When troubleshooting hydraulic cylinders, which sensor would NOT provide reliable position feedback?

When troubleshooting hydraulic cylinders, selecting a sensor that provides reliable position feedback is crucial. A tachometer measures the rotational speed of a motor or component but does not offer direct information about the position of the hydraulic cylinder itself. It could be beneficial in applications requiring speed information, but it does not respond to the actual position of the cylinder, making it less effective for position feedback in this context.

In contrast, other options like pressure switches, contact limit switches, and linear transducers are designed to provide specific insights about the position of a hydraulic cylinder. Pressure switches can indicate if a certain pressure is reached, which may correlate with position, while contact limit switches provide definite position confirmation when the switch is activated at the extremes of travel. Linear transducers give direct readings of the position based on the movement of the cylinder. Thus, among the options presented, the tachometer is the least capable of providing reliable position feedback for hydraulic cylinders.