Honeywell’s Unipolar, Hall Effect Digital Position Sensors

SENSORS: Honeywell’s new Unipolar Hall-Effect Digital Position Sensors, the SS340RT and SS440R Series include an SOT-23 subminiature surface mount package, built-in reverse polarity protection, and a low 3V dc capability. The new devices will occupy less space on a printed circuit board (PCB) than other Honeywell Hall-effect sensors, can simplify installation, and can protect the device from damage when mounted on the PCB.

Honeywell has optimized the size of the integrated circuit, saving on manufacturing costs while still meeting customer requirements. These manufacturing cost savings result in lower costs to customers. The SS340RT Series is a subminiature device that is available on tape and reel, which allows for automated pick-and-place assembly, helping to reduce the customer’s manufacturing costs. As a unipolar device, the SS340RT Series is designed to respond to a single pole (North). The SS440R Series is available in a leaded flat TO-92 style package. It is designed to respond to a South pole.

Potential applications include door or lid closure detection, speed and RPM (revolutions per minute) sensing in fitness equipment, flow rate sensing in industrial processes, appliances, or water softeners, damper or valve position control in industrial, HVAC, or residential/commercial applications, robotic control (cylinder position monitoring), float-based fluid level sensing, printer head position sensing, displacement sensor in hospital beds or medical equipment, and medication bin monitors on portable drug carts.

The SS340RT and SS440R Series’ 3V dc to 24V dc supply voltage range and their ability to operate up to 150C (302F) expand application opportunities. Their thermally balanced integrated circuit provides stable operation over a full temperature range. Sinking output with an open collector allows the device to interface with many electrical components without buffering.

These devices are supplied in three magnetic sensitivities: high sensitivity, medium sensitivity and lowest sensitivity.

The SS340RT and SS440R Series join a unipolar Hall-effect digital position sensor portfolio that includes the SS441A/SS541AT (low gauss, high sensitivity), SS443A/SS543AT (medium gauss, medium sensitivity), and SS449A/SS549AT (high gauss, low sensitivity). These devices are very small, versatile sensors operated by the magnetic field from a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

- Edited by Liz Taurasi