What type of sensor is an output shaft speed sensor?

An output shaft speed sensor is typically an inductive pulse type sensor. This sensor functions by generating an electrical signal based on the movement of the output shaft, which produces a changing magnetic field as it rotates. This changing magnetic field induces a voltage in a coil surrounding the sensor, resulting in a series of pulse signals that correspond to the speed of the shaft's rotation.

Inductive pulse sensors are widely used in applications requiring precise measurement of rotational speed and provide a reliable output that can be processed by the engine control unit (ECU). This type of sensor does not require direct contact with the shaft, making it durable and less prone to mechanical wear.

The other options, while associated with sensing technologies, do not typically describe output shaft speed sensors. For example, transducers encompass a broader category of devices that convert one form of energy into another, but they do not specifically define the operating principle of output shaft speed sensors. Reed switches and Hall effect sensors operate using different principles—reed switches rely on magnetic fields to open or close contacts, whereas Hall effect sensors provide output signals based on the presence of a magnetic field rather than being primarily inductive in nature.