力传感器或力换能器是用于精确测量拉/压力的测量元件。
压电式力传感器是一种基于压电测量原理的传感器，适用于测量（高度）动态力和准静态力。压电式力传感器输出信号时，会将施加于其内部石英晶体上的力转换为相应比例的电荷，随后，，再由下游电荷放大器将该等电荷转换为可评估过程信号。量程范围广、测量精度稳定，是压电测量元件的独特优势之一，因此，超大型压电传感器也能用于测量微小力，同时还能保证稳定的测量精度。此外，压电式传感器还具备良好的过载保护能力，即使开展小量程测量，也无需采取额外保护措施。
另一方面，力换能器是一种基于应变计原理的传感器，适用于测量静态和准静态拉/压力。此外，力换能器还可用于称重和扭矩测定。
如今，这两个术语含义相同，并无明确区别。
Piezoelectric force sensors are based on the piezoelectric measurement principle. They are suitable for measuring (highly) dynamic and quasistatic forces. The force acting on the quartz built into the sensor generates a proportional charge at the signal output. A downstream charge amplifier converts this into a process signal that can be evaluated. One of the special advantages of the piezoelectric measurement element is its constant measurement accuracy over a wide measuring range: thus, it is possible to use a very large sensor to measure the smallest of forces – with constant measurement accuracy. Piezoelectric sensors are also characterized by a high level of overload protection, eliminating the need for protective measures, especially in low measuring ranges.
Force transducers, on the other hand, are sensors that are based on the strain gauge principle. They are suitable for the measurement of static and quasistatic tensile and compression forces. Force transducers can also be used for weighing and for determining torques.
All terms are now used universally, which is why it is not possible to establish a clear delineation.
