Motion Sensors
Motion Sensors Inc. designs and manufactures specialty speed sensors (Hall Effect, Variable Reluctance, RF/Eddy Current, and Amplified) for extreme-environment B2B applications in flow metering, aerospace, defense, rail, aviation, and motorsports, operating as a brand under Sentech Inc. since 1970.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersElizabeth City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Motion Sensors does
Motion Sensors Inc. is a US-based designer and manufacturer of specialty speed sensors founded in 1970 and headquartered in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, operating as a brand under parent Sentech Inc. The company builds sensors that measure the rotational speed of gears, shafts, turbines, and other rotating devices across four core technology platforms: Hall Effect zero-speed sensors, Variable Reluctance (VR) sensors, RF (Eddy Current) sensors, and Amplified/Active sensors. Its products are differentiated by proprietary mechanical features including a "focusing tip" on premium VR sensors enabling larger air gaps, hermetic glass-to-metal sealing for moisture resistance, and extreme temperature operation from -267C to +538C. Supporting products include preamplifiers (PA2001, PA1001A, DIN Rail variants), digital-to-analog converters, and the Ceramawire HT high-temperature magnet wire sub-brand.
The company sells primarily to B2B industrial customers in flow metering, aerospace, defense, rail, aviation, and motorsports. Its business model is sales-led and direct, with no e-commerce or self-serve purchasing; customers request quotes and engage with in-house application engineers for sensor selection, customization, and design support. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of standard catalog sensors and custom-engineered solutions, plus professional services for build-to-print, reverse engineering, and environmental testing. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with custom projects priced on engineering requirements and NRE costs. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, AS9100D, ATEX, CSA (NRTL/C), and IECEx certifications, enabling qualification into hazardous-location, aerospace, and defense programs globally. A European channel partnership with Filton Process Control Engineering extends reach into the EU flow metering market.
Customer relationships are anchored in mission-critical applications where sensor failure carries high consequence: offshore oil rig turbine flowmeters, naval propeller speed sensing at cryogenic temperatures, and motorsports braking systems exceeding 232C. This positioning creates durable incumbency in regulated end markets but constrains volume and ties revenue closely to a limited number of specialized industrial customers.
Motion Sensors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Motion Sensors
- Legal name
- Motion Sensors, Inc.
- Website
- https://motionsensors.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Motion Sensors Inc. designs and manufactures specialty speed sensors (Hall Effect, Variable Reluctance, RF/Eddy Current, and Amplified) for extreme-environment B2B applications in flow metering, aerospace, defense, rail, aviation, and motorsports, operating as a brand under Sentech Inc. since 1970.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Motion Sensors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Speed Sensors
- NAICS
- Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Inertial & Motion Sensors (Accelerometers/Gyroscopes/IMUs) (HDAHALAA)
Keywords
Where Motion Sensors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elizabeth City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Motion Sensors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Speed Sensor Products: Motion Sensors generates revenue primarily through the sale of speed sensors across multiple technology platforms including Hall Effect, Variable Reluctance, RF (Eddy Current), and Amplified sensors. Products range from standard catalog sensors to fully custom-designed sensors. The company also offers related accessories including preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters, and cable harnesses.
- Custom Sensor Design & Engineering Services: Revenue is generated through custom sensor design, build-to-print services, and reverse engineering of existing sensors. The engineering team provides design support from concept discussions to detailed customer drawings, including modification of standard products and development of entirely custom solutions.
- Ceramawire High-Temperature Wire Products: Sale of Ceramawire HT wire, a ceramic coated magnetic wire for high-temperature coil winding and lead wire applications. Available in various gauges (18-41 AWG) in both Nickel Clad Copper and All Nickel conductor types.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard speed sensors with catalog pricing |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom sensor solutions with project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Motion Sensors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Motion Sensors Inc. designs and manufactures speed sensors and related electronics — including Hall Effect, Variable Reluctance, RF (Eddy Current), and Amplified (Active) sensors — for measuring the rotational speed of gears, shafts, turbines, and other rotating devices. The company also offers Ceramawire HT high-temperature magnet wire, LVDT position sensors, preamplifiers, signal conditioners, and custom sensor engineering services for extreme-environment applications in aerospace, defense, rail, flow metering, and aviation.
