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3 min read

What is a Hall effect sensor?

Roger Zingg Mar 19, 2025 9:54:15 AM
What is a Hall effect sensor?
5:31

Hall effect sensors play a crucial role in modern sensor technology. They enable non-contact, high-precision measurements and are used in numerous industries - from the automotive industry to industrial automation and safety-critical applications.

How Hall effect sensors work

Hall effect sensors are based on the Hall effect. This physical principle was discovered in
discovered by physicist Edwin Hall in 1879 and describes how an electrical voltage field
field is created when a current-carrying material is exposed to a magnetic field.

How does a Hall effect sensor work?

  1. A current flows through a semiconductor material.
  2. If a magnetic field strikes the material perpendicularly, an electrical voltage is generated
    perpendicular to the current flow and the direction of the magnetic field - the so-called Hall voltage.
  3. This voltage is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field and can be measured and converted into an electrical signal.

By cleverly arranging several Hall elements, the field direction can be measured in 2D or 3D space instead of the field strength.
Furthermore temperature effects of Hall elements and magnets are compensated. It is even possible suppress magnetic interference fields. This makes the measurement with Hall effect
sensors extremely reliable. The non-contact and therefore wear-free measurement is ideal for demanding applications.

What are Hall effect sensors used for?

Hall effect sensors are extremely versatile and are used in numerous application areas:

Switching elements

  • Simple Hall switches detect whether the refrigerator door is closed, for example
  • Pulse generators, in combination with a magnet on a rotating part, allow revolutions to be counted - for example in the ABS sensor in a car.
  • Hall sensors enable robust, wear-free actuating buttons for door openers, vending machines and other human-machine interfaces (HMI).

Measuring devices

  • Magnetic field measuring devices are used for quality assurance in magnet production.
  • Hall effect sensors are integrated into smartphones and similar devices as a digital compass.
  • Hall effect sensors enable measuring devices for non-contact current measurement, such as for measuring motor currents in electric vehicles.

Rotary encoders and linear encoders

  • Bearingless rotary encoders with a large tolerance range for mounting the magnetic encoder are based on Hall effect technology.
  • Hall-effect sensors enable intrinsically mounted sensors with a small design, high resolution and high accuracy.
  • Whether with or without bearings - Hall effect sensors are suitable for applications with high functional safety requirements (FuSi).

Areas of application for rotary and linear encoders

Rotary encoders and linear encoders based on Hall-effect sensors are used in a wide variety of
industrial sectors:
  • Mobile applications: diverse measuring tasks in construction machinery, agricultural vehicles, forestry machinery, industrial trucks, etc.
  • Marine: Measurement of the rudder position, the position of rudder propellers or the position of control levers on the bridge.
  • Robotics: precise measurement of rotational movements in robots
  • Industry: A wide range of measurement tasks in an industrial environment, for example measuring the position of ventilation flaps or valves


Advantages of Hall effect sensors

Hall effect sensors offer numerous advantages over other sensor technologies:
  • Non-contact and wear-free - no mechanical wear and tear
  • High measuring accuracy - reliable even in harsh environments
  • Versatile - ideal for position, speed and angle measurement
  • Robust and durable - insensitive to dust, dirt and moisture
  • Compact and energy-efficient - perfect for mobile and battery-powered applications
  • External bearing - reliable function with large mounting tolerances


Why choose Contelec for rotary and linear encoders with Hall technology?

For decades, Contelec has been a leader in the development and production of high-precision Hall effect-based rotary/angle sensors and linear encoders. The customized sensor technologies from Contelec offer:
  • Swiss precision - developed and manufactured to the highest quality standards
  • Flexible solutions - customized sensors for every application as well as standard sensors
  • Reliability and durability - optimized for demanding industrial applications
Whether you need high accuracy, compact dimensions, great robustness or simply a
Contelec offers the right technology: precision with Hall-effect rotary and linear encoders Hall-effect sensors have become an indispensable part of modern technology.
They enable precise, non-contact measurements and are indispensable in many industries.
 
Thanks to their high reliability, long service life and versatility, they are
the ideal choice for industrial and safety-critical applications.
 
💡 Would you like to find out more about our Hall effect sensors?
📩 Contact us for an individual consultation!
Roger Zingg
Roger Zingg has been Managing Director of Contelec AG, a company based in Biel, Switzerland, which specializes in the development and production of angle sensors, since 1989. Under his leadership, Contelec has established itself as a leading provider of sensor solutions used in various industries such as agricultural engineering, medical technology and the energy sector. With over 35 years of experience in the sensor industry and a strong commitment to sporting activities, Roger Zingg embodies a balance between professional success and personal passion. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

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