Strain Gauges
Strain Gauges
Strain Gauges
Strain Gauges
The strain gauge has been in use for many years and is the fundamental sensing element for many types of sensors, including pressure sensors, load cells, torque sensors, position sensors, etc. The majority of strain gauges are foil types, available in a wide choice of shapes and sizes to suit a variety of applications. They consist of a pattern of resistive foil which is mounted on a backing material. They operate on the principle that as the foil is subjected to stress, the resistance of the foil changes in a defined way.
The strain gauge is connected into a Wheatstone Bridge circuit with a combination of four active gauges (full bridge), two gauges (half bridge), or, less commonly, a single gauge (quarter bridge). In the half and quarter circuits, the bridge is completed with precision resistors. The complete Wheatstone Bridge is excited with a stabilized DC supply and with additional conditioning electronics, can be zeroed at the null point of measurement. As stress is applied to the bonded strain gauge, a resistive change takes place and unbalances the Wheatstone Bridge. This results in a signal output, related to the stress value. As the signal value is small, (typically a few millivolts) the signal conditioning electronics provides amplification to increase the signal level to 5 to 10 volts, a suitable level for application to external data collection systems such as recorders or PC Data Acquisition and Analysis Systems.
Some of the many Gauge Patterns available Most manufacturers of strain gauges offer extensive ranges of differing patterns to suit a wide variety of applications in research and industrial projects. They also supply all the necessary accessories including preparation materials, bonding adhesives, connections tags, cable, etc. The bonding of strain gauges is a skill and training courses are offered by some suppliers. There are also companies which offer bonding and calibration services, either as an in-house or on-site service. Details and Specifications See the attached catalog from Omega for details and specifications. Strain gauges must be rated for an excitation voltage of +10V and a nominal resistance between 300 and 10k as required by the signal conditioner described below. It is also important to match the temperature characteristics of the strain gauge with the material it is bonded to.
Signal Conditioning
The low voltage output from the strain gauges must be amplified and filtered before sent to an analog to digital converter on the DSP. The 5B38 is a wide-bandwidth single-channel signal conditioning module that interfaces, amplifies, and filters signals from full-bridge and half-bridge straingage transducers between 300 and 10 k . The module provides an isolated bridge excitation of +10 V and a protected, isolated precision output of -5 V to +5 V. The 10 kHz bandwidth of the module ideally suits to measure signals that vary rapidly with time, such as strain on an automobile chassis during a crash test. The 5B38 protects the computer side from damage due to field-side overvoltage faults. The module withstands 240 V rms at its input terminals without damage, thereby shielding computer-side circuitry from field-side overvoltage conditions. In addition, the 5B38 is mix-and-match and hot-swappable with all 5B Series modules, so can be inserted or removed from any socket in the same backplane without disrupting system power. The 5B38-04 contains bridge completion circuitry, so can function with half-bridge strain gages. For quarter-bridge requirements, the user must complete the bridge input to the half-bridge level externally. The factory can configure the module for a wide range of input ranges (sensitivities).
