Terms are for industrial-based sensors and transducers. For Aerospace terms & definitions, please refer to Applications Notes & White Papers or refer to LVDT, RVDT and Force Sensor data sheets.

Mass Flow Rate – flow rate expressed as fluid mass per unit time.

Maximum Excitation – the maximum value of supply voltage or current that can be applied to the transducer at room conditions without causing damage or performance degradation beyond specified tolerances.

Non-Linearity – see Linearity.

Null – the condition when the pressure on each side of the sensing diaphragm is equal.

Null Offset – the electrical output present when the pressure transducer is at null.

Null Output – see Zero Pressure Output.

Null Temperature Shift – the change in null output value due to a change in temperature.

Offset – see Zero Pressure Offset.

Operating Pressure Range – the range of pressure between minimum and maximum pressures at which the output will meet the specified operating characteristics.

Operating Temperature Range – the range of temperature between minimum and maximum temperature at which the output will meet the specified operating characteristics.

Output Impedance – the impedance across the output terminals of a transducer presented by the transducer to the associated external circuitry.

Output Noise – the rms, peak-to-peak (as specified) AC component of transducers DC output in the absence of a change in input pressure.

Overpressure – see Proof Pressure.

Partial Pressure – the pressure exerted by one constituent of a mixture of gases.

Piezoresistance – a resistive element that changes resistance, relative to the applied stress it experiences (e.g. strain gauge).

Pressure – a force per unit area.

Pressure Error – the maximum difference between true pressure and the inferred from the output for any pressure I the operating pressure range.

Pressure Hysteresis – the difference in output at any given pressure in the operating pressure range when this pressure is approached from the minimum operating pressure and when approached from the maximum operating pressure at room temperature.

Pressure Range – the minimum and maximum pressure that the transducer is calibrated or specified.

Pressure Sensor – a device that converts an input pressure, into an electrical output.

Proof Pressure – the specified pressure that may be applied to the sensing element of a transducer causing a permanent change in the output characteristics.

Quiescent Supply Current – the supply current being drawn, when the pressure transducer is at null.