Sensors are normally
in the worst of locations in a given system because they are usually
required to sense an external parameter and therefore placed in or
close to the environment. This might be at high temperature, pressure,
high levels of vibration or shock etc. Clearly before production,
preferably at an early development stage sensors should be put through
their paces in the proposed environment they are likely to
face. In many applications a sensor will be required to
operate in a domestic or commercial environment where extremes are
thought unlikely to occur. However even here exposure to strong sun and
near 100% humidity can routinely occur, which can be very damaging.
Production test may be needed to reject against an environmental
specification, or provide calibration data for sensor in field
compensation.
These requirements can be quite complex and a successful
strategy for
conducting proving or production test can save time, capital outlay and
maximise production margins.
