Technical Note: Intrinsically Safe vs. Inherently Safe Sensors

Intrinsically safe (IS) sensors are designed to operate safely in hazardous areas where there is a risk of explosion. IS sensors limit the amount of electrical and thermal energy that can be released in the event of a fault, to a level below that which is capable of igniting flammable gases, vapors, or dust.

Case Study: Retrofitting Water Valves for Remote Position Information

While they may be small, the role of rotary encoders in spacecraft is vital, demanding a balance between performance, reliability, and the unforgiving environment of space. From NASA’s Robonaut II to automated material handling systems on the International Space Station, Everight has worked with engineers to put rotary encoders into ‘the final frontier.’

Accuracy, Resolution and Repeatability

There are several key terms that are critical to specifying the optimal position sensor for a given application. This application note defines these key terms and how they relate to the sensor’s role in the overall system performance. It is important to consider that precision is very much a system issue and can be dominated by mechanical errors such as eccentricity. This paper discusses the most significant mechanical error for rotary applications (eccentricity) and presents eccentricity tolerant position sensor solutions.

MEMS Inclinometer Specifications

Inclinometers, also called tilt sensors, clinometers, or slope sensors, are designed to measure the angle of an object with respect to the force of gravity. These tilt or level meters determine the pitch and/or roll angle and output these values via the appropriate electrical interface.