Buzzer input

[Peabody]

Looking for buzzers, I found this:

" Murata Electronics North America PK series has DC, peak-peak Signal, and zero-peak Signal input types."

With respect to internally-driven indicator buzzers, could someone explain what those input types mean?

Thanks

[KMoffett]

Did you read their data sheets? "DC" means the the buzzers have internal oscillator circuitry to drive the piezo elements. You just supply a constant DC voltage. "peak-peak Signal" means you must supply an AC voltage at the piezo's frequency.  "zero-peak Signal" means you must supply a pulsating DC voltage at the piezo's frequency.

Ken

[Peabody]

Did you read their data sheets? "DC" means the the buzzers have internal oscillator circuitry to drive the piezo elements. You just supply a constant DC voltage. "peak-peak Signal" means you must supply an AC voltage at the piezo's frequency.  "zero-peak Signal" means you must supply a pulsating DC voltage at the piezo's frequency.

Ken

That's what I would have thought.  But on Digikey I see a number of buzzers which are both "internally driven" and "zero-peak signal".  This one, for example:

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/soberton-inc/WST-1206BX/433-1081-ND/1632599

That seems to be conflicting, but there are a numler of buzzers like that.  Of course that's just what Digikey says.  The datasheet doesn't actually say anything about how it's driven.

So that's why I asked.

[KMoffett]

The PK series you linked to are "piezo" element buzzers.  The WST series are "electromechanical".

Ken

[Peabody]

I'm not sure what difference that makes, but I finally found that WST buzzer that I knew I had somewhere in the junque box, and on testing it, it behaves like DC drive.  I apply 3.3V power to it, and it buzzes.  No wave form needed.  So I'm still puzzled by Digikey's description of it as zero-peak when other internally driven buzzers that behave the same way say "DC".  But looking further, it's only the Soberton buzzers that are described this funny way.  For all other manufacturers, if it's internally driven, it's also DC.  So I think it's just an error.  Mouser and Arrow don't carry that brand, so I can't compare there.

But you agree?  If it's internally driven, it's DC drive?

[KMoffett]

Yes.

Ken

[ArthurDent]

One thing to keep in mind is the application you want to use the buzzer for. An internal oscillator (D.C.) version will produce a set tone (3100hz ?) and would be used in a smoke detector or similar application where you want a noise to alert you of an error condition.

The externally driven ones will allow you to play a tune like a musical greeting card and allow you to produce the effect of different notes. If you are driving the buzzer from a logic level signal that goes from zero to some positive voltage then the zero-peak types are what you want. If you have a signal that is symmetrical around zero then the peak-peak is the way to go.

Check this link for more info:  https://www.aurelienr.com/electronique/piezo/applic.pdf   

[Peabody]

Thank you Arthur. In my application, the buzzer is just going to provide an alert that it's time to open the oven door, or remove the board from the hot plate, and do it right now.  So a continuous, obnoxious tone will work fine.

By the way, I see that your reply was your post #442, which I think means it is not only the answer to the buzzer question, but also the answer to life, the universe, and everything.  Thank you so much.

[ArthurDent]

Peabody - "Thank you Arthur. " 

The full name is Arthur Philip Dent.  You're most welcome!


(Corrected American spelling of middle name back to English)

[Peabody]

Peabody - "Thank you Arthur. " 

The full name is Arthur Phillip Dent.  You're most welcome!

Arthur Philip Dent.