Position sensing Type

When an application requires the end position of a movement sensed, or the sensing of a part when it comes into a zone, or when the movement of a part as it crosses an intermediary point, or when a part moves away from a zone, it is classified as a Position Sensing Application.
The best practice is to use a reed switch or a reed sensor on the fixed surface, with the magnet on the moving surface. Both normally open, normally closed or latching devices are suitable for position sensing. Provided the sensing circuit is low in the range of milli-amperes, this combination achieves error free operation for millions of operations and is also cost effective.
As the moving part with the magnet approaches the stationary part, the reed sensor or the reed switch gets actuated. This distance depends on its Operate AT band. When the moving part moves away, the reed sensor or the reed switch opens, and this distance depends on its Release AT band. The opening distance and and closing distance is highly repeatable. More information on actuating positional actuation of reed switches is available here.
Reed Switch based Vibration Switches, Inclination Switches, Pressure Switches, Float Switches and Flow Switches use these basic position sensing principles to function. The variations in the type of sensing for vibration, inclination, pressure or flow, are achieved by changes in the mechanical design of the assembly with regards to how the magnet moves to and from the reed switch.
As Reed Switches are hermetically sealed, they are immune to dust and moisture, and can safely be used in liquid level sensing applications even in explosive liquids such as fuel. Apart from tank full or empty levels that can be sensed, the actual volume of a liquid present in a tank can also be determined by combining reed switches with a simple resistance matrix to generate a potentiometeric two wire output.
Although position sensing for such applications can also be be achieved by using active devices like Hall effect sensors, Reed Switches and Reed Sensors, are passive devices that do not drain the batteries, they have the imperative advantage of using no power at all for operation, and have no leakage current across the contacts. More information on the advantages of Reed based products over Hall-effect devices is available.
Example Applications
Magnet Sensors for Two Wheeler and E-Bike Side Stand Sensing
![]() | Side stand Motorcycles, Scooters and other motorized E-bikes have a side stand and a main stand under the chassis. A quick and easy Continue reading Feb 17, 2022 |
Float Switches in Portable Air Conditioners
![]() | Portable Cooler Air Conditioners remove heat and moisture from an occupied space thereby improving the comfort of the occupants. The Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Reed sensors for detecting Ignition Key
![]() | Automobile Key The Ignition key on an automobile comes in two types, a manual key or a start button as is the case in the newer Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed Sensors to Prevent Thievery in Cargo Containers
![]() | Containerized Cargo Cargo theft is an international problem and hundreds of millions of dollars of goods are lost due to pilferage and Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed Sensors in Pediatric Feeding tubes
![]() | Pediatric Feeding Tube Pediatric Feeding tubes are used by nursing homes and hospitals on babies and young children, in an intensive Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Reed Sensors in Hotel Security Card Readers
![]() | Hotel Keycard Slot In most hotels, the most secure method to prevent unauthorized entry and allow only the guest to enter a room is by Continue reading Nov 18, 2020 |
Reed sensors in Automobile Sun Visors
![]() | Automobile Sun Visor Automobiles are fitted with visors that can be swiveled downwards and outwards to block the sun from the driver or Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed Sensors in Electric Car Chargers
![]() | Electric Car Charging Station Electrical cars are designed to have a range of 250-300 kilometers on a full charge. To ensure that the Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches and Reed Sensors in Barcode Scanners
![]() | Barcode scanners in supermarkets can be clicked on to a docking system that is integrated with the check-out conveyor belt. This helps Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Reed Sensors for Early Brake Sensing
![]() | Automobile Brake Pedal The Brake pedal of an automobile is a very important aspect of the vehicle which is used to give an indication Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed Switches in Exhaust Emissions Sensing
![]() | Automobile Exhaust Pollution, greenhouse gases and smog play a large role in global warming and it is most important to ensure that Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches in Lightsabers
![]() | Light Saber Light Sabers are weapons used by the Jedi and the Sith, in the fictional Star Wars Universe, set in a galaxy far, far, Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Magnet sensors in Top-loading washing machines
![]() | Top-loading Washing Machine Traditional top-loading Washing Machines have some advantages over the front-loading ones. One does not Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Magnet sensors in Hospital Electric Beds
![]() | Hospital Electric Bed Lets face it, no one likes to get into an accident or fall sick and get admitted in a hospital! But there are Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Reed Switches and Reed sensors in Canal Hearing Aids
![]() | In-canal Hearing Aid As widely known, Hearing Aids are devices designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Reed switches in Transformer tap changers
![]() | Transformer A transformer tap changer is an in-built mechanism which allows for variable turn ratios to be selected that changes the Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Magnet sensors for Bridge control in Airports
![]() | Airplane Bridge The bridge control operator needs to steer the bridge towards the airplane door for docking. The bridge controller is Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches in Gear speed and direction sensing
![]() | Gears Mechanical machinery always have a set of manual controls that not only direct the machinery between a forward and reverse Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Magnet sensors in End position sensing in Cylinders and Pistons
![]() | Linear Actuator In industrial automation, cost effectiveness is the key to running a successful operation in today's world of Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Magnet sensors in Musical Greeting Cards
![]() | Greeting Card Even in the digital age of Smart phones, people do like to mail out or hand over greeting cards taped to gifts, to Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed sensors in Radio-controlled Gliders and model Airplanes
