How robust is an LVDT
All RDP transducers are housed in a robust stainless steel housing which provides both mechanical protection for the LVDT sensor as well as shielding the internal coils and electronics from external electromagnetic interference. The housing also serves to contain and concentrate the magnetic fields generated by the coils inside the LVDT.
The coils themselves are precision wound with a controlled tension. Once they are tested and optimised they are coated to homogenise them into a more solid, stable unit increasing the resistance to shock and vibration.

When correctly installed unguided LVDTs have no physical contact between the body of the transducer and the moving armature and therefore there is no wear. A correctly installed unguided LVDT therefore is very robust and has a MTBF (mean time between failures) of around 200 years using the parts count method.

On our captive and spring return transducers the armature assembly is guided using low friction bearings again with very low wear and extremely long life.

Where waterproof LVDTs are needed the case and inner tube are welded together between end caps and a suitable submersible electrical termination so that the coils and the electronics are hermetically sealed between the stainless steel tubes. This is because the magnetic principle of operation means that the core only needs to be inside the transducer for the LVDT to work, it´s even OK for suitable fluids to fill the inner tubes of a submersible LVDT.

So a robust housing, solid and stable winding, very few internal connections and no electrical contact across the sensing element means that LVDTs are about the most robust and reliable displacement sensor available.

Click here to see how an LVDT works

About us
RDP is a designer and manufacturer and distributor of LVDT displacement transducers, amplifiers, load cells and pressure sensors for use in a wide range of applications. We are privately owned by the two directors who started the company in 1966. Our extensive range LVDT displacement sensors and amplifiers are manufactured by us at our UK head office and factory. RDP was one of the first manufacturers of LVDT displacement transducers and the first to build the LVDT signal conditioning amplifier into the sensor.

With over 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing LVDTs and other types of linear position transducers we can normally offer a solution from our vast knowledge base to meet your application requirements.