The hall effect sensor is a type of magnetic sensor which can be used for detecting the strength and
direction of a magnetic field produced from a permanent magnet or an electromagnet with its
output varying in proportion to the strength of the magnetic field being detected.
Magnetic sensors convert magnetic or magnetically encoded information into electrical signals for
processing by electronic circuits, and in the Sensors and Transducers tutorials we looked at inductive
proximity sensors and the LDVT as well as solenoid and relay output actuators.
Magnetic sensors are solid state devices that are becoming more and more popular because they can
be used in many different types of application such as sensing position, velocity or directional
movement.
They are also a popular choice of sensor for the electronics designer due to their non-contact wear
free operation, their low maintenance, robust design and as sealed hall effect devices are immune to
vibration, dust and water.
One of the main uses of magnetic sensors is in automotive systems for the sensing of position,
distance and speed. For example, the angular position of the crank shaft for the firing angle of the
spark plugs, the position of the car seats and seat belts for air-bag control or wheel speed detection
for the anti-lock braking system, (ABS).
Magnetic sensors are designed to respond to a wide range of positive and negative magnetic fields in
a variety of different applications and one type of magnet sensor whose output signal is a function of
magnetic field density around it is called the Hall Effect Sensor.
Hall Effect Sensors are devices which are activated by an external magnetic field. We know that a
magnetic field has two important characteristics flux density, (B) and polarity (North and South
Poles).
The output signal from a Hall effect sensor is the function of magnetic field density around the
device. When the magnetic flux density around the sensor exceeds a certain pre-set threshold, the
sensor detects it and generates an output voltage called the Hall Voltage, VH. Consider the diagram
below.
Hall Effect Sensor Principles
Hall Effect Sensors are devices which are activated by an
external magnetic field. We know that a magnetic field has two
important characteristics flux density, (B) and polarity (North and
South Poles).
The output signal from a Hall effect sensor is the function of
magnetic field density around the device. When the magnetic flux
density around the sensor exceeds a certain pre-set threshold,
the sensor detects it and generates an output voltage called
the Hall Voltage, VH. Consider the diagram below.
Hall Effect Sensor Principles
Hall Effect Sensors consist basically of a thin piece of
rectangular p-type semiconductor material such as gallium
arsenide (GaAs), indium antimonide (InSb) or indium arsenide
(InAs) passing a continuous current through itself.
When the device is placed within a magnetic field, the magnetic
flux lines exert a force on the semiconductor material which
deflects the charge carriers, electrons and holes, to either side of
the semiconductor slab. This movement of charge carriers is a
result of the magnetic force they experience passing through the
semiconductor material.
As these electrons and holes move side wards a potential
difference is produced between the two sides of the
semiconductor material by the build-up of these charge carriers.
Then the movement of electrons through the semiconductor
material is affected by the presence of an external magnetic field
which is at right angles to it and this effect is greater in a flat
rectangular shaped material.
The effect of generating a measurable voltage by using a
magnetic field is called the Hall Effect after Edwin Hall who
discovered it back in the 1870’s with the basic physical principle
underlying the Hall effect being Lorentz force. To generate a
potential difference across the device the magnetic flux lines
must be perpendicular, (90o) to the flow of current and be of the
correct polarity, generally a south pole.
The Hall effect provides information regarding the type of
magnetic pole and magnitude of the magnetic field. For example,
a south pole would cause the device to produce a voltage output
while a north pole would have no effect. Generally, Hall Effect
sensors and switches are designed to be in the “OFF”, (open
circuit condition) when there is no magnetic field present. They
only turn “ON”, (closed circuit condition) when subjected to a
magnetic field of sufficient strength and polarity.
Hall Effect Magnetic Sensor
The output voltage, called the Hall voltage, (V H) of the basic Hall
field passing through the semiconductor material (output ∝ H).
Element is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic
This output voltage can be quite small, only a few microvolts even
when subjected to strong magnetic fields so most commercially
available Hall effect devices are manufactured with built-in DC
amplifiers, logic switching circuits and voltage regulators to
improve the sensors sensitivity, hysteresis and output voltage.
This also allows the Hall effect sensor to operate over a wider
range of power supplies and magnetic field conditions.