Model
5B38-02 5B38-04 5B38-05
Sensitivity
3 mV/V 3 mV/V 2 mV/V
Output Range
-5 V to +5 V -5 V to +5 V -5 V to +5 V
5B38 Specifications
Description Model 5B38 Full Bridge Input Ranges
Standard Ranges Custom Ranges Output Ranges (RL > 50 k ) 20 mV (2 mV/V Sensitivity) 30 mV (3 mV/V Sensitivity) 10 mV to 500 mV -5 V to +5 V 30 mV (3 mV/V Sensitivity) * *
Accuracy2
Initial @ +25C Nonlinearity Input Offset vs. Temperature Output Offset vs. Temperature Gain vs. Temperature Excitation Voltage Output @ full load Load Range Load Regulation vs. Temperature Half Bridge Voltage Level Half Bridge Voltage vs. Temperature Input Bias Current 0.08% Span 10 V RTI 0.02% Span 1 V/C 40 V/C 25 ppm of Reading/C +10 V 3 mV 10 k , minimum; 300 , maximum 0.08% Span 1 mV RTI * * * * * * * * +5 V 1 mV 15 ppm/C *
Input Resistance
Power On Power Off Overload 20 M 40 k 40 k , minimum , minimum , minimum * * *
Noise
Input, 0.1 Hz to 10 Hz Bandwidth Input, 10 kHz Bandwidth Output, 100 kHz Bandwidth Bandwidth, -3 dB Output Rise Time, 10% to 90% Span Output Settling Time, to 0.1% 0.4 V rms 70 nV/ 10 kHz 40 s 250 s Hz 2 V rms 250 nV/ * * * 7 ms Hz
10 mV peak-peak
Transient
ANSI/IEEE C37.90.1-1989
*
*
* Same as full -bridge version. 1 Includes the combined effects of repeatability, hysteresis, and nonlinearity. Loads heavier than 50 k will degrade nonlinearity and gain temperature coefficient. 2 The output common must be kept within 3 V of power common. Specifications subject to change without notice.
Sources and Pricing Strain Gauges (Omega, www.omega.com): $79.00 (10) SG-7/350-LY11 Uniaxial, use with steel $79.00 (10) SG-7/350-LY13 Uniaxial, use with aluminum $155.00 (5) SG-7/350-XY11 Perpendicular grid, use with steel $155.00 (5) SG-7/350-XY13 Perpendicular grid, use with aluminum See attached catalog from Omega for additional strain gauges.
Signal Conditioning (Analog Devices, www.analog.com): $135.00/ea. 5B38
Wiring Diagrams
Figure 1 depicts the connection and design of the 5B38 signal conditioners. Notice that pins +EXE, HI, LO, and EXE can be connected in various ways depending on the strain gauge configuration, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows how to connect the signal conditioner to +/-5V ADC input. Note that the AD7862-10 ADC chip found on our daughter card supports +/-10V ADC.
Interface Code
Clearly, interfacing with strain gauges with the above configuration is trivial. Using the existing read_ADCs() function, one can simply convert the ADC values to strain measurements with a linear calibration factor. #define STRAIN_CALIB_FACTOR1 = 1000; #define STRAIN_CALIB_FACTOR2 = 1000; // calibration factor // calibration factor
void sample_strain(float *strain1, float *strain2) { float adc1, adc2; read_ADCs(&adc1,&adc2); strain1=adc1/STRAIN_CALIB_FACTOR1; strain2=adc2/STRAIN_CALIB_FACTOR2; }
SG SERIES
Foil strain gages are constructed by embedding a foil measuring element into a carrier. Foil measuring grid Carrier Substrate thickness Cover thickness Connection dimensions in (mm) [in]
KFG SERIES
Constantan foil 5 m thick Polyimide 50 m 25 m Solder pads or ribbon leads (30 long x.05 thick x 3 wide) [1.2 long x .002 thick x .012 wide] Stated in to order box 0.5% Approximately 2.0 1.0% 23C/73F -30 to 250C (-22 to 482F) -30 to 300C (-22 to 572F) 11 ppmC (6.1 ppmF) 23 ppmC (12.8 ppmF) 20 ppmC (11.1 ppmF) -5 to 120C (5 to 248F) 1 ppmC (0.5 ppmF) 3% or 30,000 Negligible > 10,000,000 cycles 3 mm (18 inch)
Constantan foil 6 m thick Kapton 15 m 9 m 27 AWG strand polyvinyl insulation (1 x 2) [.04 x .08]
Nominal resistance Resistance tolerance per package Gage factor (//) (actual value printed on each package) Gage factor tolerance per package Thermal Properties Reference temperature Service temperature: Static measurements Dynamic measurements Temperature characteristics: Steel Aluminum Uncompensated Temperature compensated range Tolerance of temp. compensation Mechanical Properties Maximum strain Hysteresis Fatigue (at 1500 ) Smallest bending radius Transverse sensitivity
120 0.4 ohms 03% 2.10 10% 1.0% 23C/73F -20 to 100C (-4 to 212F) -20 to 100C (-4 to 212F) 10.8 ppmC (6 ppmF) 10 to 80C (50 to 176F) 1 ppmC (0.5 ppmF) 5% or 50,000 Negligible > 10,000,000 cycles 3 mm (18 inch) Stated on each package
E-7
c a
a
b
c
Basic Unit
49
MOST POPULAR MODELS The most popular strain gage models are highlighted. Delivery of these models is normally off-the-shelf.
