Industrial Terminology Glossary – M
Magnetic Separator
A process in which magnetically susceptible material is extracted from a mixture using a magnetic force
An instrument used for gauging the pressure of a fluid. It typically consists of a U-shaped glass tube containing a liquid, such as mercury. Read More…
Mass
Rough measure of the number of atoms in an object. The SI standard unit of mass is the kilogram.
Mass Comparator
A device used to compare ultra accurate units of mass for certification purposes. Often houses a weighing chamber fully enclosed in multiple draft shields.
Megohmmeter
A type of Ohmeter designed to measure high resistance values, typically used to measure the resistance of insulators.
Melting Point
The temperature at which a solid will melt into a liquid
Metal Detector (Industrial)
An electronic device which controls a mechanism on a production line that will remove items containing metal from production. Often used in food or pharmaceutical packaging plants to ensure products are not contaminated with metal in the packaging process.
Metal Film Resistor
An axial-type resistor which uses a metal film deposited on a non-conductive material (usually ceramic) as a resistive element.
Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV)
A discrete electrical component which acts as a surge suppressor by shunting excess voltage to the ground or neutral line.
Metrology
The science and study of measurement, establishing common understanding of units, practice of measurement, and traceability.
Micatemp
A high temperature (1200°F) thermal insulation material, often used to coat wires designed for use in high temperature environments.
Micro (µ)
In the SI measurement system, indicates one millionth (0.000001) of a unit of measure. For example, 1 microamp (µA) is equal to 0.000001 Amps.
A tool for precision measurement used to gauge small distances, typically within the range of 0.025 to 25 millimeters (0.001 to 1 inch). Read More…
Microscope
An instrument used for seeing objects and observing organisms too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Microvolts Per Graduation
Number of microvolts the load cell must send to increment the display by one division.
Milli (m)
In the SI measurement system, indicates one thousandth (0.001) of a unit of measure. For example, 1 milliamp (mA) is equal to 0.001 Amps.
Mineral Insulated
A term used to express a swaged or drawn thermocouple construction where a mineral oxide insulation, usually magnesium oxide or aluminum oxide, is densely compacted in a sheath for rugged bendable high temperature, sensor construction.
Minimum Dead Load (Load Cells)
NTEP standards dictating that the minimum load on each cell must be greater than the specified minimum dead load.
Minimum Weight (Counting Scales)
Typically used in counting scales, this refers to the minimum weight the individual pieces being measured must weigh.
Mirror Scale
Analog meter scale with a mirror arc that enables alignment of the eye’s line of sight perpendicular to the scale when taking a reading. Reduces parallax error and considerably improves reading accuracy.
A device used to determine the moisture level within a specimen through a process of drying and subsequent weighing before and after the drying cycle. Read More…
Most Significant Digit (MSD)
Leftmost digit of a number string which represents the largest incremental value in the string. For example, in the number 2476.341, the 2 is the MSD.
Motion Band
In a scale with motion detection, the motion band sets the level in display divisions that motion is detected. If motion is not detected for a period of time (usually 1 second), the standstill annunciator lights.
Motion detection in weighing scales represents an electronic mechanism engineered to discern fluctuations in the weight under evaluation. Read More…
Mueller Bridge
A four-wire lead compensated Bridge used for laboratory calibration of RTDs (accuracies in the milliohm region).
An electronic tool used for the measurement of three essential electrical parameters: voltage, current, and resistance. Read More…
Multiplex
A switching technique which allows different input (or output) signals to use the same lines at different times, controlled by an external signal. Multiplexing is used to save on wiring and I/O ports.
