sensor malfunction

[ˈsɛnsər mælˈfʌŋkʃən]
nounpl: sensor malfunctions
mau funcionamento do sensor
1. A failure or improper operation of a sensor device that prevents it from detecting, measuring, or transmitting data correctly
The alarm system triggered a warning due to a sensor malfunction in the main entrance.
O sistema de alarme acionou um aviso devido a um mau funcionamento do sensor na entrada principal.
2. Technical defect in a sensing apparatus that causes inaccurate readings or complete failure to function
The car's dashboard displayed an error code indicating a sensor malfunction in the oxygen sensor.
O painel do carro exibiu um código de erro indicando mau funcionamento do sensor de oxigênio.
In Brazil and the USA, sensor malfunction warnings are common in automotive diagnostics and industrial settings. Brazilian Portuguese tends to use 'mau funcionamento' as a formal term, while colloquial speech often uses 'defeito' or 'falha'. In Portugal, 'avaria' is more technical and formal. The term is increasingly important in IoT and smart home contexts globally.
NYC Slang
sensor acting up / sensor on the fritz / sensor went kaput
Synonyms / Sinônimos
sensor failuresensor defectsensor errorsensor breakdownsensor fault
Antonyms / Antônimos
sensor operationproper sensor functioncorrect sensor reading

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
mau funcionamento do sensor
Standard term used throughout Brazil in technical and everyday contexts
São Paulo
defeito do sensor / falha do sensor
More commonly used in industrial and automotive contexts
Rio de Janeiro
sensor com defeito
Common colloquial usage in technical discussions
Portugal
avaria do sensor / funcionamento defeituoso do sensor
Portuguese uses 'avaria' more frequently than Brazilian Portuguese for mechanical failures

Related Words

sensormalfunctionfailuredetectorequipment failurediagnostic errortechnical faultsystem error

Related Idioms & Phrases

sensor on the blink
sensor not playing ball
sensor went haywire
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