Proximity detector
Encyclopedia
Proximity detectors are devices that use mutual capacitance
between itself and object in order to detect its presence.
There are many types of proximity detector. Common types include:
Mutual capacitance
Mutual capacitance is intentional or unintentional capacitance that occurs between two charge-holding objects or conductors, in which the current passing through one passes over into the other. Unlike mutual inductance, mutual capacitance only works along short distances...
between itself and object in order to detect its presence.
There are many types of proximity detector. Common types include:
- magnetic proximity switch - see reed switchReed switchThe reed switch is an electrical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. It was invented at Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1936 by W. B. Ellwood. It consists of a pair of contacts on ferrous metal reeds in a hermetically sealed glass envelope...
- infrared proximity switch
See also
- Magnetic proximity fuseMagnetic proximity fuseA Magnetic proximity fuze was patented by P.J. Eliomarkakis, although similar devices had been in service for nearly a decade...
- Proximity sensorProximity sensorA proximity sensor is a sensor able to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact.A proximity sensor often emits an electromagnetic or a beam of electromagnetic radiation , and looks for changes in the field or return signal. The object being sensed is often referred to as...
- Touch switchTouch switchA touch switch is a type of switch that only has to be touched by an object to operate. It is used in many lamps and wall switches that have a metal exterior as well as on public computer terminals...
, another device made possible by body capacitance