A circuit for measuring a capacitive charge comprises a latched comparator and a determination module. The apparatus is adapted to perform non-contact material characterization on at least a portion of the wafer carrier, including the substrates disposed thereon. The apparatus and method can further comprise a display module for displaying detailed information relating to the operational status of the snow removal equipment. The output mechanism of each of the planetary gearsets includes a different gear ratio between the output mechanism and the transmission output shaft. The methods include coating the contact surfaces of implantable articles with bioabsorbable lubricating coatings. By the relative movement of the main block and the GND block, the core conductor and the board receiving portion are caused to approach or be separated from each other so that the board can be inserted and sandwiched therebetween.