Advantages and disadvantages of force sensor-Load cell,piezoresistive

This page covers advantages and disadvantages of force sensor. It mentions force sensor advantages and force sensor disadvantages. It covers advantages and disadvantages of load cell and piezoresistive force sensor types.

Definition: As per law of Newton when force is applied to the body, it generates acceleration ('a') in the body in the direction of the force ('F') . It is expressed by F = m*a where, m is the mass of the body. The force is a vector quantity and measured in units of newton.

The force sensors are divided into two broad categories viz. quantitative and qualitative. The quantitive sensor which measures the force and represents it in electrical form is known as force sensor.
Examples: Strain gauge, load cell etc.

force sensor

Various methods are employed in the force sensor to measure the force. Refer Force Sensor basics >> for more information.

Advantages of force sensor | Disadvantages of force sensor | Load cell, piezoresistive

Following are the advantages of force sensor and disadvantages of force sensor of load cell and piezoresistive types.

force sensor type Advantages Disadvantages
Load cell ➨It is easily available.
➨It has better accuracy which is <0.1% of the full scale.
➨It is usually calibrated by the manufacturers or vendors.
➨It is bulky in size.
➨It is rigid in construction.
➨It requires expensive electronics.
piezoresistive ➨It is very thin and flexible in construction.
➨It uses inexpensive electronics.
➨It is readily available and can be customized.
➨It is light in weight.
➨It requires low power for its operation.
➨It has lower accuracy ( about +/-5% full scale) compare to load cell.
➨It requires calibration by user.

Advantages and Disadvantages of other Sensor Types

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