Encapsulated with Ribbon Leads (Accessory Terminal Pads Are Used to Attach Heavier Gage Wire to Ribbon Leads)
LY11 LY13
STRAIN GAGES
.13.5 5.5 24.0 12.0 1.5 2.0 3.0 3.0 6.0 7.0 7.0 13.5 1.1 1.8 1.5 2.5 4.8 7.5 8.0 8.0 3.5 4.5 4.0 6.0
5 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 5
d b
3.0 12.5 6.0 3.5 14.0 8.0 3.8 12.0 6.0 5.5 24.0 12.0
E-8
MAX DIMENSIONS [MM] PERMITTED ACCESSORY PRICE NOMINAL GRID CARRIER BRIDGE TERMINAL PER RESISENERGIZING PADS PKG TANCE A B C D VOLTAGE PART NO. FIG. () (V RMS) OF 10
$45 45 49 45 62 65 135 69 115 45 45 49 45 62 65 135 69 115 120 350 120 350 120 350 1000 120 1000 120 350 120 350 120 350 1000 120 1000 1.5 2.0 3.0 3.0 6.0 7.0 7.0 10.8 13.5 1.5 2.0 3.0 3.0 6.0 7.0 7.0 10.8 1.1 2.5 1.5 2.5 4.8 7.8 8.0 8.0 3.5 6.0 4.0 6.0 2.5 4 4 8 9 15 20 15 30 3 5 6 8 10 15 20 15 30 TP-1 TP-1 TP-2 TP-2 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 TP-1 TP-1 TP-2 TP-2 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 5
Encapsulated with Solder Pads (Accessory Terminal Pads Are Used for Strain Relief and Connecting Different Wire Gages)
3.0 12.5 6.0 3.5 14.0 8.0 3.8 12.0 6.0 3.2 16.4 6.3 5.5 24.0 12.0 1.1 2.5 1.5 2.5 4.8 7.8 8.0 8.0 3.5 6.0 4.0 6.0
LY41
Temperature characteristics matched to steel
LY43
Temperature characteristics matched to aluminum
d b
3.0 12.5 6.0 3.5 14.0 8.0 3.8 12.0 6.0 3.2 16.4 6.3
a c
SG-7/1000-LY43 SG-10/120-LY43
SG-13/1000-LY43
Terminal Pads for Stress Relief and Junction for Different Gage Wires
page E-25
MAX DIMENSIONS [MM] PERMITTED ACCESSORY PRICE NOMINAL GRID CARRIER BRIDGE TERMINAL PER RESISENERGIZING PADS PKG TANCE A B C D VOLTAGE PART NO. FIG. () (V RMS) OF 5
$105 129 135 120 120 240 24.5 51.5 8.0 41.0 13.0 8.0 68.5 16.0 20 25 35 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 1 2 4
Solder Pads, Not Encapsulated (Accessory Terminal Pads Are Used for Strain Relief and Connecting Different Gage Wires)
LY40
Temperature characteristics uncompensated
E-9
NOMINAL RESISTANCE ()
120 120 120 120 350 120 350 120 120
B
1.3 0.7 0.9 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 3.0 3.3
C
3.3 4.2 5.3 7.4 7.4 9.4 9.4 16.0 37.0
D
2.4 1.4 1.4 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 5.2 5.2
c a
1
d b
Actual Size
NOMINAL RESISTANCE ()
120 120 120 120 350 120 350 120 120
B
1.3 0.7 0.9 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 3.0 3.3
C
3.3 4.2 5.3 7.4 7.4 9.4 9.4 16.0 37.0
D
2.4 1.4 1.4 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 5.2 5.2
Encapsulated with 3 Lead Wires, 9 Feet Long, Attached to Minimize Lead Wire Resistance Effects
