Sensors: they have you surrounded. The motion light outside your warehouse, your camera, the linear actuators on your industrial machines, your lab instruments and even the anti-lock breaking system on your Ford Explorer, all rely on various types of sensors.

There is overlap between sensor categories.

1. Color sensors have lab applications and help with quality control and sorting in factories.

2. Fluid sensors either continuously let us know how much fluid is in a tank or they alert us when the level reaches extreme lows or highs.

3. Displacement sensors are measurement sensors or control or detect the variable distance between two objects, which works well for machine parts.

4. Force sensors detect compression, tension and shear.

5. Image sensors contain CCD or CMOS technology, useful for cameras, video recorders and industrial quality control.

6. Gas sensors detect and sometimes analyze gas concentrations.

7. Photoelectric sensors have uses in motion detectors, garage door safety and as position sensors.

8. Humidity sensors help control work environments.

9. Tilt sensors detect single and multi-directional tilt.

10. UV sensors monitor industrial equipment while IR sensors are motion sensors and serve night vision equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate color sensors for packaging processes and quality control

Color sensors can help you keep the outward appearance of your products consistent and appealing by checking package print as well as, for instance, consistency in beverage color. Secondly, when you use color sensors to check seal skirt or lining length and other seal quality checks, these sensors can play a role in making sure what's inside stays fresh.

I recommend: IDEC has a color sensor among its line of sensor products that uses the red, green, blue (RGB) color model. The sensor is three-channel and the device has three independent outputs. Avago Technologies is another source that has several RGB products, including four-channel color sensors.

Buy linear displacement transducers as sensors to control machine movement

Displacement transducers come in various forms, but they commonly consist of a tube-like body with a sliding armature inside. This type of industrial sensor will help control machine movements.

I recommend: RDP Group carries transducer-type miniature displacement sensors that are stainless steel, durable and highly accurate. Omega has a large selection of displacement transducers, including long-stroke, miniature and some economical models. If you need a sub-miniature or micro displacement sensor, head to MicroStrain. They have sensors so small, their pictures include pennies for scale.

Invest in an auto alarm tilt sensor

A car alarm tilt sensor will remember the angle your car is at when you park it and trigger an alert when that angle changes. Even though the basic models of these sensors are not expensive, it can still pay to shop around for the best auto tilt sensor price.

I recommend: Car Toys sells the Clifford 1 tilt motion sensor for cars, which is a basic model compared to the 507M or G5, which are offered on many British websites. But the surest and most direct route is to head to Clifford itself.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Calibration sensors require the input of a variable or an electrical signal to calibrate to your specific application.
• •  Speed sensors serve as speedometers but also test the rotational speed of motors.
• •  Laser sensors make great measuring devices. They are precise, non-contact and make measuring fast and easy.