Which statement about voltage-based versus current-based sensors is true according to the material?

• A. Voltage-based sensors are cheaper to produce
• B. Voltage-based sensors are more susceptible to noise
• C. Voltage-based sensors require more complex circuitry
• D. Voltage-based sensors cannot measure temperature

Answer: (A)

Voltage-based sensors are typically cheaper to produce because their output signal is a simple voltage, which can be generated with straightforward circuitry and requires less specialized conditioning. There’s no need for a loop-powered transmitter or precise current regulation, isolation, or current-to-voltage conversion that current-based systems often require. Those extra parts and design requirements add cost, making current-based sensors more expensive overall. Temperature can be measured with either type of sensor, so that option isn’t a defining constraint. While noise handling and wiring considerations exist for both, the material emphasizes the simpler, cheaper signal path of voltage-based sensors as the reason for the lower production cost.