Multifunctional sensors

Multifunctional sensors

Multifunctional sensors are electronic components which, depending on their purpose and the measured values, can operate on different principles (for example, send and receive ultrasound to measure distances). They can be available in both analogue and digital versions. The basic feature of multifunctional sensors is the ability to measure the values of at least two physical quantities simultaneously. The measured parameters can be very different - sensors are available on the market to measure weather and air quality, electrical quantities, speed, acceleration, position, magnetic field, distance, light intensity and many other ambient properties. The wide range of possibilities offered by multifunctional sensors makes these elements popular in very different devices and measuring instruments, as well as in self-constructed electronic designs.

Application of multifunctional sensors

Multifunctional sensors and multifunctional measuring modules are used in a wide range of devices and systems - both commercially produced and self-developed electronic projects. In the case of thermal, weather and air quality sensors, these can be, for example, weather stations, room temperature controllers, air purifiers, heating and air conditioning systems, safety systems (for example, fire protection systems, hazardous substance detectors), cooling and temperature control systems in electronic equipment or building automation systems and intelligent home installations. Sensors detecting light intensity, speed, position or shock are ideal for robots, remote-controlled vehicles and security systems (e.g. burglar alarm systems or seismic monitoring devices), and as a useful complement to intelligent building equipment.

What to pay attention to when shopping?

As with other electronic and structural components, when choosing multifunctional sensors, the appropriate product matching to the needs of a specific project is the basis for the successful operation of a component and the entire device. When choosing multifunctional sensors, you should first of all pay attention to the measured values, measurement accuracy and measuring range, supported communication interfaces, available connectors (if the element is not wireless) and the way and parameters of power supply. The physical quantities that can be measured must be adapted to the characteristics of the project: in the case of an air purifier, for example, it can be a sensor measuring the content of suspended dust, the presence of organic substances and dangerous gases in the air, humidity and temperature. A multifunctional sensor with an accelerometer and gyroscope is ideal for a remote-controlled flying machine. The measuring range and measurement precision should also be adjusted to the planned application of the sensor - it is worth remembering that they will be different for each measured value! Therefore, if it is difficult to find a model with an appropriate measuring range and accuracy, you should choose a product that measures the most important size meticulously and over a long span (for example, in the case of a cooling system for a computer with humidity control, precise temperature measurement will be the most important). It is worth remembering that it is extremely important to properly program the sensors or modules and provide them with power supply with appropriate current parameters - otherwise the elements will not work properly and may even be damaged.

What products can you find in this category?

In this section we offer a large selection of multifunction sensors from the world's best manufacturers, including Adafruit, DFRobot, Seeedstudio (Grove series) and Sonoff. There are sensors available to measure values such as temperature, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, dust, content of various substances in the air (carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ethanol, carbon dioxide and many others), shock, light intensity, magnetic field, angular velocity, acceleration, position, distance or movement (infrared sensor). The modules and sensors offered in this section communicate through popular interfaces, such as I2C or SPI. Elements equipped with Grove, goldpin and other connectors are available. We invite you to familiarize yourself with our offer of multifunctional sensors, as well as with the rest of the shop's assortment.