Magnetic sensors – find manufacturers and suppliers

Magnetic sensors are devices that detect magnetic fields or changes in magnetic field strengths and convert them into an evaluable electrical signal.

They therefore enable the contactless detection of position, movement, speed, current or the presence of metallic or magnetic objects. Magnetic sensors have become indispensable in modern electronics, automation, vehicle technology and medical technology.

Below you will find the functionality and types of magnetic sensors, their use as well as their advantages, challenges and limitations:

How magnetic sensors work:

Magnetic sensors are based on the fact that a magnetic field influences the electrical or physical properties of a material.
This change is measured and output as an electrical signal.

Depending on the sensor type, different physical effects are used:

1. Change in electrical voltage or current due to a magnetic field.
2. Change in the electrical resistance of a material.
3. Mechanical movement of a contact or structure due to magnetic forces.

The sensor signal can be analog or digital and provides information about the field strength, direction, polarity or temporal change of the magnetic field.

The most important types of magnetic sensors:

1. Hall sensors:
   Hall sensors use the Hall effect, in which a transverse voltage is formed in a current-carrying conductor under the influence of a magnetic field.
   They can detect magnetic fields, measure speeds and positions and work as switches (digital) or measuring sensors (analog).
   Hall sensors are very robust and are among the most commonly used magnetic sensors.
2. Magnetoresistive sensors:
   These sensors are based on the change in the electrical resistance of a material as a function of the magnetic field.
   Important subtypes are:
   AMR (Anisotropic magnetoresistive effect)
   GMR (Giant magnetoresistive effect)
   TMR (Tunnel magnetoresistive effect)
   They are significantly more sensitive than Hall sensors and enable precise angle, position and current measurements.
3. Reed sensors:
   Reed sensors consist of two ferromagnetic contacts in a glass tube that close or open in the presence of a magnetic field.
   Typical properties:
   Mechanical switching contact
   Very low power consumption
   Simple design
   They are often used as non-contact switches.
4. Fluxgate sensors:
   Fluxgate sensors measure very small magnetic fields, in particular the earth's magnetic field.
   They are characterized by very high sensitivity and good stability.
   Areas of application include navigation, geophysics and space travel.
5. Inductive magnetic sensors:
   These sensors detect changes in a magnetic field due to eddy currents or inductance changes.
   They are insensitive to dirt and oil and are therefore particularly suitable for industrial environments.
6. Magneto-inductive and magnetostrictive sensors:
   These special forms utilize changes in inductance or mechanical deformations in magnetic materials.
   They are often used for displacement and position measurements or linear position sensors in hydraulic cylinders.

Use of magnetic sensors:

Magnetic sensors are used in a great many areas:

1. Automotive engineering:
Speed and crankshaft sensors, steering angle sensors, ABS systems

2. industrial automation:
End position detection, position measurement, speed detection

3. Consumer goods:
Smartphones (compass), tablets, wearables

4. Medical technology:
Position monitoring, medical devices with non-contact measurement

5. Energy and power electronics:
Current measurement without galvanic isolation

6. Security technology:
Door and window sensors, alarm systems

Advantages of magnetic sensors:

• Non-contact measurement therefore no mechanical wear and long service life.
• Also work in dusty, oily or damp environments.
• Can be used for position, speed, angle, current or presence detection.
• Suitable for fast movements and rotating systems due to high switching frequencies.
• Ideal for miniaturization and integration into electronic systems.
• Low energy consumption. Particularly important for battery-operated devices

Challenges and limitations of magnetic sensors:

• Sensitivity to strong external magnetic fields.
• Partially temperature-dependent.
• Need for careful magnet and sensor design.

However, these points can be easily mastered with suitable sensor types, calibration and shielding.

Magnetic sensors are highly flexible and robust sensors for the non-contact detection of magnetic fields and the variables derived from them, such as position, speed or current. Different physical effects - from the Hall effect to magnetoresistive technologies - enable solutions for almost any application. Thanks to their reliability, durability and versatility, magnetic sensors are now indispensable components in the automotive industry, industrial automation, medical technology and consumer appliances.

