Thursday 1 June 2017

Twitter Bird Gadget

Types of Magnetometer and its Applications – All that You Need to Know!

Are you an amateur in the engineering field but want to grab detailed knowledge about the magnetic field sensing devices? If yes, you need to stay tuned and read the information provided below. 

Indubitably, we all know the fact that our earth is surrounded by a lot of different frequencies, but to measure these frequencies there is a need for a device which helps in detecting the lines of flux. This is where magnetometer comes into play.


Definition –

Magnetometer also known as magnetic field sensor is a commonly used magnetic field sensing device which is used to measure the flux density of the surrounded magnetic field.

This sensing device is completely different from other devices as it is primarily used for detecting changes or disturbances in magnetic fields, in which other devices are not efficient. 

Types of Magnetometers –


1.Scalar magnetometer
2.Vector magnetometer

Scalar Magnetometer – It is used to measures the scalar value of the magnetic flux intensity. There are two types of sensors in this category, which include –

  • Proton precession magnetic sensor
  • Ionized gas magnetic sensor


Proton Precession Magnetometer

This device is used to measure the resonance frequency of the protons. It is commonly used at the archaeology sites that help in determining the damaged walls and buildings.

Ionized Gas Magnetic Sensor

Another device that comes under the category of the scalar magnetometer is an ionized gas magnetic sensor. But when compared with proton precession magnetometer, it functions better than it. The ionized gas magnetic sensor provides accurate results because it comprises of photon emitter light and a vapor chamber that makes the detection process easy and fast. The purpose of using this device is that it helps detect leakage of gases and allowing the people to take necessary measures to stop the leakage, which could prove disastrous. 

Vector Magnetometer – It is used to determine the magnitude and the direction of the magnetic field. It include two types of magnetometer, which includes –

  • SQUID magnetometer
  • Hall Effect magnetometer
  • SQUID Magnetometers


This device is used to sense the magnetic fields produced by brain or heart, which help researchers and doctors in examining the body.

Hall Effect Magnetometer

This device is used to measure the voltage. It is commonly used in car manufacturing industries in order to determine the strength of magnetic field which is used for anti-lock braking systems in cars or wheel rotation speed.

From the above provided information, you must have got an idea about the magnetic field sensing terminology and its types. Now if anyone asks anything about it, you can surely give an answer or be a part of the conversation.