SparkFun Load Cell Amplifier - HX711

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

breakout

A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.

electromagnetic interference

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is unwanted electrical noise from nearby devices, cables, or radio signals that can disturb the signals carried in a wire or circuit. Shielding helps reduce this noise, which matters because cleaner signals make data and communication links less prone to errors and dropouts.

GND

GND is the ground or reference connection (0 V) for a circuit. When connecting two devices together, their grounds must be joined so both agree on what counts as a low or high signal.

GPIO

General-purpose input/output pins are microcontroller pins you can set in software to read signals, switch devices on and off, or connect to peripherals. The number of GPIO pins matters because it limits how many buttons, LEDs, sensors, and other parts you can wire directly to the board.

microcontroller

A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.

Shield

An add-on board that plugs into a main controller board to give it extra features such as sensing, motor control or communication. Knowing a product supports shields helps you judge whether it can connect neatly into an existing maker-board setup.

Strain gauge

A strain gauge is a sensor element whose electrical resistance changes when it is stretched or compressed. It is commonly used to measure force, weight, pressure or bending, and because its resistance change is small it usually needs precise differential measurement electronics such as a high-resolution ADC.

VCC

VCC is the positive power-supply connection on a chip or module. Connecting it to the correct supply voltage is needed for the part to power on and helps avoid damaging the electronics.