electrical transducer

A transducer is a device that converts energy from one form to another, typically with a known relationship between the input and output. While originally referring to devices that converted mechanical stimuli into electrical output, the term now encompasses a wide range of sensors that detect various forms of stimuli, such as heat, sound, or pressure, and can produce outputs other than electrical signals, like pneumatic or hydraulic ones.1

Electrical transducers can be active, generating electricity directly from stimulation (e.g., a thermocouple), or passive, changing an electrical property like resistance or capacitance in response to stimulation, often requiring additional energy. Examples include accelerometers, microphones, loudspeakers, and thermocouples.12