Spannbreite

Spannbreite is a term used in electrical engineering to denote the voltage span or voltage range that a device can handle, output, or measure. It is typically defined as the difference between the upper and lower voltages within which the device operates according to its specifications. In measuring instruments, the Spannbreite is closely related to the measurement range or the selectable ranges provided by range-switching features; in power supplies, it describes the adjustable output voltage span.

The term appears across various equipment such as multimeters, data acquisition systems, sensors, and signal conditioning circuits. The Spannbreite is determined by design elements including supply rails, input protection circuits, amplification and attenuation stages, and calibration settings. A wider Spannbreite can cover larger signals but may reduce resolution or accuracy within each sub-range. Conversely, a narrower Spannbreite typically allows higher precision over a restricted voltage window.

Manufacturers specify Spannbreite as a voltage range, often accompanied by the corresponding accuracy, resolution, and allowable load. Devices with multiple ranges enable users to select the appropriate Spannbreite for a given measurement; switching between ranges can introduce small offsets or nonlinearities at transition points.

In practical terms, Spannbreite is distinct from bandwidth, which refers to frequency response. The common English equivalents are voltage range or span. In German-language documentation, related terms such as Messbereich or Spannbereich are used with similar meanings.