Analogue temperature sensors
Analogue temperature sensors work by converting temperature information obtained from the environment into a specific electrical quantity (in most cases voltage) - unlike digital sensors, where a binary signal is received at the output. Since this quantity is proportional to the measurement value read by the sensor, measuring it is sufficient to know the temperature in the sensor's environment. For example, in a popular LM35 sensor, the voltage change is linear and is 10 mV/°C, which means that the voltage increase is 10 mV for each degree Celsius (for example, if 10°C is X volts, at 11°C, the sensor will output a voltage of X volts plus 10 mV). The popularity of analogue temperature sensors has many reasons - they can include, among others, a relatively low price, reliability or the lack of necessity to have a microcontroller to read the measurement result.
Application of temperature sensors
Temperature sensors are used in many projects and electronic devices. They are an indispensable element of household appliances (e.g. such as kettle, washing machine, dishwasher or refrigerator), as well as safety systems (fire-fighting installations), heating, air-conditioning or home automation systems. Analogue temperature sensors work extremely well with some minicomputers, for example the popular Arduino, which makes these elements often used simultaneously. A good example is a self-made temperature control system in an intelligent building, which will be based on the use of Arduino and analogue temperature sensors collecting data. Such an installation can transmit the readout information to the heating or air conditioning devices, which will be activated or deactivated as required. Analogue temperature sensors are also ideal for projects such as thermometers or weather stations.
What to pay attention to when choosing?
Before deciding on a particular model, it is worth checking which sensor parameters are most important for the application, which will allow you to choose a proposal perfectly suited to a particular project. Like other sensors, temperature sensors have a strictly defined measuring range, which should not be exceeded in order not to damage the element. Usually it is a safe working temperature and ranges from about -50°C to about 120-150°C. It is also worth noting the resolution of the sensor, i.e. the accuracy with which it reads the measured temperature (usually from ±0.5°C to ±2°C). Power supply voltage is also important because it determines the correct operation and durability of the element (applying too high a voltage can irreparably damage the sensor). The way of mounting the sensor may be different - there are analogue temperature sensors made in THT technology (threaded), but also SMD elements (for surface mounting) or models equipped with different types of connectors.
What products can you find in this category?
In this category you will find a wide range of analogue temperature sensors and temperature measurement modules that communicate via an analogue signal. We offer sensors with different measuring ranges (ranging from -50°C to as much as 600°C) and accuracy, so that you will easily find a model perfectly suited to your project. There is a wide range of THT and other standards available. A very attractive proposal are modules with a temperature sensor, for example from the Grove series (including a model using infrared radiation measurement) or from the Iduino collection. We also offer integrated multifunctional sensors, containing simultaneously, for example, temperature and humidity sensor. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our proposals available in this category, as well as with the rest of Botland store's assortment, including a wide range of digital temperature sensors and high accuracy thermal sensors.