The Advantages Of Using Hall Effect Sensors

Posted By : Aubrey Mead , on Aug, 2015


The advantage of having a variety of different sensors to choose from for any project or application is the practical aspects of one choice over another. One very common type of sensor used in proximity switching and speed detection is the Hall effect sensor, or sometimes just known as the Hall sensor.

In many applications, the Hall effect sensor operates as a switch. They are used to detect proximity in these types of applications. In computer equipment, such as keyboards, or to determine the absence of paper in a printer, a Hall effect sensor is an effective option. They can also be used to determine if doors or covers are open and signal to a display the state of the door or cover.

How They Work

The Hall effect sensor works on a magnetic field through which charged particles pass. When this happens, the magnetic field alters the path of the charged particles, creating negatively charged particles on one plane of the conductor to one side, and positively charged particles to the other.
Between the positive and negative planes of the magnetic field, there is a measurable voltage level. This is called the Hall voltage and includes both electricity and magnetism to create the movement. The more electricity and magnetism in the system, the more movement will occur and the bigger the change in voltage.

The Sensor and the Probe

To provide the measurement of the difference of the voltage, a Hall effect sensor or a Hall effect probe. For typical operation in transducers and other electronics, typically a Hall effect sensor is all that is needed. This is a small electronic chip that can be used to detect position, speed and proximity.

A Hall effect probe is more sophisticated and typically reserved for use in laboratories, for testing purposes, and for research. They are much more expensive and cost prohibitive to use in most consumer applications.

The Advantage

There are several advantages to a Hall effect sensor over a typical switch. Since the magnetic fields can be measured, this is not just an “on” or “off” type of sensor so it is possible in research and with very specific types of equipment to sense degrees of alignment. This is essential in some motors, specifically in the positioning of the rotors.

The Hall effect sensor has very practical applications in a wide variety of both highly specific equipment, such as laboratory testing equipment, as well as in computers, electronics and motors.

To learn more about the designs and options in Hall effect sensor models, visit our website. You can find us online at Gopher Electronics by simply clicking on

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