STRAIN GAGES
c a d b
E
1 2 3
Actual Size
Ordering Example: KFG-02-120-C1-11L1M2R, package of ten pre-wired strain gages encapsulated with two lead wires attached, $140
E-10
FA
AXIAL STRAIN
C
6.3 8.0 13.0 6.3 8.0 13.0 b
D
5.0 8.0 13.0 5.0 8.0 13.0
MAX PERMITTED ACCESSORY BRIDGE TERMINAL ENERGIZING PADS VOLTAGE PART NO. FIG. (V RMS)
5 8 15 5 8 15 TP-1 TP-2 TP-3 TP-1 TP-2 TP-3 1 1 2 1 1 2
XY11 XY13
SG-2/120-XY41
5 8 15 5 8 15
1 1 2 1 1 2
XY41 XY43
Temperature characteristics matched to aluminum
KFG-1-120-D16-11L1M2S
1.5 2 4 15 8 20
1 2 3 3 4 4
1.5 2 4 8 4 8
1 2 3 4 3 4
E-11
MAX DIMENSIONS [MM] PERMITTED ACCESSORY PRICE NOMINAL GRID CARRIER BRIDGE TERMINAL PER RESISENERGIZING PADS PKG TANCE A B C D VOLTAGE PART NO. FIG. () (V RMS) OF 5
$65 55 69 49 65 55 69 49 1000 1000 1000 350 1000 1000 1000 350 2.1 3.0 7 .0 7 .0 2.1 3.0 7.0 7.0 2.7 3.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 5 10 15 15 5 10 15 15 a b TP-2 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 TP-2 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 1 2 3 3 1 2 3 3
DY11 DY13
3.8 12.0 11.0 3.8 12.0 11.0 2.7 3.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0
SG-2/1000-DY13 SG-3/1000-DY13
$59 49 59 49 59 49 59 49
2.7 3.0
8.0 9.0
9.0 9.0
5 10 15 15 5 10 15 15 a b
1 2 3 3 1 2 3 3
DY41 DY43
3.8 12.0 11.0 3.8 12.0 11.0 2.7 3.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0
SG-2/1000-DY43 SG-3/1000-DY43
STRAIN GAGES
Fv 1 3 L 2 4 b h
E
BENDING STRAIN
E-12
STRAIN GAGES
ROSETTES
To Order (Specify Model Number)
TYPE SERIES MODEL NO. MAX DIMENSIONS [MM] PERMITTED ACCESSORY PRICE NOMINAL GRID CARRIER BRIDGE TERMINAL PER RESISENERGIZING PADS PKG TANCE A B C D VOLTAGE PART NO. FIG. () (V RMS) OF 5
$115 139 139 120 350 120 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.2 6.0 16.0 4 8 4 TP-3 TP-3 TP-3 1 1 1 2.2 16.0 16.0 2.2 16.0 16.0
RY11
Temperature characteristics matched to steel
a
RY13
Temperature characteristics matched to aluminum
SG-3/120-RY31 SG-3/350-RY31 SG-3/120-RY33 $129 139 129
b
120 350 120
4 8 4
1 1 1
RY31
Temperature characteristics matched to steel
RY33
Temperature characteristics matched to aluminum
3.0 3. 0 3.0
4 8 4
1 1 1
RY41
Temperature characteristics matched to steel
RY43
Temperature characteristics matched to aluminum
4 8 4
1 1 1
RY71
Temperature characteristics matched to steel
RY73
Temperature characteristics matched to aluminum
E-13
Rosettes are used to compute the state of stress at a particular point. The results will plot out Mohrs circle, which gives value and orientation of principal strains.
