Characteristic curve

The characteristic curve describes the relationship between the force acting on a force transducer and the resulting electrical output signal.

It shows how the sensor’s output signal varies across the measuring range as a function of the applied force. The characteristic curve thus forms an important basis for the assessment and evaluation of the measurement signal.

Characteristic value [AE]

Output signal at nominal force Fnom, reduced by the zero signal in the installed state SFO. The characteristic value of a sensor with a full-bridge strain gauge is usually specified in mV/V (mV bridge signal per volt supply voltage). In conjunction with the nominal force, this results in the slope of the sensor's characteristic curve in the unit mV/V per N. The zero signal specified in the data sheet is not used to calculate the slope or to configure the measuring amplifier. Changes in the zero signal may indicate plastic deformation or ageing of the sensor. The characteristic curve is defined by a straight line that passes through the origin (0 mV/V, 0 N) and the value pair consisting of the characteristic value and the nominal force.

Characteristic value range [AE]

Range within which the characteristic value of the transducer lies. This specification is common for transducers with unadjusted characteristic values.

Nominal characteristic value [AE]

Target value (theoretical value) for the characteristic value

Zero signal in removed state [AE]

Output signal of the unloaded force transducer without installation parts

Zero signal in installed state [AE]

Output signal of the mechanically unloaded transducer with installation parts at the beginning of a load cycle