AIT 285 - Sensors and Data Acquisition

3 Credits, 4 Contact Hours
2 lecture periods 2 lab periods

Introductory course in sensors and data acquisition. Includes sensor types, function, installation, adjustment, and maintenance. Also includes a brief overview of sensor signal conditioning, data acquisition configuration, chart recorder operation, and data storage.

Prerequisite(s): AIT 215  
  

1. Describe the operation, function, and application of different types of sensors.
2. Install sensors on a system.
3. Adjust sensor sensitivity.
4. Perform sensor signal transducer scaling.
5. Install data acquisition equipment.
6. Configure data acquisition equipment.
7. Operate data acquisition equipment.

1. Purposes of sensors
2. Sensor types 
   1. Common
      1. Pressure
      2. Temperature
      3. Flow
      4. Level
   2. Other
      1. Strain
      2. Radiation
      3. Voltage and current
      4. Position-angular and linear
      5. Proximity
      6. Inductance
      7. Conductivity
      8. PH
      9. Photo
      10. Switches
3. Principles of operation
   1. Syncing/sourcing
   2. Physical property
   3. Function
   4. Installation
   5. Maintenance
4. Transmitters
   1. Signal conditioning       
   2. Transducers
5. Introduction to data acquisition
   1. Introduction to chart recorders
   2. Digital chart recorder menu navigation
   3. Digital chart recorder configuration
6. Thermal sensors
   1. Voltage, current, and ohm applications
   2. Thermocouple applications
   3. Resistance Transducer Device (RTD) applications
   4. Thermistors

7. Managing chart recorder data

   1. Chart recorder display formats
   2. Continuous logging
   3. Digital chart recorder data transfer 
   4. Alarms