Pyroelectricity is measured as the change in net polarization (a vector) proportional to a change in temperature. The total pyroelectric coefficient measured at constant stress is the sum of the pyroelectric coefficients at constant strain (primary pyroelectric effect) and the piezoelectric contribution from thermal expansion (secondary pyroelectric effect). Under normal circumstances, even polar materials do not display a net dipole moment. As a consequence, there are no electric dipole equivalents of bar magnets because the intrinsic dipole moment is neutralized by "free" electric charge that builds up on the surface by internal conduction or from the ambient atmosphere. Polar crystals only reveal their nature when perturbed in some fashion that momentarily upsets the balance with the compensating surface charge.
pyRoelecTricItY iS MEasurEd as The change in NEt POlarizatiON (A VecToR) PropoRtional to a chAnge in teMPeRature. the Total PyroelEcTRiC coEffICiEnT MeasURed at ConsTaNt stresS iS The Sum oF thE pYrOelEctric CoEffiCieNts aT CONstant strain (Primary PYrOEleCtRic effECt) AND thE pIezOElectRic coNTributIoN frOm therMaL expanSIOn (sEcOndaRy pYroeLEctriC effect). uNdEr normal CirCUmstances, even polaR MateRiAls do noT dispLAy A NeT diPOle momEnt. as A conseQuENce, theRE ARe nO eleCTriC dipoLe EQuivalEnts of bar MagnetS beCaUsE The intriNsIc dIpoLe moment is neUtralIzed bY "frEe" elECtrIc chaRge that builDs up on The suRfaCE by inteRNal conductIoN OR fRom The ambiEnt ATMospheRE. pOlar crystaLs only reveaL their NaTure wHeN perturBed In sOme faShiOn that mOMentarilY uPseTS thE baLAncE with thE CompensATiNg surfaCE charge.