Mittauselimen

Mittauselimen (literally “measurement element” in Finnish) is the sensing component of a measurement system. It is the part that directly interacts with the quantity being measured (the measurand) and converts it into a signal that can be processed by data acquisition hardware.

A mittauselimen typically consists of a sensing element and a transduction mechanism. The sensing element responds to physical stimuli such as temperature, pressure, light, or acceleration, while the transduction converts that response into a usable signal—electrical, optical, or mechanical. Examples include piezoelectric sensors, resistive temperature detectors, capacitive pressure sensors, and photodetectors.

Performance is described by parameters such as sensitivity, linearity, range, resolution, accuracy, noise, bandwidth, and response time. Temperature dependence, drift, hysteresis, and calibration requirements affect how the mittauselimen behaves in real-world conditions. Calibration and traceability to standards are essential for reliable measurements.

In a measurement system, the mittauselimen is often accompanied by signal conditioning, amplification, and data conversion stages, sometimes integrating these functions into a single assembly. The term may refer specifically to the sensor element, or to a broader sensing module that includes electronics and packaging.

Applications include laboratory instrumentation, industrial process control, automotive and aerospace sensing, environmental monitoring, and consumer electronics.