Product overview
Motion Sensors Inc. is a speed sensing specialist offering a comprehensive portfolio of speed sensor products and services. The core product lines include Hall Effect Zero Speed Sensors (H, HN, HD series with oriented, non-oriented, and quadrature output variants), Variable Reluctance (VR) Speed Sensors (with epoxy encapsulated, hermetically sealed, high temperature, dual winding, and active variants), RF (Eddy Current) Speed Sensors (standard and high temperature models), and Amplified (Active) Speed Sensors. Supporting these are preamplifier and signal conditioning products including the PA1001A and PA2001 preamplifiers, DIN Rail preamplifiers, Digital to Analog Converters, and Intrinsically Safe Preamplifiers. The company also offers Ceramawire HT Wire (ceramic coated magnetic wire) and LVDT position sensors (75 Series, 813 Series, and DC models with built-in signal conditioning) as sub-products. Custom speed sensor services including design support, reverse engineering, build to print, and environmental testing round out the offering. All products are available in standard, intrinsically safe (ATEX, CSA, IECEx certified), and explosion proof (Ex d) versions for hazardous locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ceramawire™: Ceramic coated magnetic wire product line, suitable for high temperature applications up to 1000°F continuous operation.
Products and services
- Hall Effect Zero Speed Sensors (H, HN, HD Series) Solid-state Hall effect speed sensors providing true zero speed sensing with oriented, non-oriented, and quadrature dual-channel output options for industrial speed and position measurement applications.
- Variable Reluctance (VR) Speed Sensors Passive VR speed sensors composed of windings around cylindrical magnetic materials, generating sine wave signals from passing ferrous targets; available in multiple construction variants for temperature, sealing, and noise immunity requirements.
- RF (Eddy Current) Speed Sensors Eddy current RF speed sensors offering near-zero speed response, zero magnetic drag, large air gap capability, and the ability to sense both ferrous and non-ferrous metals including aluminum and non-magnetic stainless steel.
- Amplified (Active) Speed Sensors Amplified active speed sensors with integrated preamplifiers and signal conditioning electronics that combine VR or RF transducer technology with electronics for near-zero velocity sensing and digital pulse output.
- Intrinsically Safe Speed Sensors ATEX, CSA, and IECEx certified intrinsically safe speed sensors for hazardous location use across Hall Effect, VR, RF, and Amplified platforms.
- Explosion Proof (Ex d) Speed Sensors Ex d certified explosion proof speed sensors for potentially explosive atmospheres, available across Hall Effect, VR, RF, and Amplified platforms.
- Preamplifiers and Signal Conditioners Preamplifiers and signal conditioners (PA2001, PA1001A, DIN Rail PA7/PA8, intrinsically safe PMX/PRX) plus PCA121S digital-to-analog converters supporting TTL/CMOS, 0-5VDC, 0-10VDC, 4-20mA, and open collector outputs for use with VR and RF speed sensors.
- Ceramawire HT Wire Ceramic coated magnetic wire (Ceramawire HT) with vitreous enamel insulation rated -450°F to 1000°F continuous operation (up to 2000°F for shorter periods); available in Nickel Clad Copper and All Nickel conductor types for high-temperature coil winding and lead wire applications.
- LVDT Position Sensors (75, 813, DC Series) Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) position sensors in AC and DC configurations with built-in signal conditioning, including pressure-sealed stainless steel housings rated to 5,000 PSI (submersible to 30,000 PSI).
- Custom Speed Sensor Design and Engineering Services Custom sensor engineering services including areas of customization, sensor modification, reverse engineering of existing sensors, build-to-print and design support, and in-house environmental testing for thermal, pressure, and vibration qualification.
