What is Calibration, and Why Is It Important?
Calibration Calibration in measurement technology is the evaluation of measurement values that is delivered by a device that can deliver a calibration standard of known accuracy. Think of this standard as another measurement device of known accuracy. This device would generate the quantity that would be measured, such as voltage. The outcome of the comparison can result in three possible outcomes: no significant error is noted on the device that is being tested, a significant error was noted but no adjustments were made, or an adjustment was made to correct the error to an acceptable level. BIPM The International [...]
History of Measurements
The History of Measurements Measurement, loosely defined is the length, amount, or size of something that is measured. Long ago, the idea of a universal measuring system didn’t exist. That was, until the 18th century where measurement became a cohesive system. Before this period, countries such as France had measuring systems for nearly every profession. In 1795 the number of measurements in France alone numbered well over seven hundred. The names for many units of measurement were borrowed from human morphology. For example, the foot, the hand, the pace, etc. Still, however, these units of measurement were not standardized. [...]
Electronic & RF / Radio Frequency Noise
What is RF Noise? RF noise (radio frequency noise) is unwanted electromagnetic interference that appears across the frequency spectrum in electronic systems. Understanding what is rf noise is crucial for anyone working with electronic equipment, as it directly affects system performance and signal quality. Radio frequency sound and noise frequency characteristics vary significantly depending on the source and application. RF noise manifests as random fluctuations that can mask desired signals, cause data errors, and limit overall system capabilities. Understanding Noise Frequency Characteristics Frequency Noise Types and Their Spectrum Noise frequencies are categorized based on their frequency distribution patterns: White [...]
Capacitor Characteristics
Capacitor Characteristics Capacitors are often defined by their many characteristics. These characteristics ultimately determine a capacitors specific application, temperature, capacitance range, and voltage rating. The sheer number of capacitor characteristics are bewildering. Furthermore, it can be very difficult to interpret and understand the information printed onto the body of a capacitor. Capacitors come in various types or families, and each of these groups has their own identification system and characteristics. Some of these systems are easy to interpret. However, other systems are inundated with symbols, letters, and colors that can be confusing to comprehend. Identifying a capacitor's characteristics typically [...]
Types of Capacitors
Capacitors are fundamental components in electronic circuits, storing and releasing electrical energy as needed. Their primary function is to store electrical charge and release it when required—making them essential for filtering, smoothing, timing, and energy storage in a wide range of electrical and electronic systems. What Capacitors Are Used For Capacitors serve several purposes: Energy storage for power conditioning Smoothing fluctuations in power supply Filtering signals in communication systems Coupling and decoupling AC and DC signals Timing circuits in oscillators and signal generators Applications of Capacitors You’ll find capacitors in nearly every electrical application, including: Consumer electronics (radios, [...]
Capacitors
A Tutorial on Capacitors Introduction A capacitor is a passive electrical component comprised of two terminals. And together with inductors and resistors, they are the most basic components used inelectrical circuits. For a fact, it’s quite rare to come across a circuit that doesn’t have a capacitor. Fig 1: Different types of capacitors Source:Eric Schrader from San Francisco, CA, United States, Capacitors (7189597135), CC BY-SA 2.0 In case you are wondering, capacitors are pretty special because they can store energy, just like an electric battery that’s fully charged. Caps, as we normally call them,have plenty of vital circuit applications. Some of their most [...]
Laser Safety Standards
Handling lasers can be dangerous to the user. That’s why safety measures have been put in place as a form of protection. IEC 60825-1 has become the standard of laser products on an international level and is seen as a common safety standard in countries that belong to the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). CDRH The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) is a bureau established under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Department of Health and Human Resources. It has fallen upon the CDRH to regulate manufactured laser products to increase [...]
Warpage and Flatness
When attempting to measure warpage and flatness, you should consider the measurement system being used and the environment where it’s being installed. Always select the right type of equipment during this process. Selecting the wrong kind of equipment can lead to increased man-hours during the production process and insufficient precision. How to Measure Warpage and Flatness Flatness Measurement of Chassis To measure warpage and flatness, you have to determine the difference in height attained by several sensor heads at different locations on the part. In this instance, you won’t experience any measurement errors that are typically caused by chattering [...]