companies.
Need Custom Functionality?
If you are not sure where to start or have a custom functionality, contact our Engineers to discuss the specifics of your application.