![]() | Model Airplane Radio controlled aircrafts, gliders and helicopters come in various sizes from simple ones with few controls to more Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches and Reed sensors in Lap counter in slot car racing tracks
![]() | Slot Car Racing Slot car racing (also called slot racing) is a competitive hobby of racing with powered miniature autos which are Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches in LEGO Sensors
![]() | Lego Mindstorms Lego Mindstorms is a hobby kit developed and manufactured by Lego for building programmable robots that use a Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches in Magnet Extensometers
![]() | Extensometer Whenever there is a deep excavation that is done prior to construction, the excavation has to be monitored prior to Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches and Float switches in Water tank control
![]() | Water tank control Water is a scarcity in most of the major cities of the world, and in residences and apartments where an overhead Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Magnet sensors in Adjustable Chairs
![]() | Adjustable Chair Motorized chairs are used in dentists offices and hair-cutting salons, the latter being the more pleasing! The dentist Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches in Blowers
![]() | Blower Blowers or centrifugal fans are used in various fields to move air or other gases from one area to another, either to vacuum or Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed sensors in Emergency lamp holders
![]() | Emergency Lamps Emergency lamps are rechargeable battery powered lamp that automatically turn on when there is a mains power outage. Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Magnet sensors in End position sensing in hoists and fork lifts
![]() | Fork Lift Hoists and Fork Lifts are used to transport materials over short distances, mostly for loading and unloading in to container Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches in Floor detection in Elevators and Lifts
![]() | Elevator Most people are aware of Elevators, or lifts, as they are called in certain areas of the world. The electrical motors in Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Magnet Sensors for Door and window Security
![]() | Door/Window Security Home and Workspace security is paramount and most newly constructed spaces integrate security products during Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Reed switches in liquid detection probes
![]() | Liquid Detection Probe Bore holes in the ground are bored or drilled for various purposes, primarily for drawing out water, gases or Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed sensors in Wind Vanes
![]() | Wind Vane A weather vane is an instrument used to show the direction of the wind. A regular weather vane usually consists of a pointer Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches and Reed sensors in Pressure Gauges
![]() | Pressure Gauge A pressure gauge is an instrument used to display the pressure of a fluid. The most widely used type of pressure gauge Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed sensors in Accurate level sensing of fluids
![]() | Fuel Gauge In ships and yachts, it is not only necessary to monitor the exact volume of fuel, but also the volume of the sewage and the Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed sensors in Rowing Electronics
![]() | Row Boat Rowing electronics are useful for tracking rowing information, both in actual competitive rowing as well as in rowing machines Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Magnet sensors for Anchor, Rudder, and Hatch position detection
![]() | Boat Hatch Conventional and recreational sailing craft derive power from sails, and the sailor adjusts the alignment of each sail, Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed sensors used in Fuel cap position sensing
![]() | Automobile fuel cap open A dashboard or an instrument panel located in front of the automobile driver and displays instrumentation and Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Magnet sensors in Hydraulic arm position sensing
![]() | Hydraulic Arm Bulldozers, Earth Movers, Tractors, Fork Lifts and Garbage Compactor trucks use hydraulics to move cylinders and pistons Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches in Coolant flow sensing
![]() | Radiator Coolant A coolant is a fluid, that is used to reduce or regulate the temperature of a system, like an engine through a Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches in Defective lamp detection
![]() | Automobile Lamp Automobiles these days provide a wide range of information ranging from door and window position, wind screen viper Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed sensors for Two Wheeler and E-Bike Brake Sensing
![]() | Motorbike throttle Motor bikes and other two wheelers normally use plunger type switches for detecting depression of the front and rear Continue reading Feb 17, 2022 |
Magnet sensors in Low fluid level monitoring
![]() | Fluid Low Level Automobiles these days need to provide a wide range of information on the various liquid levels ranging from wind Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Accidental airbag deployment prevention
![]() | Airbag deployment The airbag module is designed to inflate extremely rapidly then quickly deflate during a collision or a rapid sudden Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed sensors in Accurate fuel level sensing
![]() | Fuel Level Automobile fuel gauges are used to display the volume of fuel in the tank. These gauges require a potentiomteric feedback Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches as Impact sensors for triggering airbags
![]() | Airbags Statistics say almost 80% of automobiles use reed switch based crash sensors for triggering airbags. A ring magnet is mounted Continue reading Nov 7, 2020 |
Reed switches and Reed sensors in Sewing machine pedals
![]() | Sewing Machine Sewing machines help stitch fabric, leather or other synthetic materials by using a needle and two thread feeders. In Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Reed switches in Washing machine vibration detection
![]() | Washing Machine Reed Switches are used in bi-directional vibration sensors. These sensors are used in Washing machines to detect Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Reed sensors in Electric Toothbrushes
![]() | Electric Toothbrush Electric toothbrushes are designed to make the brush head and bristles move in rapid motions, either in a Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |
Magnet sensors for Dish Washer spray arm jam detection
![]() | Dishwasher Dish Washers are appliances used to automatically wash dishes and cutlery, by spraying high pressure hot water and Continue reading Nov 6, 2020 |