Electronics 101: The Hall Effect explained

Hall effect devices are becoming increasingly common in the hobby. We have Hall effect sticks, compasses, and even hall effect sensors on gas motors which control the timing of the CDI ignition firing.

But what is the Hall effect and how does it work?

This video hopefully explains the way in which this effect works.

[miinyoo]

Such an enthusiastic conductor. We love you for all the conducting you do.

[hotarticwind]

This is an incredible explanation of a microelectronics concept that I've had difficulty grasping in the past. Thank you for taking the time to make it clear. Cheers!

[dogphlap]

The magnetic field, the current created by the voltage applied to the Hall affect device and the force acting on the electrons should be all orthogonal to each other. So on your white board the north pole of the magnet should be behind the white board and the south pole in front. Fleming's Left Hand Rule (for motors) gives these directions (it uses conventional current flow, even though that was subsequently shown to be the opposite to reality) would have the positive of the applied voltage at the bottom of the device illustrated with the negative on the top (if the negative of the Hall voltage is to appear on the right of the of a Hall affect device as illustrated).

[samuelcarvalho]

You sir, are a wonderful teacher. I can tell that you love knowledge and that you enjoy sharing it with others. You've made this concept very easy for me to understand. Thank you so much, God bless!

[edvaioli]

I've never seen the letter "S" written bottom to top. Great video: simple explanation of a complex subject.

[bryanfrancisco-tx]

This kind of teaching we need in our school system. I really believe when someone explain the things very well, he really understood the subject... I was trying to understand the principle of our turbine meter which has a pickup coil and a rotor. And I'm not sure how the pulses are generated. Now it's very clear to me and i know how to troubleshoot the equipment. Thanks sir.

[jamespower]

You are incredible at teaching and explaining, I love your sense of humor!

[Paddington]

Thanks for that video, this is certainly the best explanation I've seen so far.

[thomasdollenmayer]

It would be cool if you "electrically " took us from the radio transmitter we hold all the way through the prop spinning on an electric plane.... and everything in between. These are great and we learn so Thanks Bruce!

[TheBangersnSmash]

As a car mechanic this has helped me understand more how the sensors work in cars
Crankshaft / camshaft / distributors mostly use hall sensors. Thank you

[engineerSalih]

Fantastic video, I looked everywhere for good explanation and I couldn't find a better one! Thank you for uploading.

[hoytvolker]

Simplifying stuff is a skill, RESPECT.

[docbrown-enpw]

Love your videos. Simple to understand. Gets me there quickly to get a GRASP on the subject. Looking at the thumbs down on a few and wondering why there are as many as there is. Then I realize they are the poindexters that go ( in a nasally voice), " you said pie is 3.14. Nuh uh, your wrong it's 3.1415." We that watch your videos are laymen and don't have time to watch a 10hr video on the truest form of the subject and probably wouldn't even grasp it anyways. These videos are to get us in the ballpark on a subject and get the AHHHH I kinda understand now. Love your vids Bruce.

[micksharp]

Sorry but I've got to say this: always you get some one trying to boast how good they are ( electrons don't do that), COOL it you guys, Bruce was using the simplest explanations as to what hall effect is, so that everyone can understand. He's not doing a course in advanced electronics.

[manosst]

Why don't university teachers explain these as simply and clear as you?!

[phillipwylie]

Do you ever get a Hall effect when you walk along a corridor?

[StonyRC]

Good explanation of a "mysterious" electronics term. I LOVE this sort of video. Many Thanks Bruce.

[zedoc]

Thanks for the great video. This is the best explanation I've see so far. Looking forward to more of these theory videos.

[stefanoosterhout]

That is nice video, and I did learn why this is used rather than a potmeter.

However, the explanation is very very very very simplified. In actuality, electrons aren't attracted or repelled my a magnetic field, but moving electrons experience a lorentz force while going through a magnetic field. The magnetic field would have to be perpendicular to the whiteboard in order for it to work (but it's kinda hard to draw).

[sarahgeraceunitedmartialar]

Excellent explanation. Thank you so much. You’ve really made this very clear and are unique in your ability to make the complex understandable!