Glossary - S

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Sensing Element

That part of the transducer, which reacts directly in response to the input.

Sensitivity

The minimum change in input signal to which an instrument can respond.
For example, this is the relationship between the change in strain gauge output to the level or magnitude of the SGA output.

Single Card Assembly

For example the SGA has only the one Printed Circuit Board assembly on which all the components are mounted.
http://www.mantracourt.co.uk/products/Amplifiers_Digitisers/SGA

Span

Span is otherwise identified as GAIN. It relates to the proportional output to the sensor input.

Span Adjustment

The ability to adjust the gain of a process or strain meter so that a specified display span in engineering units corresponds to a specified signal span. For instance, a display span of 200°F may correspond to the 16 mA span of a 4-20 mA transmitter signal.

Stability

The quality of an instrument or sensor to maintain a consistent output when a constant input is applied.

Strain Gauge

The strain gauge is a resistance bridge device where the bridge value alters linearly and proportionally to the force exerted on it – be it temperature, pressure, torque or load. For example the SGA is designed to convert this change to a proportional electrical signal.

Signal Conditioner/Conditioning

A signal conditioner is a device that converts one type of electronic signal into a another type of signal. Its primary use is to convert a signal that may be difficult to read by conventional instrumentation into a more easily read format. In performing this conversion a number of functions may take place. For example
A circuit module that offsets attenuates, amplifies, linearizes and/or filters the signal for input to an A/D converter. A typical output signal conditioning is 4-20 mA.
The SGA is essentially a Signal Conditioner –more specifically known as a Strain Gauge Amplifier - in that it conditions (alters) the input signal from a load cell to an electrical output.


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