What type of voltage does a magnetic pickup produce?

A magnetic pickup generates alternating current (AC) voltage. This occurs due to the principle of electromagnetic induction, where a magnetic field interacts with a conductor, inducing a voltage that alternates in polarity as the magnetic field changes. This is often seen in applications such as tachometers or speed sensors, where the pickup detects the rotation of a magnetic target.

The alternating nature of the produced voltage corresponds with the continuous change in the magnetic field that the sensor is exposed to, contributing to its role in monitoring conditions in electrical power generation and other machinery. This is distinct from direct current (DC), which does not change polarity over time, and rectified voltage, which involves converting AC into DC. Universal AC/DC would imply the ability to operate on both types of voltage, which doesn't typically pertain to the output of a magnetic pickup.