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Home / Tutorials / Strain Gauge

Strain Gauge
Last Updated on April 7, 2010 by john in Tutorials with 4 Comments

GEORGIN Rgulateurs
Pressure transmitters specialist for harsh environment

A strain gauge is a device that is used to measure the strain that occurs
in an object. The device was invented in the year 1938 by Edward E.
Simmons and Arthur Ruge. The device is still being used in many
electronic circuits mainly as the principle sensing element for sensors
like torque sensors, pressure sensors, load cells and so on.

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Strain Gauge working

Strain Gauge Working Principle

Although strain gauges are available in many shapes and sizes, the
fundamental working of this device is the same. They also vary in both
shape and size according to their field of application.
A strain gauge consists of a foil of resistive characteristics, which is
safely mounted on a backing material. When a known amount of stress
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in subjected on the resistive foil, the resistance of the foil changes

accordingly. Thus, there is a relation between the change in the

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resistance and the strain applied. This relation is known by a quantity

called gauge factor. The change in the resistance can be calculated with
the help of a Wheatstone bridge.
TAKE A LOOK : WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

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The strain gauge used is connected to the Wheatstone bridge with the

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The property of the strain gauge not only depends on the electrical

depends on the electrical conductance of the foil. This, in turn depends

on the material of the conductor. The electrical resistance of the foil
changes according to the change in the foil when it is stretched or
compressed. The stretching or compressing is considered normal as
long as there is no permanent change in the original appearance of the
foil. Stretching causes an increase in the resistance from one end to
other. Compressing causes a decrease in the resistance from one end
of the conductor to another. Basically, the conductor will be a long strip
with parallel lines with the condition that a little stress in the path of
the orientation of the parallel lines will cause a resultant bigger strain
multiplicatively over the effective length of the conductor. Thus a larger
resistance change will be obtained.

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The force applied to change elongate or shorten the strip can also be
calculated with the help of the obtained output resistance.

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An ideal strain gauge resistance varies from a few 3 ohms to 3 kilo

ohms when it is unstressed. This value will change by a small fraction
for the full force range of the gauge. It also depends on the elastic
limits of the foil material. If there are forces applied to such an extent
that they lose their original shape and size, the strain gauge will no
longer be fit to use as a measuring device. So measurement of small
fractional changes in the resistance must be taken accurately in order

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to use the strain gauge as a measuring device.

Applications
The voltage output in accordance to the stress is about a few millivolts.
This voltage can be amplified to about 10 volts and can be applied to
external data collection systems like recorders or PC data acquisition
and analysis systems.
Strain gauges can be used to measure the stress developed in
particular machinery and thus is used to mechanical engg. R&D.

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Gauge Factor Equation

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The gauge factor of a strain gauge is given be the equation

Inverters

The device is used aircraft component testing. Here also the measure
of stress is the main issue. For this, strain gauges of very small size are
connected to structural members, linkages and so on.

GF = [R/RG]/E
R Resistance produced by the strain
RG
Resistance of gauge before application of stress
E Strain produced

Types of Strain Gauges

This classification is based on the type of bridge circuit that is
connected to the strain gauge. There are mainly three types of
connections. They are

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1. Quarter Bridge Strain Gauge Circuit

As shown in the diagram below, the imbalance is detected by the
voltmeter in the center of the bridge circuit. The resistance R2 will be a
rheostat and hence adjustable. The value of this resistance is made
equal to the strain gauge resistance without the application of any
force. The resistances R1 and R3 will have equal values. Thus,
according to the Wheatstone bridge principle the entire circuit will be
balanced and the net force will be zero. Thus the strain will also be
zero. Now provide a compression or tension on the conductor and the
circuit will be imbalanced. Thus you will get a reading at the voltmeter.
Thus, the strain produced in response to the measured variable
(mechanical force), is known as a quarter-bridge circuit.
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Remote Circuits

Quarter bridge strain circuit

2. Half Bridge Strain Gauge Circuit

As shown in the circuit there are two strain gauges connected. If one of
them does not respond to the strain produced it becomes a quarter
bridge circuit. If both of them respond in such a way that both the
strain gauges experience opposite forces it becomes a half bridge
strain gauge circuit. By opposite forces, we mean that a compression
on the upper strain gauge makes a stretch on the lower strain gauge.
This causes both the gauges to make a better response to strain, thus
increasing the response of the bridge to the applied force. As both the
strain gauges act opposite and proportionally the response to the
changes in temperature will be cancelled thus reducing the errors due
to it.

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3. Full Bridge Strain Gauge Circuit

In the case of sensitivity, a half bridge strain circuit is more sensitive
than a quarter bridge circuit. The sensitivity can be increased if all the
elements of the bridge are active. Such a circuit is called full bridge
strain gauge circuit. The circuit is also advantageous in the fact that it
can be used to bond the complimentary pairs of strain gauges to the
testing specimen. Thus, this is considered to be the best bridge circuit
for strain measurement. The circuit is also advantageous because of its
linearity. That is, the output voltage is exactly directly proportional to
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the applied force. But in the case of a half bridge and quarter bridge
the output voltage is only approximately proportional to the applied
force. Take a look at the circuit diagram given below.

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4 thoughts on Strain Gauge

28,681likes

Seetharaman September 19, 2010 at 9:31 am

Hi JE kindly go through Vishay site
http://www.vishaypg.com/process-weighing/products/load-cellmodule-force-transducers/load-cells/

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Reply

junior engineer September 19, 2010 at 4:24 am

Hi there.. im new in this field, so i want to ask one question, may be
the easy question.. can u give some explanation about effective length
of strain gauge?? i getting confused.. thank you for your guide
Reply

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jawid akhtar March 20, 2010 at 9:35 am

Dear Author.
Hope you are doing fine.
Cn you please send me a complete practical electronic schematic of
1000watt ups based on PWM IC. Thanks
Reply

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