Nullinngang

Nullinngang is a Norwegian term used in electronics and metrology to describe an input intended for nulling, meaning it is used to bring a device’s output to a defined reference level, typically zero. The concept is central to calibration and offset compensation in measurement chains.

The primary purpose of a nullinngang is to remove unwanted offsets, biases, drift, or common-mode voltages from signals. By providing a stable reference input or connection for calibration, instruments such as instrumentation amplifiers, sensor front ends, analog-to-digital converters, and some audio equipment can achieve more accurate readings.

Implementation of a nullinngang varies by device. It may be a dedicated hardware pin or connector that accepts a reference signal (often ground) or a built-in adjustment point (for example, a trim potentiometer or a software-controlled offset). In practice, calibration involves applying the reference to the nullinngang and adjusting controls until the output reaches the specified reference level, commonly zero.

In use, nulling is closely related to concepts such as offset nulling, balance points in instrumentation, and null detectors. For example, in a Wheatstone bridge, the null point represents a balance where the output is zero. Temperature drift, component tolerances, and aging can affect null accuracy, so periodic re-nulling is often part of maintenance.

Etymology derives from null (zero) and inngang (input). The term is most common in Norwegian technical literature and in contexts dealing with precision instrumentation and calibration procedures.