Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for failure mode detection in a contactor are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method for failure mode detection in a contactor includes maintaining the contactor command signal in the open state; connecting the contactor to a voltage supply that supplies a first predetermined voltage amount to the contactor; measuring a first amount of time for a magnitude of a coil current of the coil to exceed a first predetermined current threshold; determining whether the first amount of time exceeds a first predetermined time threshold; responsive to determining that the first amount of time does not exceed the first predetermined time threshold, determining that the contactor is in the open state; and responsive to determining that the first amount of time exceeds the first predetermined time threshold, determining that the contactor is in the closed state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a measuring device for measuring a physical quantity. The physical quantity could be a pressure and/or a force. The measuring device comprises a circular sensing structure comprising a membrane section which is deflected by force variations acting on the circular sensing structure. A first and second strain gauge are attached to the membrane section. The first strain gauge is configured to measure radial strain in a first surface area of the membrane section. The second strain gauge is configured to measure tangential strain in a second surface area of the membrane section. An increase in force acting on the sensing structure results in shrinking of the first surface area measured by the first strain gauge and stretching of the second surface area measured by the second strain gauge.