Analyzer Sensors Simulator – Learn pH, DO, TOC & Gas Analyzers
An analytical sensor tells you what is in water, steam or gas (acidity, salts, disinfectant, oxygen, cloudiness…) instead of just how hot or how fast it is. Every one of them turns a chemical or optical effect into a voltage, a current, a resistance, a light level or a colour. Pick a sensor, change the process, then try dirt, ageing, temperature and interference to see why instruments read wrong and how to fix them.
1Choose a sensor type (43 types in 6 families)
From chemistry to 4-20 mA (signal chain)
How it works
About this sensor type
| Measures | |
| Principle | |
| Typical measuring range | |
| Typical accuracy | |
| Used in | |
| Weak point | |
| Response time (63 %) |
2Change the process
3Real-world conditions
Transmitter readings
| True process value | |
| Value at the sensor (after lag) | |
| Sensor raw signal | |
| Digital value (16-bit) | |
| Value shown by transmitter | |
| Output (% of range) and current | |
| Measurement error |
Response to a change
Sensor signal vs process value
Compare all sensor types (click a row)
Which sensor answers which question?
Beginner glossary
- Analyte
- The thing you want to measure (chlorine, sodium, oil, …).
- Potentiometric
- The sensor makes a voltage that depends on the amount of the analyte. pH, ORP and ion-selective electrodes work like this.
- Amperometric
- The analyte reacts at an electrode and makes a tiny current. Chlorine, ozone and dissolved oxygen (Clark) work like this.
- Nernst equation
- The rule that gives about 59 mV for every ten times change in ion concentration (at 25 C). This is called a log response.
- Beer-Lambert law
- The more coloured (absorbing) substance in the light path, the less light gets through. Used by colorimeters, UV and infrared analyzers.
- Reference electrode
- A half-cell that gives a steady voltage so the measuring electrode has something to compare with.
- Calibration
- Putting the sensor in a standard (buffer, test gas, known sample) so the transmitter learns the correct signal. Sensors drift, so this is repeated regularly.
- Fouling
- Dirt, oil, scale or biofilm on the sensor. It slows the response and lowers the signal.
- Temperature compensation
- The transmitter measures the sample temperature and corrects for its effect on the signal.
- Interference
- Another substance that gives a false signal, for example potassium in an ammonium sensor.
- Batch analyzer
- An instrument that takes a sample, adds reagents, waits for a reaction and then measures. It updates only once per cycle.
- 4-20 mA
- Standard industrial signal. 4 mA means the bottom of the range, 20 mA means the top.
Explore how industrial analyzers measure pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorine, TOC and gas concentrations.
Select an analyzer, adjust process conditions and observe simulated sensor readings, signal responses and measurement graphs. Learn how sensor fouling, temperature and calibration affect analyzer performance.
Ideal for: Instrumentation students, technicians and engineers who want to understand analyzer working principles through interactive simulation.
Note: This simulator is for educational purposes only. Actual instrument performance may vary.
