What To Know About Slope Indicator

The angle of depression, elevation, and tilt is measured using a device called a gradiometer. The pull of gravity is used as the point of reference in measurements. Level meter, slope indicator, declinometer, inclinometer, gradiometer, gradient meter, and clinometer are some of the other names used to refer to the instrument in various places. Topo, percentage, and degrees are the main units of measurement that most devices use. A device may use all three units of measurement or not.

Declinometers are used in measuring both negative and positive angular tilt from some mean point. Before renaissance started, navigation and location of astronomical objects was done by a certain kind of declinometer referred to as an astrolabe. The application of astrolabes reduced after renaissance and it is rare to find people who still use them.

The use of inclinometers began a long time ago and they are still in use today. At the time of their invention, they had limited use and they were used for a few functions. However, as technology continued to advance, they gained popularity and the number of functions they were put to increased. Old versions were simple instruments that only performed a single function. Current-day models are whole systems that can perform several functions at ago.

There is a lot of sophistication in current gadgets because of advancements in technology. Current technology makes their construction and design much easier. Further, there are many gadgets in use today which need clinometers in order to work well. The number of manufacturers in the world has also increased which makes availability and complexity to increase.

Tilt indicators find many different uses in many fields of work. Examples of major implementations of the gadget include pendulums, electrolytic among, and accelerometer many others. Areas of use are also many and they include aircraft flight control, boom angle indication, cameras, specialty switches, automobile security systems, and platform leveling. The functioning of the device is based on a simple principle, that is, generation of an artificial horizon. All angles are then measured in respect to that artificial horizon.

The device can be used for several functions today. Some of the major functions include alerting a system operator that it may tip off, surveying, indicating deviation from horizontal or vertical, and in safety systems in some automobiles among others. Like stated earlier, the applications have grown and uses are in all industries.

Care should be exercised when selecting an inclinometer to ensure that accuracy is high because it is an important aspect. Factors that affect accuracy are many and they include sensitivity, sensor linearity, technology used, model, repeatability, zero offset, and temperature. The factors mentioned above do not cause effect singly. They happen together. Accuracy is higher in digital versions than in analogue ones. Some digital models can have 0.0001 degree accuracy.

Placing the device inside a casing can also determine accuracy and general functioning. Accuracy can be affected greatly by certain casings and should be avoided. The casing chosen should also be made of durable material to improve durability of the device.