New option for Strain Gauge Amplifier allows Quarter and Half Bridges

Designed originally for the full-bridge, four-arm strain gauges usually used in such transducers, it is sometimes desirable to monitor single- or dual- strain gauges.The SGABCM module is easily installed on the existing SGA pcb, and has precision bridge completion resistors fitted for half-bridge gauges. Quarter-arm bridges are fitted using a completion resistor, which is easily added using provided screw terminals, and can be wired to give a positive output whether the gauge is to be used in tension or compression.

Additionally, terminals are provided for the addition of a shunt calibration resistor, which allows the system to be swiftly electronically checked at regular intervals. A 24V relay on the SGABCM allows shunt calibration by remote control of multiple circuits simultaneously by providing the 24V signal.

The SGA is a very versatile and cost-effective instrument. Available in PCB form or encased in an IP65 sealed housing, it has a very wide bandwidth or DC to 6kHz, and has switchable filters up to 5kHz. It supplies a choice of 10V or 5V excitation voltages, and has sufficient power to drive four 350-ohm load cells in parallel, which is useful for weighing vessels, for example. It has dual outputs, one current and one voltage, which can be switch-selected to be 0-20mA, 4-20mA, 0-10V, 0-5V, ±5V or ±10V full scale.

The SGA is available as the SGA/A, which is mains-powered (110/230V AC) and the SGA/D, which is DC powered (18 to 24V DC). An isolated DC power supply is available as an option.

Observed Aptifirst's Managing Director, Roy Carter, This new addition to the SGA range is very welcome, especially since we have had a lot of enquiries from people especially in engineering research and development areas who wish to monitor the output from single or dual strain gauges on test rigs and similar The SGA has many applications, from industrial weighing, through laboratory experiments to monitoring the strain in the wings of aircraft.