Cable (String) Fundamental Frequency Calculator

This calculator provides the fundamental frequency of a cable (string) under tension.

What is the Purpose of This Calculator?

Draw wire transducers (also referred to as wire sensors and cable displacement transducers) are subject to the same laws of physics as musical instruments. As such, the cables on these sensors have fundamental frequencies that may cause the cable to resonate. While such resonance is very rare and difficult to achieve, it is possible. The purpose of the above calculator is to provide a tool to estimate the fundamental frequency of Firstmark Controls position transducer cables.

The fundamental frequency of a position transducer cable can change based on the amount of cable exposed to the excitation source and the cable tension which varies according to the displacement of the cable.

The fundamental frequency of most Firstmark Controls position transducer cables is rather high due to 3 factors:

• small mass of the cable per unit length
• relatively short length of cable exposed to the excitation source
• relatively high cable tension

Fundamental frequency and the harmonics associated with that frequency.

Related Resources

• Standing Waves on a String
• Resonance and Standing Waves
• Resonance in Strings and Springs

Other calculators:

• Thermal Effect
• Sinusoidal Motion
• Displacement Cable Sag (Catenary Curve)
• Position Transducer Linearity (Calibration)
• Sensor Total Cost of Ownership
• Voltage Conditioner Zero-Span Calculator
• Potentiometer-Based Position Transducer Voltage Divider and Power Calculator

No Warranties: This calculator and information are provided "as is" without any warranty, condition, or representation of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, any warranty respecting non-infringement, and the implied warranties of conditions of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Firstmark Controls be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or other damages howsoever caused whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the information contained on this Web page.