This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Position Sensors - Angle, Linear Position Measuring category on DigiKey.com
Angle and linear position measuring sensors use capacitive, Hall effect, inductive, LVDT, LVIT, magnetoresistive, optical or resistive technology to determine the position of the sensor’s actuator relative to a reference point. Angle position sensors are differentiated by their electrical or mechanical range in either a limited or continuous rotation range. Linear position sensors are differentiated by ranges from 0 up to 400 inches. Other considerations include actuator type, output type and signal, mounting type and percent linearity.
SelectionCharacteristics
Specifications to determine which angle or linear position measuring sensor is right for your application.
For Measuring: Indicates the quantity, process parameter, or other variable(s) that a device is intended to measure.
Technology: The technology used as the means of measuring, such as capacitance, inductance, hall effect, etc.
Rotation Angle – Electrical, Mechanical: The amount of actuator rotation required to vary a sensor’s electrical output between its limiting values, and from one mechanical end stop (if present) to the other.
Linear Range: Indicates the span of linear distance over which a device is capable of making measurements.
Output: The interface protocol used by the device to communicate with other components in the system such as analog, digital, I2C, etc.
Output Signal: Indicates the type of electrical signal the device provides, such as
logic, digital, etc.
Actuator Type: The type of actuator used by the sensor, such as ball, shaft, magnet, etc.
Linearity: Characterizes deviations of a device’s transfer function from an ideal straight line.
Resistance: A measure of the device’s opposition to current flow. Measured in Ohms.
Resistance Tolerance: Characterizes the extent of permitted variability of overall device resistance among samples of a given part number, resulting from variations in manufacturing.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as.
PC pins, wire leads, cable, etc.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | 3382G-1-103G |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 3382G-1-103GTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Bourns Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Resistive Sensor Rotary Position Hole for Shaft SMD (SMT) Tab |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | HMC1512-TR |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 342-1010-2-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Honeywell Aerospace |
| DESCRIPTION | Magnetoresistive Sensor Angle, Linear, Rotary External Magnet, Not Included Gull Wing |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | HAL830UT-A |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | HAL830UT-ACT-ND - Cut Tape (CT) |
| MANUFACTURER | TDK-Micronas GmbH |
| DESCRIPTION | Hall Effect Sensor Angle, Linear, Rotary External Magnet, Not Included PC Pin |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 55300-00-02-A |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | HE608-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Littelfuse Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Hall Effect Sensor Rotary Position External Magnet, Included Wire Leads |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 5321R5KL2.0 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1724-1223-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Sensata-BEI Sensors |
| DESCRIPTION | Resistive Sensor Rotary Position Shaft Solder Lug |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Sensata University | Position Sensors 101
Videos on Position Sensors
Articles
Position Sensing in Vehicles
Angular Rotation Sensors Provide Speed/Position
Product Training Modules
Product Training Modules on Position Sensors
Blogs
Hall Effect Sensor Basics
TechForum
TechForum posts on Position Sensors