sensing element
- noun
- /ˈsɛn.sɪŋ ˈɛl.ɪ.mənt/
- Specialized
- A change in temperature causes a change in the sensing element's electrical resistance, which is transmitted to a voltmeter for measuring and then to a computer for converting into thermal values.
Examples
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In the new design, the sensing element responds to light, allowing for automatic adjustments.
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The hygrometer uses a sulfonated polystyrene strip as a sensing element; conductance varies as water vapor is absorbed.
Academic text (2005) -
The sensing element is sealed in a vacuum that reduces air molecules as a source of noise.
Academic text (2002) -
Coupling these instruments directly to the sensing element minimizes drift.
Academic text (1994) -
The RTD sensing element wire is electrically charged by the receiving instrument.
Academic text (1994) -
Each strain sensing element of the rosette was connected to a Wheatstone bridge in a quarter-bridge pattern.
Academic text (1995) -
The company's strategy is to supply the sensing element and rely on tier-one suppliers to manufacture the entire module, Russell said.
Academic text (2005) -
The 20 mm cube accelerometer uses a ceramic shear sensing element and a ground-isolated housing.
Academic text (2004) -
Heat-treated stainless steel sensors and sensing elements with bonded foil strain gauges produce a full-scale output of 2mV/V.
Academic text (2004) -
The sensing element detects changes in temperature and sends signals to the thermostat.
Synonyms
A device that notices heat, light, pressure, or movement and sends a signal
A device that senses things like metal, movement, or radioactivity
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a component that detects stimuli' is directly compositional from 'sensing' (detecting/perceiving) + 'element' (a component or part). This noun–noun technical compound follows standard English composition and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Sensing element is like a tiny 'finger' in a machine: sensing means 'feeling' and element means a small 'part'. When this small part touches heat, light, pressure, or movement it 'detects' them and sends a 'signal', so the name means a part that senses and tells the machine what happened.