Electrical Methods of Force Measurement

Abstract

The nonelectric force measuring methods are history already. Anyway, the mechanic, pneumatic or hydraulic devices do not have the sensitivity of the electronic ones, as no physical phenomenon directly transforms force into electric signal [2.1]. Force is a mechanical measurand, and its applying modifies the electric, magnetic, acoustic and/or optical properties of specific materials. The key component within the measurement system is the transducer (Fig. 2.1), which can use various measurement principles or methods. The most convenient description of the transducer field is offered by the physics-oriented approach [2.2]. There are generally accepted six signal domains containing the main physical parameters: mechanical (acoustic included), thermal, electrical, magnetic, radiant (optical), and chemical.