CTC Test Instrumentation and Measurement Systems Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of a signal conditioner in a CTC test instrumentation setup?

Answer: To amplify, filter, and convert raw sensor signals into a usable format for data acquisition systems

Signal conditioners amplify, filter, and convert raw sensor outputs so the data acquisition system can accurately record and interpret the measurements.

During a CTC test, a strain gauge reads a value outside its calibrated range. What is the correct immediate action?

Answer: Flag the data channel as suspect and notify the Test Director before proceeding

Out-of-range readings must be flagged and reported to the Test Director immediately so a GO/NO-GO decision can be made before the test continues.

Which term describes the maximum frequency of a signal that can be accurately captured by a digital data acquisition system according to the Nyquist theorem?

Answer: Half the sampling rate of the system

The Nyquist theorem states the signal frequency must be less than half the sampling rate to avoid aliasing errors.

A CTC must verify instrument calibration traceability. What does traceability mean in this context?

Answer: Calibration is traceable to a recognized national standard such as NIST

Traceability means the calibration chain can be linked back to a recognized national metrology standard (e.g., NIST) through an unbroken comparison.

What is the purpose of a shunt calibration check on a strain gauge bridge?

Answer: To verify the sensitivity of the measurement system without physically loading the structure

A shunt calibration inserts a known resistor in parallel to simulate a predictable bridge imbalance, verifying system sensitivity without applying physical load.

Which instrumentation specification defines the smallest detectable change in a measured value?

Answer: Resolution

Resolution is the smallest increment of change that an instrument can detect and display in its output.