Lecture - 6 - Capacitance Transducer

Capacitance Transducers
Capacitance is a function of effective area of conductor, the

separation between the conductors and the dielectric strength of
the material
Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

ELCT903,S ensor Technology
Electronics and Electrical Engineering Department
A change in capacitance can be by varying any of the following parameters
- Changing the distance between the two parallel electrodes. d
- Changing the dielectric constant, permittivity, of the dielectric medium ε
- Changing the area of the electrode. A
The ratio of the amount of charge stored on one of the plates to the amount
of voltage across the capacitor is the capacitance
The capacitance is directly proportional to the area of plates and inversely

proportional to the distance between them
εA
C=
d

ELCT903, Sensor Technology
The constant of proportionality ε
is known as the permittivity is a function of the
type of material separating the plates
For a capacitance with insulating material, the capacitance between the plates:-
ε rε 0 A
C= farad
d
ε r = dielectric constant of the insulating medium ( air ε r = 1)
ε 0 = permittivity of air or free space (8.85 X 10 F/m)
-12
A = overlapping area in plates m2

d = distance between electrodes or plates

Variable capacitance transducers have applications in the area of liquid level
measurement. In chemical plants and in situations where nonconductors are
required
∆C εA
∆C can be represented as =− 2
∆d d
∆C ∆C εA
= = − 2 ∆d
C εA d
∆C ∆d
=− d
C d
∆C ∆C εA d
∆C ∆A = =− 2⋅ ∆d
= C εA d εA
C A
d
∆C ∆d
=−
C d

1- Capacitance Transducers using change in distance between plates
Capacitance change due to plate separation
The right plate is fixed and the left plate is movable by the displacement that is to
be measured
ε rε 0 A
C=
d
If air is the dielectric medium, then εr =1
The capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between plates
The overall response of the transducer is not linear. Transducers of this type are
used for the measurement of extremely small displacements where the
relationship is approximately linear
Variation of capacitance with distance

The sensitivity factor is expressed as
∆C ∆d
=−
C d
∆ dC
∆C = −
d
∂C − ε r ε 0 A
S= =
∂d d2

2- Capacitance Transducers Using change in area of plates
For parallel plate capacitors , the capacitance is
ε rε 0 A ε rε 0 LW
C= =
d d
L = overlapping part of plates

W = width of overlapping part of plates
For air, εr =1 the sensitivity of the capacitance transducer becomes
∂C ε r ε 0W
S= = Farads per meter
∂l d

There is a linear relationship between displacement and the capacitance. The
equations showed that:
The capacitance is directly proportional to the area of the plates and varies
linearly with changes in the displacement between the plates
Transducers of this type are used for the measurement of relatively large
displacements

Capacitance Variation by Change in Area
3- Capacitance Transducers Using change in Area ( Cylindrical Shapes)
A cylindrical capacitor consists of two coaxial cylinders with the outer radius of
the inner cylinder defined as D1, the inner radius of the outside cylinder as D2
and the length as L
Change in area based on cylindrical shapes

by evaluating the voltage difference between
the conductors
q
E=
2πεr
Where q = charge /unit length Q
C=
V
the voltage between the cylinders can be found by integrating the
electric field
D2
2
q
∆V = Edr
2πε D1
2

D2
2
q 1
∆V = dr
2πε D1 r
2
D2
q
∆V = ln 2
2πε D1
2

q q 1
∆C = = ⋅
∆V q D2
ln
2πε D1
2πε
C= ⋅L
D2
ln
D1
2πεrε 0 L
The capacitance is computed as C=
D2
ln
D1

4- Capacitance Transducers for angular Rotation
The basic principle of change in area can also be used for rotational measurement
One plate is fixed and the other is movable
The angular displacement to be measured is applied to the movable plate.
Angular rotation of plates

