A zone of zero response where an input can be reversed or altered without causing any movement in the driven component. In mechanical linkages, it is caused by clearances, wear, or backlash between gears and pins. In control valves, it prevents the system from hunting or oscillating around a setpoint.
Heard on the job
There's too much deadband in the steering linkage, so the operator has to turn the wheel a quarter inch before the tires move.
Insider tip
A small amount of deadband is often designed into servo valves to keep them from constantly chattering.
Also heard as
- dead zone
- neutral zone
Do not mix it up with
- Lash: Lash is the physical clearance between mating parts, while deadband is the resulting loss of motion or signal response.