A distinction is made between displacement transducers

A distinction is made between displacement transducers for small displacements (from several microns to several centimeters) and for large displacements (from tens of centimeters to several meters). Greater displacements are measured by means of traveling transducers. The greatest sensitivity for the measurement of small displacements is provided by photoelectric sensors, capacitance sensors, and some types of potentiometers inductance sensors. Displacements associated with deformations in mechanical components are measured by strain gauges, which usually have amplifiers.