Force gauges are common measuring instruments used in almost all industries to measure the forces in push or pull tests. They are used in research and development, production and quality laboratory environments. A digital force gauge is essentially a handheld instrument that contains a complete load sensor, electronics and display screen.

The correct use of a push-pull force gauge is simple, but failure to follow some basic guidelines can result in damage to the instrument and incorrect or inconsistent results. In most tests of manufactured components, it is important that the load is applied relative to the axis of the instrument. If this is not the case, there is a risk of damage to the load sensor, or the displayed force reading may be skewed due to the angle of measurement.

Another point to consider is that digital push-pull force gauge should not be used to measure shock loads. Sudden increases in force may not be measured very accurately, and push-pull force gauges are most effective during longer tests. A steady speed is an important factor. Depending on the test speed, the sample may require more or less force to achieve the purpose of the test. Whatever the speed, it should be consistent so that subsequent tests can be compared based on the same parameters.