sensor
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sensor
A technical component that detects certain physical or chemical properties of its surroundings (such as temperature, brightness, pressure, or movement) and converts them into an electrical signal. These signals can then be processed by other devices.
Der Sensor an der Tür schaltet das Licht automatisch ein.
The sensor on the door turns the light on automatically.
'Sensor' (sensor) is an international term from Latin that exists in a very similar form in many languages. This makes the word easy to understand.
Moderne Autos sind mit zahlreichen Sensoren ausgestattet.
Modern cars are equipped with numerous sensors.
The word 'Sensor' (sensor) is very often used as the second part of compound nouns. The first part then describes what the sensor measures, e.g. 'Bewegungssensor' (motion sensor), 'Temperatursensor' (temperature sensor), or 'Lichtsensor' (light sensor).
Der Rauchmelder hat einen optischen Sensor.
The smoke detector has an optical sensor.
Verbs that are often used with 'Sensor' (sensor) describe its function: a sensor 'erfasst' (detects), 'misst' (measures), 'reagiert auf' (reacts to), or 'löst' something 'aus' (triggers something).
Der Sensor erfasst jede Bewegung im Raum.
The sensor detects every movement in the room.
recipient / receiver
'der Empfänger' and 'der Sensor' can both be technical parts that receive or pick up something. A receiver receives signals, for example radio or electrical signals, and makes them usable. A sensor, by contrast, detects something in its surroundings, for example light, movement, or temperature, and converts this information into a signal. The words are easy to confuse because both are at the start of a technical processing chain. The difference is: 'der Sensor' measures or detects something, while 'der Empfänger' receives a signal.
Der Sensor an der Tür erkennt jede Bewegung im Flur.
The sensor on the door detects every movement in the hallway.
Der Empfänger im Radio bekommt das Signal vom Sender.
The receiver in the radio gets the signal from the transmitter.