LVIT Linear Position Sensors: Reliable, Precise, and Cost‑Effective Solutions for Industrial Use

White Paper: Sensors/Data Acquisition

SPONSORED BY:

Explore how Alliance Sensors Group’s LVIT linear position sensors deliver long life, high reliability, and cost efficiency in demanding environments. Learn how they reduce maintenance while ensuring precise, repeatable performance across subsea systems, hydraulics, civil engineering, hazardous locations, power generation, factory automation, process control, and OEM applications.

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Overview

This white paper outlines the Linear Variable Inductance Transducer (LVIT) technology, a proven, contactless linear position sensing solution with more than 40 years of industry deployment. LVITs operate by generating eddy currents through an inductive coil that interact magnetically with a conductive target element. The resulting shift in resonant frequency is accurately converted into an absolute position output. The contactless mechanism eliminates wear, ensuring long‑term reliability and outperforming resistive potentiometers and many other sensor types in durability and cost‑effectiveness.

LVIT sensors are available in a range of compact sizes—from miniature diameters as small as 0.375 inches to heavy‑duty models exceeding 1.7 inches wide. They are typically rated to industrial IP‑67 standards and fully compliant with EMI, RoHS, and CE regulations. The sensors provide exceptional linearity (≤ ±0.1% FSO), temperature stability (≤ 0.015% FSO/°C), and multiple output options, including analog DC and high‑resolution digital signals. An absolute output eliminates position loss during power interruptions, and the proprietary SenSet™ programmable scaling feature allows simple in‑field calibration and mechanical tolerance adjustments.

Compared with alternative linear sensors such as potentiometers, DC‑LVDTs, half‑bridge sensors, magnetostrictive devices, and pencil probes, LVITs offer superior or comparable accuracy, repeatability, resolution, and lifespan—often at a lower or moderate cost. Their excellent stroke‑to‑length ratio enables shorter sensor bodies for the same stroke length, reducing installation space and overall project cost.

LVIT technology excels in demanding applications across multiple industries: mobile hydraulics (measuring hydraulic cylinder ram position), subsea systems (pressure‑sealed sensors for deep ocean environments), civil engineering (monitoring bridge movement and railway buckling), power generation (valve and generator position feedback), and factory automation (robotic arms, packaging, dimensional gaging). Many LVITs are UL‑listed for hazardous locations (NEC Class 1, Div 2), making them suitable for oil and gas exploration.

User testimonials highlight benefits such as enhanced reliability, reduced maintenance, flexible output options, and custom OEM packaging capabilities. The bibliography cites comprehensive references on position sensors and measurement technologies, reinforcing LVITs as a well‑established, versatile, and cost‑effective solution for precision linear position sensing across diverse industrial sectors.