Why Digital Clocks Are Superior To Analog Clocks

By Author: Oliver Trundle
Total Articles: 1
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Many people have come to rely on the easy-to-read features of digital timepieces. In fact, they are used in many products such as cameras and televisions because they provide additional certainty: the knowledge that the time displayed should be accurate.

With their crystal oscillating components, these systems send an electric charge through the crystal. This makes the crystal change shape, causing it to emit a sound that is then converted into an electrical signal that the clock or other device interprets. The advantage is that this design allows multiple systems, such as keeping time and recording temperature, to co-exist.

Analog clock systems, on the other hand, process information in a continuous stream. Although this may, on the surface, appears to be an advantage, it is, in fact, due to its configuration, in a constant state of flux. For example, if it is one and half minutes past the hour, an analog clock will display the minutes by showing in-between markers. Although this may seem a small problem, when timing something that requires accuracy, the guesswork required when using this type of clock can result ...
... in errors.

There are two types of analog timepieces. The first is mechanical, which keeps a record of the time with the use of gears, a mainspring, and some sort of pendulum. These require winding as they run without electricity. As a result, they are often less accurate.

The second type is quartz. This one works by squeezing a quartz crystal in order to generate an electrical charge. Squeezing the crystal causes it to vibrate at a rate of 32,768 times per second. These vibrations are counted and the clock sends a pulse every second. This is what makes the gears move. Although more reliable, quartz analog clocks still have their limitations.

In order to expand uses for digital timepieces, designs have been enhanced to include those that also show fractions of minutes as opposed to only the hour and minute. They have become so detailed that thousandth or millions of a second can also be displayed. One of the most important features of digital clocks, however, is the fact that, just like a computer, these timepieces process, store, and manipulate data quickly and easily. They can also be converted to analog signals, as opposed to analog clocks, which require complex tasks to convert information into digital form.

The wave of the future is coming in digital form, and digital clocks are obviously becoming more popular than analog clocks.

Computers and many other devices used on a daily basis are already using the digital format. Although changing from a familiar analog-driven timepiece may be difficult, many people purchasing digital clocks for the first time will soon discover why digital clocks are superior to analog clocks.

For those who are trying to decide between the two, the first thing to consider is what you want from your timepiece.

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