Proximity sensors
Regular infrared sensors have a transmitter and a receiver, and whenever there is an object in front of the transmitted ray it bounces back and is received by the receiver. This creates a voltage level across the terminal. KEMET's Pyroelectric Infrared Sensors take advantage of ceramic’s pyroelectric effect by absorbing the infrared rays emitted from the human body. This allows the sensors to detect the infrared signature naturally emitted by humans. The important feature here is saving on energy usage, as a proximity sensor only turns on when there is a person in its perimeter.
Pyro switches: Hidden IR detection
KEMET’s pyroelectric sensors are an interesting device that allows you to detect the presence of a person while hiding the sensor from view. This property works well when you want to create an otherwise static poster into an animated one. For a simple solution, KEMET uses an LED, a microcontroller Arduino, and the SS-430 IR Pyroelectric Sensor.
Thermal switches: If it’s not Thermorite®, then it’s thermo-wrong
KEMET’s thermal switches are available in various voltage ratings, form factors, and trip points. They also come in normally open or normally closed configurations. So use KEMET’s thermal switches and you might find that you don’t have to put in a microcontroller just to turn on a cooling fan. With the introduction of the TRS-P type of switch you can now just screw the sensor into a radiator or other thermal manifolds using standard threading, making the mechanical part of a solution very easy.
Which thermal sensor to choose?
Thermal sensors are used in a variety of applications and play an important role in electronics to maintain stable operation by monitoring temperature to detect abnormal temperatures. KEMET offers TRS series and OHD series thermal sensors based on thermo ferrite and reed switch using KEMET’s original Thermorite material, which can be used as a low-cost thermal switch solution. Read this application note to learn about the different types of thermal sensor technology and KEMET’s thermal sensor construction, operation principles, and suitable applications.
Pyroelectric sensors for motion, gas, food, or flame
As electronic devices become increasingly automated, reliability and safety are of utmost importance. Ensuring those devices work properly is often done through the use of pyroelectric sensors, which indicate a change that requires a specific type of reaction. Sensors help bring peace-of-mind to many small yet important operations that impact our daily lives. Whether they are being used in garage doors or fire detectors, pyroelectric sensors help guarantee trustworthy devices at home. They can be used in a host of applications utilizing the same basic underlying technology that relies on the pyroelectric effect.
KEMET’s Pyroelectric Infrared (IR) Sensors take advantage of the pyroelectric effect of ceramic materials that absorb infrared rays and generate an electrical signal response to them. KEMET’s sensors are highly sensitive and suited for a vast number of applications.
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