Teacher: Bradl ey Burnett

Date: 5/02/14
Cl ass: 6A
TRANSDUCERS
A transducer is a device that converts energy from one
form to another. Examples of transducers are: the
microphone, motors, speakers etc. Further examples of
transducers which will be examined in greater detail are
Light dependent resistors (LDR), thermistors
(temperature dependent resistors).
WHAT ARE TRANSDUCERS?
Transducers can be classified into two (2) main
categories:
Active transducers (e.g solar cells)
Passive transducers (e.g LDR, thermistor)
Active transducers are those which generates its own
electrical voltage during conversion, i.e. it does not
require any external battery supply to work.
Passive transducers are those which requires external
electrical power like a battery. It cannot generate its own
voltage or current. It only changes its resistance or
capacitance etc. during conversion.
TRANSDUCERS
LIGHT DEPENDENT RESISTOR (LDR)
A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is a resistor made
from semiconducting material in which electrons are
liberated when light shines on the surface of the
material. In bright light the resistance of the LDR (R
L
)
therefore decreases and in total darkness the resistance
of the LDR increases.
N.B In darkness, the only free electrons are those
shaken free by thermal vibrations of the atoms, so the
resistance of the LDR is very high.

LIGHT-DEPENDENT
RESISTOR(LDR)
This circuit consists of two or more resistors connected in
series with a supply voltage (V
s
) and with the output
voltage (V
out
) measured across a particular resistance in the
circuit. The output voltage (V
out
) is a fraction of the supply
voltage (V
s
).
The sum of the voltage drops in the circuit ( V=IR) is equal
to the supply voltage (Kirchhoff s Law).
The current supplied is the same in a series circuit (same
current flows through all resistances in circuit). This implies
that the output voltage (V
out
) is directly proportional to the
resistance, R, across which it measured (Ohms law).
V= IR, but I = constant
Therefore V R
POTENTIAL DIVIDER CIRCUIT
(RECALL)
LDR USED IN A POTENTIAL
DIVIDER
V
out
= (R
LDR
/ R
LDR
+ R) * V
in

Where R
LDR
= resistance of LDR
R= fixed resistance
V
in
= input or supply voltage
V
out
= Output voltage
LDR IN BRIGHT LIGHT
In bright light we know that the resistance of the LDR decreases,
so the output voltage is going to be low (V
out
= low) as shown in
fig. I. However, if we interchange R and R
LDR
the output voltage
becomes high (V
out
= high).

* In bright light, R
LDR
< R
They are used i n street l i ghts
Smoke detectors
Burglary al arms
PRACTICAL USES OF LDRS
A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is connected in series
with a 10k resistor and a 12V d.c. supply.
a) Draw a circuit diagram showing how you would
obtain the voltage across the LDR.
b) i) Calculate the potential difference ( p.d) across the
LDR (V
L
) when it is in the dark and has a resistance of
8M, and
ii) when it is in bright light, and its resistance is 500.
c) Calculate the resistance of the LDR in lighting
conditions which make V
L
= 4.0V
PRACTICE QUESTION
A thermistor is a device whose resistance varies
markedly with temperature. They may have either a
positive or negative temperature coefficient. A negative
temperature coefficient means that the resistance of the
thermistor (R
T
) increases with an decrease in
temperature. This means that the output p.d will rise as
the temperature falls. This rising p.d could be used to
trigger a frost alarm.


THERMISTOR (TEMP. DEPENDENT
RESISTOR)
THERMISTOR USED IN A POTENTIAL
DIVIDER
If the temperature of a thermistor decreases, its resistance (R
T
)
increases. This implies that the output voltage in a) increases.
However, if we interchange R and R
T
as in b), the output voltage
would decrease as temperature decreases.

At high temp, R
T
< R ; At low temp, R
T
>R
R
T

R
TEMP. CHARACTERISTIC CURVE
A thermi stor i s connected i n seri es to a 9V d. c source and a
fi xed resi stance of R= 5k. The thermi stor i s pl aced i n a
beaker of boi l ing water. Fi nd the output vol tage ( V
out
) across
the thermistor i f i ts temperature i s now equal to the temp. of
boi l ing water (100
o
C). (Hi nt: use temp. Characteristic curve)

Ans: V
out
= 1. 5V
PRACTICE QUESTION
Can be used to trigger frost alarms, where if the p.d
rises above a pre-set voltage value then the alarm would
indicate this breach.
May also be used to switch on a heater to maintain
temperature above a given limit.
PRACTICAL USES OF THERMISTORS
A semiconductor diode that emits light when a small
current passes through it. Like all diodes, they only
conduct in one direction (forward-biased). To avoid
damage, a protective resistor must be placed in series
with an LED to limit the current through it.


LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE(LED)
Relays are electromagnetic switches. It uses a small
current is to activate an electromagnet. A magnetic
field is then set up that attracts a soft -iron armature to
make and break contacts with a secondary circuit which
contains a load that operates at a much higher voltage
than that which is supplied at the inputs.


THE RELAY
The i nput ci rcui t can work on a l ow- vol tage supply and control
another ci rcui t on a hi gh- voltage (dangerous) supply.
Uses a smal l current to swi tch a l arge current i n another
ci rcuit wi thout any di rect el ectrical contact between them.
Rel ays can be used as l evel sensors
Used i n car i gni tion ci rcuit to swi tch on motors.
USES OF RELAY