Sensors

What are sensors?

Sensors are smart devices that measure an event or change in the environment. A sensor converts this into an electrical signal that can be read and calculated. To read the values, you can use an Arduino, ESP or a Raspberry Pi for example. You can also use sensors to make a project autonomous. An example of this is a robot.

What types of sensors are there?

There are various types of sensors available, each of which can observe or measure something different. For example, a sensor can measure parameters such as light, speed, humidity or temperature. Here you can see what each type of sensor can do:

• Temperature sensor: this measures and records the temperature. When the temperature rises above or falls below a set value, a device can be switched. For example, a heating or cooling system.
• Motion sensor: this sensor registers movement and can convert this into a signal that, for example, turns on the light or triggers an alarm.
• Light sensor: a light sensor measures the amount of light and is used to measure, for example, the intensity or the difference in light. You can think of a flash on a camera, which automatically switches on when the amount of light is too low.
• Humidity sensor: this sensor measures the amount of moisture in a room. This can be used to automatically turn on bathroom ventilation, for example.

Using sensors in projects

Are you curious about how a sensor works and how you can use it? In our Raspberry Pi Project: Weather Station we show you how to make a weather station with a temperature and humidity sensor. Another example is our Arduino Project: DS18B20 Thermometer , where we will teach you how to make a thermometer with an Arduino and a temperature sensor. The possibilities with sensors are endless.