Final answer:
Contactors can be controlled by various sensitive sensors, including solid-state radiation detectors, mechanoreceptors, and thermistors, which convert different types of input into electrical signals to operate the contactor accurately.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contactors can be automatically controlled by very sensitive sensors. Sensors used for such tasks may include solid-state radiation detectors, which are semiconductors fabricated to directly convert incident radiation into electrical current. These sensors are adept at providing precise control for contactors because they can measure radiation with high sensitivity and convert it into a form of electrical signal that can then be used to control the contactor.
In addition to radiation detection, sensors for controlling contactors could include mechanoreceptors, which are sensory receptors modified to respond to various mechanical disturbances. Another example of sensors are simple thermistors, which are resistors with resistance values that change depending on temperature, thus able to detect temperature variations and convert them into electrical signals suitable for controlling a contactor.
These advancements emphasize the importance of precision in modern electronics and the role of digital technology, such as digital signal processing, in improving the sensitivity and accuracy of measurements and controls. Digital meters are able to detect smaller currents than analog meters and therefore measure voltage and current more accurately. This higher degree of precision is essential for the effective automatic control of devices like contactors.