Sensors and its Applications for Professional Engineer Exam

Sensors are used to monitor a physical quantity and transfer the output as electrical signals. An engineer preparing for the professional engineer exam can handle all types of sensors. The input to the sensor is a physical parameter and the output is an electrical signal. These physical parameters can be temperature, pressure, moisture/water and more. Any changes in these physical parameters are monitored by these sensors and a corresponding analog or digital output is produced. These analogs or digital signals are in turn used to modify other signals. An engineer preparing for the Professional Engineer Exam can handle all types of sensors.

There are a wide variety of sensors in the market. They are:

Sound
Electric signals
Moisture/Humidity
Light
Pressure
Fluid Velocity
Position/Angle/Displacement
Force
Heat
Proximity
Chemical
Radiations from Ions

Sensors are used to detect moisture content in irrigated lands. The capability of the soil to conduct electricity is more when the water content is more. Sensors are used to measure this dielectric constant of the soil. Based on the moisture content the water supply to the fields is switched on or off. An engineer who has done the Professional Engineering Exam Prep will know to work with a variety of sensors and monitor their outputs.

Heat sensors will be used in air-conditioning and building automation systems to adjust the amount of cooling air entering the rooms. Heat sensors are used to detect any congestion in retail stores. The heat sensors are usually installed near the doors to detect congestion.

Pressure sensors are used in floor mats to send a signal when an intruder walks in the restricted area. Pressure sensors are also used to detect if the vacuum pressure on packaged goods is sufficient to keep the food fresh for a long time. Movement sensors are also used to detect any intruder.

These days, human beings make use of wearable sensors. Senior citizens make use of wearable sensors. If they trip and fall or if there is any change in the pattern of their regular lifestyle, their caretakers are informed. According to a Gartner Survey, sensors that can be worn on the wrist have sold a whopping 70 million pieces. The Outputs from these wearable sensors also trigger corresponding apps that will help in managing the situation. Because a lot of data is collected and transmitted by these wearable sensors, the manufacturers and app developers have to ensure data security and safety. The Professional Engineer Exam Prep Course helps in identifying different sensors for different applications.

Sensors are also used in robotics. Sensors are used in places where humans and robots work together. These sensors prevent any physical harm that may happen to humans when robots and sensors work together in close proximity. When robots work together, the process of moving from one process to another is known as interlocking. Sensors are used to detect when one process ends and the next process starts.

The army is planning to use plastic sensors that are flexible and can detect troop movements. Most of the army attacks are by the sudden arrival of the enemy. This scenario can be prevented by using sensors.

These days there is a vast reduction in the size of sensors. Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technologies are used to produce miniature sensors. MEMS devices range from 20 micrometers to 1 millimeter. The Professional Engineer Exam will equip an engineer to work with different type of sensors.