Here you will find an overview of the most important points to consider when purchasing magnetic sensors:

Magnetic sensors are key components in automation, vehicle, medical and power electronics. They enable the contactless detection of the position, speed, angle, current or presence of objects. When purchasing magnetic sensors professionally, it is not enough to simply look at the price or the sensor type. A well-founded selection requires a precise analysis of the application, the ambient conditions, the electrical interfaces and the long-term availability and quality. Errors in the selection process can lead to measurement inaccuracies, malfunctions or high follow-up costs.

• The first step is to clearly define the measurement task. Magnetic sensors can detect very different variables, such as the presence of a magnet, the position of a component, the angle of rotation of a shaft or the current in a conductor.
• The more precisely the measured variable is defined, the more precisely the appropriate sensor type can be selected.
• A simple reed or digital Hall sensor is sufficient for a pure switching function, while precise angle or position measurements require magnetoresistive sensors.
• The choice of sensor technology has a major influence on accuracy, robustness and costs.
• Hall sensors are robust and inexpensive, but have a lower sensitivity.
• Magnetoresistive sensors offer significantly higher resolution and precision, but are more expensive and more sensitive to interference fields.
• Reed sensors are mechanically simple, but have a limited service life with frequent switching.
• Fluxgate sensors are suitable for very small magnetic fields or navigation applications.
• The sensitivity must match the application: Too high sensitivity can lead to incorrect measurements, too low sensitivity to unreliable signals.
• A professional magnetic sensor must reliably cover the relevant magnetic field range. The decisive factors here are
• Maximum and minimum measurable field strength.
• Resolution for small field changes.
• Absolute and relative accuracy.
• For industrial position detection or current measurement, a stable, reproducible measurement is often more important than the highest theoretical resolution.
• Magnetic sensors react sensitively to environmental influences. The real operating conditions must be taken into account when purchasing:
• Operating temperature and temperature drift.
• Moisture, dust, oil or chemicals.
• Mechanical vibrations and shock loads.
• Electromagnetic interference fields.
• In harsh industrial or automotive environments, sensors with an extended temperature range and high degree of protection are required.
• The sensor alone is not enough - the entire system consisting of sensor and magnet must be considered. Important points are:
• Type, size and magnetization of the magnet used.
• Distance and alignment between magnet and sensor.
• Mechanical tolerances and mounting options.
• An inadequately matched magnet/sensor combination is one of the most common causes of measurement problems.
• The sensor must be electrically compatible with the system architecture. The decisive factors are:
• Analog or digital output signal.
• Switching output, PWM, I²C, SPI, CAN or other bus systems.
• Supply voltage and current consumption.
• Standardized interfaces and clear diagnostic functions are particularly important in safety-critical or industrial applications.
• Magnetic sensors often work in environments with motors, power electronics or high-current lines.
• The sensor must be sufficiently resistant to electromagnetic interference.
• Good EMC resistance reduces incorrect measurements and increases system reliability.
• Long-term stability is crucial for precise applications. Professional purchasers should check:
• Whether the sensor is factory calibrated.
• How strong the temperature and ageing drift is.
• Whether recalibration is possible or necessary.
• Stable measurement characteristics over many years are essential, especially for series products or safety-relevant applications.
• Depending on the area of application, magnetic sensors must comply with certain standards, such as
• Automotive standards.
• Industrial and EMC standards.
• Explosion protection for special environments.
• Missing approvals can considerably delay series release or use.
• Professional purchasing also takes organizational aspects into account:
• Experience and market position of the manufacturer.
• Long-term delivery capability and product availability.
• Quality of documentation and application support.
• For series products in particular, a stable supplier is more important than the lowest unit price.
• Purchasing should not only consider the purchase price, but also the entire life cycle costs. This includes
• Development and integration costs.
• Calibration and maintenance.
• Failure risks and spare parts costs.
• A higher-quality sensor can be more economical in the long term than a cheap but unstable solution.

Professional purchasing of magnetic sensors requires a systematic and application-oriented approach. In addition to the sensor technology, the measuring range, accuracy, environmental conditions, electrical interfaces and mechanical integration play a decisive role. Equally important are manufacturer quality, conformity to standards and long-term availability. A carefully selected magnetic sensor increases the reliability, precision and service life of the entire system and reduces follow-up costs due to incorrect measurements or failures. Those who clearly define the requirements and consider the sensor as part of an overall system make sustainable and economically sensible decisions.

Magnetic sensors can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Magnetic sensors from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.