Mohrs Circle
NOMINAL RESISTANCE ()
120 120 120 350 120 350
MAX DIMENSIONS [MM] PERMITTED GRID CARRIER BRIDGE ENERGIZING A B C VOLTAGE FIG. (V RMS)
1.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 5.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 11.0 11.0 1.5 2 4 15 8 20 1 2 3 3 4 4
0/45/90 Encapsulated with 2 Lead Wires (3 Feet Long) Attached to Each Element
Temperature characteristics matched to steel
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
NOMINAL RESISTANCE ()
120 120 120 350 120 350
MAX DIMENSIONS [MM] PERMITTED GRID CARRIER BRIDGE ENERGIZING A B C VOLTAGE FIG. (V RMS)
1.0 2.0 3.0 3.0 5.0 5.0 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 5.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 11.0 11.0 1 1.5 2 4 15 8 20 1 2 3 3 4 4
0/45/90 Encapsulated with 3 Lead Wires (9 Feet Long) Attached to Each Element
Temperature characteristics matched to steel
STRAIN GAGES
E
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4
Ordering Example: KFG-2-120-D17-11L3M3S is a package of ten pre-wired rosette strain gages, encapsulated with three lead wires attached to each element, with temperature characteristics matched to steel, $419.
E-14
B
5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
C
27.0 27.0 27.0 27.0
D
27.0 27.0 27.0 27.0
FIG.
1 2 1 2
RY91
Ribbon Leads - Temperature compensated to steel
RY21
Solder Pads - Temperature compensated to steel
RY93
Ribbon Leads - Temperature compensated to aluminum
RY23
Solder Pads - Temperature compensated to aluminum
Fig. 1
Fig. 2 (Enlarged)
Terminal Pads for Stress Relief and Junction for Different Gage Wires
B
1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6
C
10.7 10.7 10.7 10.7
D
10.7 10.7 10.7 10.7
FIG.
1 2 1 2
SR11
Ribbon Leads - Temperature compensated to steel
SR41
Solder Pads - Temperature compensated to steel
1 3 3 2
1 3 3
SR13
Ribbon Leads - Temperature compensated to aluminum
SR43
Solder Pads - Temperature compensated to aluminum
For Accessory Terminal Pads, see page E-25.
E-15
B
1.8 1.6 1.8 1.6
C
6.3 7.0 6.3 7.0
D
5.0 6.8 11.0 5.0 6.8 11.0
3.0 12.0
RY51
Temperature characteristics matched to carbon steel
3.0 12.0
RY53
Temperature characteristics matched to aluminum
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
B
1.8 1.6 1.8 1.6
C
6.3 7.0 6.3 7.0
D
5.0 6.8 11.0 5.0 6.8 11.0
3.0 12.0
RY61
Temperature characteristics matched to carbon steel
3.0 12.0
STRAIN GAGES
RY63
Temperature characteristics matched to aluminum
Ordering Example: SG-7/120-RY61, package of five rosette strain gages encapsulated with solder tabs, with temperature characteristics matched to carbon steel and max. excitation of 9 V, $165.
E
Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3
E-16
NOMINAL RESISTANCE () A
C
10.7
D
10.7
FIG.
2
1.6
Enlarged 4 Times
SG-13/200-DG11 SG-20/240-DG11
$165 189
200 240
13.2 20
10 15
TP-2 TP-2
1 2
Full Bridge Diaphragm Strain Gage Encapsulated Diaphragm Gage with Ribbon Leads
Fig. 1 Fig. 2
E-17
OMEGAs transducer-quality strain gages are high quality encapsulated foil strain gages which are available in many configurations. They are commonly used in transducer technology as well as in experimental analysis. The gages come in a variety of lengths, patterns, thermal expansion coefficients (matched to stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum), alloy materials and solder configurations. Resistors and resistor wire, used for zero temperature compensation, span temperature compensation, and zero balance, are also available for use with these gages.
