Editing Hall effect sensor (section)

=== Solid state ===
Because Hall sensor ICs are [[Solid-state electronics|solid-state devices]], they are not prone to mechanical wear. Thus, they can operate at much higher speeds than mechanical sensors, and their lifespan is not limited by mechanical failure (unlike [[potentiometers]], [[electromechanical]] [[Reed switch|reed switches]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staff Writer |title=How to Decide Between a Reed Switch or a Hall Switch |url=https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/how-to-decide-between-a-reed-switch-or-a-hall-switch/ |website=I.I. Thomas |date=27 January 2019 |access-date=20 April 2021}}</ref> [[relays]], or other mechanical [[switches]] and sensors). However, Hall sensors can be prone to thermal drift due to changes in environmental conditions and to time drift over the lifetime of the sensor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hertz |first1=Jake |title=Engineers Deal With Drift in Many Ways. What About a "Zero Drift" Hall-Effect Current Sensor? |url=https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/news/engineers-deal-with-drift-many-ways-zero-drift-hall-effect-current-sensor/ |website=All About Circuits |access-date=20 April 2021}}</ref>

Hall effect devices (when appropriately packaged) are immune to dust, dirt, mud, and water. These characteristics make Hall effect devices better for position sensing than alternative means such as optical and electromechanical sensing.