Capacitance Variation on Rotation

The minimum value of the capacitance is
εA πr 2 / 2
C= = ε rε 0
d d
The capacitance at angle θ is
θ r2
C = ε rε 0 Farads (angular displacement θ is in radians)
2 d

0.
The relation ship is linear and the maximum angular displacement is 180
The sensitivity is calculated as
∂C ε r ε 0 2
S= = r
∂θ 2d

5- Capacitance Transducers using Variation of Dielectric Constant
The principal is , change in capacitance caused by change in dielectric constant of

the separating material
Two plate separated by a material of different

Dielectric constant

The figure shows that; As this material is moved, it causes a variation of dielectric
constant in the region separating the two electrodes, resulting in a change in
capacitance
As the material moves a distance X , the distance l1 decreases and l2 increases
the capacitance value for a dielectric material of thickness d and width w
ε rε 0 wl1 ε rε 0 wl2
C= +
d d
ε0w
C= {l1 + ε r l2 }
d

The equation has two terms
- One represents the capacitance of the two electrodes separated by air
- The other represents the capacitance of the dielectric material between the
electrodes

If the dielectric material is moved through a distance X, the capacitance
increases from C + ∆ C and is shown as
ε 0w
C + ∆C = {l1 − x + ε r (l2 + x)}
d
ε 0w
C + ∆C = {l1 + ε r l2 + x(ε r −1)}
d
ε 0 wx(ε r −1)
∆C =
d
6- Capacitance Transducers Based on Differential Arrangement
Differential capacitance transducers are used for precision displacement

measurement
Differential arrangement of plates

Let C1 and C2 be the capacitances of the two plates that are fixed. Plate m is
midway between the two plates.
An alternating voltage E is applied across the plates P1 and P2 and the potential
difference is measured
Assume that ε = ε rε 0
εA εA
C1 = , C2
d d

Voltage across C1 and C2
EC2 E EC1 E
E1 = = E2 = =
C1 + C2 2 C1 + C2 2
At the midway point E1 - E2 is zero
If X is the displacement of the movable plate, then
εA εA
C1 = , C2
d+x d−x

The differential output voltage is
∆E = E1 − E2 =
(d + x)
E−
(d − x)
E
2d 2d
x
∆E = E
d
The output voltage varies linearly with displacement X
The application for use in the range of 0.001 mm to 10mm and provide accuracy
up to 0.05%

The sensitivity of the transducer is
∆E E
S= =
x d
A capacitive transducer is a displacement sensitive transducer. A suitable
processing circuit is necessary to generate a voltage corresponding to the
capacitance change.
General losses in the capacitance are attributed to:-
- DC leakage resistance
- dielectric losses in the insulators
- losses in the dielectric gap

Advantages
-Require small force to operate
- very sensitive
-Require low power to operate.
-Their frequency response is good up to 50kHz
-Disadvantages
- the need to insulate metallic parts from each other
- loss of sensitivity due to error sources associated with the cable
connecting the transducer to the measuring point.

7 – Capacitive Gap
- A capacitive gap sensor measures the distance between the front face
of the sensor and a target object.
The target material should have high relative permittivity

ε⋅A
C=
d
ε = εr ⋅εo
ε r = the dielectric constant of the medium separating the sensor and the
target material
A = the area of the plates
d = the distance to be measured
There is a defined relation ship between the distance (gap ) and the
capacitance.
The dielectric constant ε

r between the sensor head and the target
material is a function of the target material type

q1 ⋅ q2
F = Ke 2
r
F = the force between the two

charged particles q1 , q2
Ke =
1
(4π ⋅ ε o )
= 8.9875.109 Nm2
C 2 [ ]
= Coulomb constant
since the net capacitance is a function of the target material, the effective
distance varies with different target material types.
- An excitation circuit for the sensor works to maintain a constant electric field
magnitude between the sensor head and the target object.