Quantifiable outcome
- Custom intrinsically safe sensors can be delivered in 1-2 weeks under existing certifications (vs. months for new certifications)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Motion Sensors
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Motion Sensors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Motion Sensors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Filton Process Control EngineeringcoreMotion Sensors has partnered with Filton Process Control Engineering, providing the best in industrial flow metering solutions. From single flowmeters to turnkey instrumentation systems, Filton offers flowmeter service, calibration, and hire facilities, providing the best solutions for customer applications. Filton serves the European market with Flow Metering and Related Applications, providing an important channel partnership for Motion Sensors' products in the region.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Motion Sensors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hengstler: Manufacturer of encoders, counters, and speed sensors used in industrial automation, rail, and aerospace applications. Comparable in delivering precision rotational sensing into similarly demanding harsh-environment and certified-product applications.
- Dynapar (Sensata): Manufactures encoders and speed sensors for industrial automation. Directly comparable offering rotary speed and position sensing products to OEMs in similar flow metering, motion control, and heavy machinery verticals.
- Electro-Sensors: Specializes in speed sensors, tachometers, and industrial monitoring products. Directly comparable as a niche manufacturer of speed sensing solutions for industrial applications, with overlapping target customers in conveyor, motor, and process control markets.
- BEI Sensors (Sensata): Manufacturer of encoders, position sensors, and speed sensors for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Directly comparable in delivering non-contact rotational sensing with similar hazardous-location and extreme-environment certifications.
- Kaman Precision Products: Supplies eddy current, proximity, and position sensors for aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Comparable in offering specialty non-contact sensing solutions for extreme environments with similar aerospace and defense customer overlap.
Broad incumbents
- Balluff: Broad-line industrial sensor manufacturer covering position, speed, and process sensors. Comparable in serving industrial automation customers with speed/position sensing solutions, though Balluff operates at significantly larger scale.
- Pepperl+Fuchs: Global leader in industrial sensors and hazardous-location equipment. Comparable across Motion Sensors' hazardous-location product lines and industrial speed/position sensing applications, though serves a much broader sensor portfolio.
- Sensata Technologies: Large diversified sensor manufacturer serving aerospace, industrial, and energy markets. Overlaps with Motion Sensors in speed, position, and pressure sensing for harsh-environment and hazardous-location applications.
- Turck: Industrial automation sensor specialist with strong presence in hazardous-location and process industries. Comparable in serving flow metering, rail, and harsh-environment sensing applications through a broad industrial sensor portfolio.
- Honeywell Sensing & Safety: Global sensor and safety device manufacturer with extensive aerospace, defense, and process industry presence. Overlaps with Motion Sensors in hazardous-location, flow metering, and aerospace sensing applications through a much broader portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Motion Sensors social profiles
Digital presenceMotion Sensors compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Motion Sensors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Motion Sensors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Motion Sensors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Motion Sensors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Motion Sensors
What does Motion Sensors do?
Motion Sensors Inc. designs and manufactures speed sensors and related electronics — including Hall Effect, Variable Reluctance, RF (Eddy Current), and Amplified (Active) sensors — for measuring the rotational speed of gears, shafts, turbines, and other rotating devices. The company also offers Ceramawire HT high-temperature magnet wire, LVDT position sensors, preamplifiers, signal conditioners, and custom sensor engineering services for extreme-environment applications in aerospace, defense, rail, flow metering, and aviation.
Is Motion Sensors a public or private company?
Motion Sensors is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Motion Sensors founded?
Motion Sensors was founded in 1970. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Motion Sensors based?
Motion Sensors is headquartered in Elizabeth City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Motion Sensors make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Speed Sensor Products are the primary driver. The others are custom Sensor Design & Engineering Services and ceramawire High-Temperature Wire Products.
Who are Motion Sensors's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hengstler, Dynapar (Sensata), Electro-Sensors, BEI Sensors (Sensata) and Kaman Precision Products. Broad incumbents are Balluff, Pepperl+Fuchs, Sensata Technologies, Turck and Honeywell Sensing & Safety.
Does Motion Sensors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Motion Sensors.
What industry is Motion Sensors in?
Motion Sensors's product category is Industrial Speed Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAA, Inertial & Motion Sensors (Accelerometers/Gyroscopes/IMUs). Its NAICS code is 334519 and its SIC code is 3823.