Advantages of Fiber Optic Sensor | disadvantages of Fiber Optic Sensor
This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Fiber Optic Sensor. It mentions Fiber Optic Sensor advantages or benefits and Fiber Optic Sensor disadvantages or drawbacks.
What is Fiber Optic Sensor?
Introduction:
• The sensor is a device which measures physical quantity and converts it into signal which can be measured by instrument
or read by the user or observer.
• A sensor which measures physical quantity based on its modulation on intensity, spectrum, phase or
polarization of light traveling through the optical fiber system is known as fiber optic sensor.
• Optical sensor is a device which converts light rays into electronic signals.
• This is similar to photoresistor >>
which changes its resistance based on quantity of light falling on it and the same is read by the instrument.
Figure-1 above depicts basic elements of an fiber optic sensor system. As shown, it consists of light source, optical fiber, sensing element or transducer and a detector. Refer article on fiber optic sensor >> for basics and types of optical fiber sensors.
Benefits or advantages of Fiber Optic Sensor
Following are the benefits or advantages of Fiber Optic Sensor:
➨Fiber optic sensor does not have any disturbance from EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference).
➨It is safe and suitable to be used in extreme vibration and harse environments.
➨It is tolerent against high temperature (i.e. >1450oC) and corrosive environments.
➨It offers high sensitivity and hence very small changes can also be measured.
➨It is light in weight and compact in size.
➨It offers wide dynamic range and large bandwidth.
➨It offers multiplexing and remote sensing capabilities.
➨It can be used in multifunctional sensing capabilities for mechanical measurement,
electric measurements, Magnetic measurements, chemical & biological sensing and so on.
➨It can measure nearly all of the physical measurands e.g. temperature, pressure,
flow, liquid level, displacement, vibration, rotation, magnetic fields, electric fields, acceleration,
force, radiation, pH, humidity, strain, velocity etc.
Drawbacks or disadvantages of Fiber Optic Sensor
Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Fiber Optic Sensor:
➨It is very expensive.
➨Detection systems may be complex.
➨It is unfamiliar to the user and hence it requires basic training before they start using it.
➨It requires precise installation methods or procedures.
➨It is complex to develop usable measurement systems using fiber optic sensors.
➨Refer advantages and disadvantages of fiber optic pressure sensor >> and
fiber optic temperature sensor >> for more specific information.
Advantages and Disadvantages of other Sensor Types
Different types of Sensors Related links
Article on Sensors and Transducers>>
Proximity Sensor
Occupancy Sensor vs Motion Sensor
LVDT and RVDT sensor
Position, displacement and level sensor
force sensor and strain sensor
temperature sensor
pressure sensor
Humidity sensor
MEMS sensor
Touch sensor
Haptic sensor
Wireless sensor
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