-The capacitive sensors provide only two state ON/OFF output, and sense the
change in the oscillation circuit signal amplitude.
-When the target object enters the field sensing distance of the sensor, the
capacitance increases and the magnitude of the oscillations increases.
-A detection and output circuit then controls the ON/OFF state of a transistor.
-The resolution of the capacitive cap sensor is typically in micrometer range.

Applications for Capacitive Sensors
Precision Spindle Error Motion (Run out)

Precision spindles in disk drives and high-performance machine tools are achieving
error motions of less than 100 nanometers.
The only way to properly measure the error motion of these spindles is when they are at
full speed. This is a perfect application for capacitive sensing technology because of
inductive sensors’ rotating target errors (electrical run out) when measuring ferrous
targets.
In the machine tool application, Two probes each are mounted in the X and Y plane (90
apart).
While the spindle rotates at operational speeds the outputs of the two channels are
viewed on an oscilloscope or analyzed by computer software.
When using an oscilloscope, the X channel is used to drive the horizontal axis and the Y
channel is used to drive the vertical axis. This creates a lissajous pattern. The size and
shape of the pattern gives indication of the amount and nature of the error motion of the
spindle.
Error motions of high precision spindles are
measured by capacitive probes in all three axes.
Driving the horizontal and vertical axes of an
oscilloscope with the X and Y outputs indicates the
motions of the rotating target.
For detailed analysis, computer software is required to calculate measurements for

synchronous error motion (run out) and asynchronous error motion (non repeating
Run out NRR).

Rotor to Stator Gap (Embedded Sensors)
Stator to rotor gap can be a critical dimension in precision rotating devices such as air
bearings and magnetic bearings. Capacitive probes can be designed to be embedded
in the wall of the stators and monitor the position of the rotor.
Embedded capacitive probes monitor rotor

motion in air bearings and magnetic bearings.
Nonconductive Material Thickness
Because capacitive sensors are sensitive to gap material they are effective at measuring
nonconductive targets. Assuming that the composition and density of a nonconductive
material are constant, changes in thickness can be measured by capacitive
sensors.
The electric field from the sensing area of a capacitive probe must eventually
return to ground.
Nonconductors by definition cannot provide a ground. Nonconductive measurement is

usually performed while the target material is between the probe and a grounded
reference.
The gap between the probe and the grounded reference must be kept constant. Any
change in that gap will appear as changes in the thickness of the target material.

A nonconductive target can be measured
against a conductive surface but the
conductive surface must remain stationary.

-In some applications, measurements of nonconductive targets can be
made without the grounded reference target.
-The electric field from the probe wraps back to the grounded outside shell of the
probe or the fixturing that is holding it.
Using a fringe field to sense a non-conductor

without a conductive back plate.
As the nonconductive target nears the probe it interacts with the electric field causing
a change in the output.
But in this case the output will change in response to either changing thickness or
changing position of the material.
For measuring thickness, the gap between the probe and either the front or back surface
must be held constant.
If the thickness is constant, changes in the

output will indicate changes in position.

Double Feed Detection (Paper)
This may be done in a top-of-the-line copier, a high-volume mailing machine, or a paper
currency counter.
Capacitive sensors detect increases in the amount

of material in the gap such
as paper thickness.
The application is as follows:-
As paper is fed through the system, it passes between a capacitive probe and a
grounded reference target.
During setup a single thickness of paper is placed under the probe and the sensor is
adjusted to some known output, usually zero.
Then a double-thickness is placed under the probe and the sensor gain is adjusted for a
known output, maybe 1 V or 5 V.
The Sensor Adjustment

The sensor used in this application will usually include an adjustable set point
output.
The set point is normally adjusted to activate at about half of the double sheet output.
For example, if the double sheet output was 1 V, the set point would be adjusted to
activate at 0.5 V. In this way, any output over 0.5 V would trigger a fault in the system.

