A capacitor is a two-terminal device that consists of two conducting bodies separated by a non-conducting (dielectric) material. Below is a simple capacitor consisting of two plates.
To create a more usable geometry for sensors, the electrodes can be arranged in various ways. Though this complicates the above expression for capacitance, the overall relationship between the variables remains the same. Picture below, the electrodes are arranged on the same plane. This can be achieved in numerous ways. The electric field is projected away from the electrodes.
If the dielectric remains constant, the capacitance will remain constant too. Hence the dielectric changes, the capacitance naturally also changes. In capacitive proximity sensors, these two electrodes are coupled together and integrated into a high-frequency oscillator. In the “no target” state, the oscillator is tuned to be resting. As a target enters the electric field, increasing the capacitance, oscillation begins. When the amplitude reaches a high enough level, a change in signal state is triggered.
Two main families of electrode configurations are utilized for standard applications:
Dielectric Type (D-Type)
Capacitive proximity sensors are configured as shown previously, with two sensing electrodes integrated into the oscillator. The sensing field projects away from the sensor face and the entrance of any object into the sensing field will increase the capacitance, resulting in oscillation. Such sensors will detect all materials, insulative or conductive. These sensors are often called “shielded,” and they may be flush mounted.
Conductive Type (L-Type)
Capacitive proximity sensors are configured with only one sensing electrode integrated with the oscillator. The entrance of a conductive material into the field provides the second coupling electrode, which then causes oscillation. Such sensors are excellent for “looking through” an insulative material such as rubber, glass, or paper to detect a conductive material such as water or metal. These sensors are often called “unshielded,” and they may not be flush mounted.
Some Capacitance Level Switch brand like GEMS has also incorporated a compensation electrode in all capacitive prox products. This electrode is integrated into the oscillator and is designed to detect contaminating elements only. Once a build-up of contaminants is detected, the effect is compensated to avoid false triggering. The ability of an electrode configuration to sense great distances is a function of the material being sensed. Sensing conductive materials results in the maximum sensing distance capabilities of any capacitive proximity sensor. The sensing capabilities for dielectric materials is a function of the dielectric constant of the material and the mass of material within the sensing field. A sensing distance reduction factor needs to be applied to such materials.
