Accurate speed measurement is essential to safe, efficient, and compliant industrial operations. Across oil & gas, power generation, processing, and heavy equipment applications, industrial speed sensors play a critical role in preventing overspeed events, enabling precise control, and delivering real‑time feedback to control systems. Barksdale’s Speed sensors and speed measurement solutions are engineered to meet these demands, providing reliable RPM monitoring in the harshest operating environments.
This proven technology is built on more than four decades of engineering heritage. Originally developed under the Dynalco name, these rugged magnetic pickups and speed instruments became widely trusted for their durability, accuracy, and safety approvals across industrial engine and turbine markets. Today, that legacy continues as Barksdale brings these time‑tested designs forward under its unified Speed sensors and speed measurement solutions portfolio.
Speed Sensors Designed for Industrial Reliability
Barksdale Speed sensors are designed to measure rotational motion from gears, shafts, and other ferrous targets on engines and rotating equipment. These sensors form the front end of a complete speed measurement system, supplying signals to tachometers, speed switches, PLCs, and shutdown systems.
Engineered for industrial service, Speed sensors withstand:
-
High vibration environments
-
Wide temperature ranges
-
Exposure to moisture, oil, and contaminants
-
Hazardous area installations
This robustness makes them ideal for engines, turbines, compressors, pumps, and rotating process equipment. 
Types of Speed Sensors Available
Barksdale offers multiple Speed sensor technologies to match specific application requirements.
Passive Speed Sensors (Magnetic Pickups)
Passive Speed sensors generate an AC signal without requiring external power. As gear teeth pass through the sensor’s magnetic field, a voltage is induced in the internal coil. Each passing tooth produces one waveform cycle, allowing accurate RPM calculation.
Key benefits include:
-
Selfpowered operation
-
Simple, reliable design
-
2pin connector options
-
Standard and intrinsically safe versions
These sensors are commonly used in engine speed monitoring, turbine applications, and overspeed protection systems.
Powered Speed Sensors
Powered Speed sensors build on magnetic sensing principles while providing higher output signal strength. This makes them ideal for longer cable runs or electrically noisy environments where signal clarity is critical.
Active Speed Sensors (Hall Effect)
For applications requiring detection at very low or zero speed, Barksdale offers active Speed sensors using Hall Effect technology. These sensors require DC power and deliver a stable digital output independent of rotational speed.
Advantages include:
-
Operation down to 0 RPM
-
Larger sensing gap tolerance
-
Configurable voltage or current output
-
Excellent compatibility with PLC inputs
Hall Effect Speed sensors are well suited for slowmoving machinery, startup detection, and precision speed control.
ExplosionProof Speed Sensors
For hazardous locations, Barksdale Speed sensors are available in Class I, Division 1 explosionproof configurations. These units feature:
-
Fully potted housings
-
Blindend encapsulated pole pieces
-
½" NPT threaded construction
-
Exceptional resistance to vibration and moisture
Explosionproof Speed sensors are widely deployed in oil & gas, power generation, marine, and chemical processing facilities.
How Speed Sensors Measure RPM
Speed sensors operate by detecting changes in a magnetic field caused by moving ferrous targets. As a gear tooth approaches and leaves the sensor’s magnetic field, the resulting fluctuation generates an electrical signal. This produces a repeating waveform—one pulse per gear tooth—which downstream instruments count to determine RPM.
This simple, proven measurement method delivers highly accurate and repeatable speed data in even the toughest operating conditions.
Built to Outperform in Competitive Markets
Compared to many competitive speed sensors, Barksdale Speed products emphasize durability and longterm reliability. Fully potted construction, multiple sensing options, and broad industry certifications reduce downtime and simplify maintenance—providing a strong value proposition for end users across oil & gas, power generation, marine, rail, and process automation markets.
Whether your application requires explosionproof protection, zerospeed detection, or simple selfpowered operation, Barksdale Speed sensors provide a proven solution for industrial speed measurement.