Label Sensing
The current state of the art in label sensing employs capacitive technology. During
the process of placing labels on containers such as bottles, the location of the leading
edge of the label is critical to locating the label in the center of the bottle.
Differential capacitive measurement

senses the gap between labels on a web.
The detection of the label edge is accomplished using a differential sensor.
The sensor actually has two sensing areas that are driven by the same circuit.
The sensor only activates its output when there is a difference between the two sensors.
The advantage to the differential configuration is that the sensor is much more
immune to changes in the gap between the sensor and the grounded
reference.
Any changes in the gap size are common to both sensors so there is no
difference between them and the change does not affect the output.

Glue or Paper Additive Sensing
The presence and/or amount of glue or other material deposited on a nonconductive
material has been solved in many industries using capacitive technology. If the
thickness/density of the underlying material is constant, changes in the amount of glue
or other material is easily detected with capacitive sensors.
Capacitive sensors’
sensitivity to varying
amounts of
nonconductive
material make them
ideal glue, adhesive,
or additive sensors.

-The probe is mounted in a position such that the applied material passes through
its sensing area.
-Tests are performed to determine the sensor’s sensitivity to the material and gain
adjustments are made to an appropriate level.
-The output of the sensor is then monitored by the control system and either warns
an operator if the material is no longer present, or in more sophisticated systems,
the output is used to control the flow of the applied material.

Level Measurement
The principle is used in devices for measuring levels in non-conducting liquids.
The change
Dr.-Eng.
in capacitance is proportional
Hisham El-Sherif
to the displacement X.
-The electrodes are two concentric cylinders.
-The non conducting liquid provides a dielectric medium between them.
-At the lower end the outer cylinder are holes that allow passage of liquid.
-As the fluid level changes, the dielectric constant between the electrodes
changes.
-This results in a change in capacitance

Capacitance Based Pressure Sensor
- The diaphragm pressure sensing concept can also be used to change the
capacitance between two charged plates inside the sensor.
-The displacement of the diaphragm results in a proportional change in
capacitance.
- by using the operational amplifier, reference capacitance and reference voltage.
- the change in the capacitance of the sensor can be converted to a voltage output
signal proportionally.
d = K 1 ⋅ ∆P
ε⋅A
C=
d

Cr
Vout = Vr ⋅
C

q = idt
q
V=
C i
q q
VO = VC = Vr = Vcr =
C Cr
q
Vc C C
Vr = = =
Vcr q Cr
Cr

Cr
Vout = Vr ⋅
C
Vr ⋅ Cr
Vout = ⋅x
ε⋅A
Vr ⋅ Cr ⋅ K 1
Vout = ⋅ ∆P
ε⋅A
The signal flow for the sensor operation is as follows, where the pressure
differential results in change in the distance between two plates of the
capacitive sensor with is in turn changes the capacitance of the sensor.
∆P → d → C → VOut


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Capacitance Transducers

Capacitance is a function of effective area of conductor, the

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

The capacitance is directly proportional to the area of plates and inversely

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

A = overlapping area in plates m2

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Capacitance change due to plate separation

The capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between plates

Variation of capacitance with distance

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

For parallel plate capacitors , the capacitance is

L = overlapping part of plates

For air, εr =1 the sensitivity of the capacitance transducer becomes

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Change in area based on cylindrical shapes

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Angular rotation of plates

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

The capacitance at angle θ is

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

The sensitivity is calculated as

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

The principal is , change in capacitance caused by change in dielectric constant of

Two plate separated by a material of different

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

the capacitance value for a dielectric material of thickness d and width w

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Differential capacitance transducers are used for precision displacement

Differential arrangement of plates

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

At the midway point E1 - E2 is zero

If X is the displacement of the movable plate, then

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

The dielectric constant ε

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

F = the force between the two

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Precision Spindle Error Motion (Run out)

For detailed analysis, computer software is required to calculate measurements for

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Embedded capacitive probes monitor rotor

Nonconductors by definition cannot provide a ground. Nonconductive measurement is

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Dr.-Eng. Hisham El-Sherif

Using a fringe field to sense a non-conductor