Sensors

Sensors are transducers that can detect or sense characteristics in their environment. They detect changes in the apparatus or environment and provide a corresponding optical or electrical signal. Sensors are commonly divided in six classes: mechanical, electronic, thermal, magnetic, electrochemical, and optical sensors.

range of sensors
kinds of sensor
sensing apparatus
typology of sensors
transducers
types of sensor
sensing device

knowledge

cross-sector

Sensors is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Sensor engineer: Sensor engineers design and develop sensors, sensor systems and products that are equipped with sensors. They plan and monitor the manufacture of these products.
Sensor engineering technician: Sensor engineering technicians collaborate with sensor engineers in the development of sensors, sensor systems, and products that are equipped with sensors. Their role is to build, test, maintain, and repair the sensor equipment.
Rail maintenance technician: Rail maintenance technicians execute routine inspections of railway tracks, powerlines, signage stations, switches, and other railway infrastructure. They are also sent out to repair defects quickly, safely, and at any time of the day or night.

Sensors is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Photonics engineering technician: Photonics engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of photonic systems or components, usually in the form of optical equipment, such as lasers, lenses, and fibre optic equipment. Photonics engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optical equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.
Electronics engineering technician: Electronics engineering technicians work closely with electronics engineers in the development of electronic equipment and devices. Electronics engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, and maintaining electronic devices.
Optoelectronic engineer: Optoelectronic engineers design and develop optoelectronic systems and devices, such as UV sensors, photodiodes, and LEDs. Optoelectronic engineering combines optical engineering with electronic engineering in the design of these systems and devices. They conduct research, perform analysis, test the devices, and supervise the research.
Industrial robot controller: Industrial robot controllers operate and monitor industrial robots used in automation processes to perform various manufacturing activities such as lifting, welding and assembling. They ensure that the machines are working correctly and in sync with other industrial robots, maintain and repair defective parts, assess risks and perform tests.
Robotics engineering technician: Robotics engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of robotic devices and applications through a combination of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, and computer engineering. Robotics engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate robotic equipment.
Microsystem engineer: Microsystem engineers research, design, develop, and supervise the production of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), which can be integrated in mechanical, optical, acoustic, and electronic products.
Electronics production supervisor: Electronics production supervisors coordinate, plan and direct the electronics production process. They manage labourers working on the production line, oversee the quality of the assembled goods, and perform cost and resource management.
Electrical engineer: Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, electrical equipment, components, motors, and equipment with the feature of energy transmission. They engage in large scale projects such as the design and maintenance of power stations, and the distribution of power to smaller applications such as household appliances.
Optical engineer: Optical engineers design and develop different industrial applications with optics. They have knowledge of light, light transmission principles, and optics in order to design engineering specs of equipment such as microscopes, lenses, telescopes, and other optical devices.
Optoelectronic engineering technician: Optoelectronic engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of optoelectronic systems and components, such as photodiodes, optical sensors, lasers and LED’s. Optoelectronic engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optoelectronic equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.
Irrigation system installer: Irrigation system installers build the necessary infrastructure for irrigation of soil, usually for agricultural purposes. They may be specialised in one or more of the various types of stationary irrigation systems.

References

1. Sensors – ESCO