There is a group of electronic devices known as electromechanical sensors and actuators. These devices are responsible for turning sounds into electrical currents. There are four main devices, referenced below, along with their functions and technologies.
Microphone. A transducer is an electrical device that converts one type of energy to another. A microphone is an acoustic to electric transducer, for the purpose of converting sound into an electrical signal. The microphone captures information from the air and then translates it into electrical information. Microphones are used in a variety of applications including telephones, hearing aids, radio and television broadcasting, audio engineering, and computers. The most commonly used microphones today are condenser microphones and dynamic microphones.
Loudspeaker. The loud speaker is somewhat the reverse of a microphone. Instead of converting sound into electronic signals, it converts electronic signals into sound. Loud speakers are electromechanical transducers. A traditional loudspeaker uses a cone, a fine coil of wire, magnets, and a support structure. When an electrical signal is applied to the coil, it begins to vibrate which turns the magnet into an electromagnet, which creates vibrations in the cone. There are several types of loudspeakers including tweeters, woofers and sub-woofers, and mid-range and full-range speakers. Home audio systems use a combination of two or more different types of units.
Strain Gauge. Strain gauges are electromechanical devices that measure strain, or deformation, of an object. Gauges are attached to objects and measure deformation in the form of its electrical resistance to change. Many different types of gauges are used in different situation, all with their own requirements.
Switch. Switches are electromechanical devices that change the course or flow of an electric current. There are many types of switches. Manual switches have largely been replaced by computer-controlled automated types. There are many different styles of switches used in everything from electric power to telecommunications. Switches function by using “logic gates” which enable a series of switches to be used to control electronic devices.
By: Angela Oliver