SPECIFICATIONS
Foil Thickness: 5 m Carrier Material: Polyimide Carrier Thickness: 50 m Connections: Solder pads (constantan gages); solder dots (karma) Nominal Resistance: 350 and 1000 Resistance Tolerance: 0.5% Gage Factor: 2.0 nominal (actual value printed on package) Gage Factor Tolerance: 1.0% Thermal Properties: Reference Temp.: 23C (73F) Service Temp.: Static: -30 to 250C (-22 to 482F) Dynamic: -30 to 300C (-22 to 572F) Temperature Comp: (zero) Carbon Steel (ferritic): +11 ppm/C
Stainless Steel (austenitic): +17 ppm/C Aluminum: +23 ppm/C Compensated Temp.: -5 to 120C (23 to 248F) Tolerance of Temp Comp.: 1 ppm/C (0.5 ppm/F) Gage Factor Temp Coefficient: Constantan: 0.0090%/C (+0.0050%/F) Karma (SS comp): 0.0103%/C (-0.0057%/F) Mechanical Properties: Maximum Strain: 3% or 30,000 S Hysteresis: Negligible Fatigue (@ 1,500 S): >10,000,000 cycles Smallest Bending Radius: 3 mm (0.12 inch)
c a
a
b
c
STRAIN GAGES
E-18
A
3.3 6.3 13.0 2.0 3.8 7.0 12.5
B
1.5 3.9 5.0 2.5 1.7 3.5 5.0
C
8.2 12 23 7.8 7.0 14.0
D
4.0 7.8 10 6.0 6.0 8.0
23.0 10.0
d b
23.0 10.0
a c
SG-7/350-LY43 SG-13/350-LY43
350 12.5 5.0 23.0 10.0 17 TP-3 For Accessory Terminal Pads, see page E-25. Ordering Example: SG-3/350-LY47K is a package of five uniaxial strain gages with Karma foil and encapsulated solder pads, $89 * SS is a temperature coefficient matched to stainless steel. (LY47) CS is a temperature coefficient matched to carbon steel. (LY41) ALUM is a temperature coefficient matched to aluminum. (LY43)
A
4.7 5.7 4.7 5.7 4.7 5.7 4.7 5.7
B
2.4 3.8 2.4 3.8 2.4 3.8 2.4 3.8
C
11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5
D
8.1 8.6 8.1 8.6 8.1 8.6 8.1 8.6
a
b
Ordering Example: SG-6/350-TY47 is a package of five torque gages with two Constantan grids, encapsulated with 4 solder pads, $35. * SS is a temperature coefficient matched to stainless steel. (TY47) CS is a temperature coefficient matched to carbon steel. (TY41) ALUM is a temperature coefficient matched to aluminum. (TY43)
d c
Dimensions
3 45 Z
Torsional Strain
MT
45 2
45 1
E-19
A
3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8
B
3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2
C
9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5
D
6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9
c b d
Dimensions
A
3.0 7.0 3.0 6.8 3.0 7.0 3.0 6.8
B
2.8 3.5 2.8 2.8 2.8 3.5 2.8 2.8
C
8.0 13.0 8.0 13.0 8.0 13.0 8.0 13.0
D
8.0 13.0 8.0 13.0 8.0 13.0 8.0 13.0
STRAIN GAGES
Ordering Example: SG-3/350-XY47K is a package of five biaxial gages with two Karma grids, encapsulated with solder pads, $115. * SS is a temperature coefficient matched to stainless steel. (XY47) CS is a temperature coefficient matched to carbon steel. (XY41) ALUM is a temperature coefficient matched to aluminum. (XY43)
Dimensions
E-20