An approach to electrical resistance measurement eliminating contact resistance problem

Abstract

Electric conductivity is one of dominant parameters for improving electromagnetic shielding resistivity, reducing electrostatic charge accumulation and creating intelligent textile structures containing conductive tracks. Conductive fabrics have obtained increased attention mainly due to their desirable flexibility and lightweight. Knowledge of electrical properties of textile material (for example in fiber or yarn form) is very important especially for conductivity prediction of whole system “fiber - yarn - fabric” and subsequent design of product for specific application. Variety methods of measurement (ammeter and voltmeter, Wheatstone-bridge method) and many different arrangements of the material to be tested can be used. Bulldog clips are used most often to hold the yarn between electrodes. The contact resistance generated at measured material/metal bulldog clip interface creates measurement errors. This phenomenon leads to lower accuracy and reproducibility of measurements. The main aim of this work is introduction of innovated method eliminating contact resistance problem. This method is based on measurement of two and more sections of yarns and then electrical resistance calculation which is not loaded with measurement errors.