Experiment 2 Strain gauge - utm.my · Experiment 2 : Load cell & Pressure sensor ... Load cell &...

DDPE 2701 Electrical Engineering Laboratory 2

Instrumentation Experiment 2 : Load cell & Pressure sensor

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JABATAN KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRIK PUSAT PENGAJIAN DIPLOMA (PPD), SPACE

EXPERIMENT 2 : LOAD CELL & PRESSURE SENSOR

Programme: DDPB/E/K/P Session :

Course : ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 2 Code : DDPE 2701

Topic : STRAIN GAUGE Lab:

Title : LOAD CELL & PRESSURE SENSOR Date :

Group Members

No Name ID No

1

2

3

Lab Station Group

INSTRUCTION

Warning!!!

Do not make any connection or circuit adjustment when the supply is ON. Always abide by the safety procedure

1. Follow all the experiments procedures. 2. Acquire from the lab technician for components, equipments and assistance. 3. All reports need to be submitted by the end of the lab session.

Marks

SKILL

Commitment and participation (PO8) /15 Supervisor

Operational circuit (PO2) /15

Competency (PO2) /20

REPORT

Result (PO1) /20 comment

Discussion (PO1) /20

Conclusion (PO1) /10

TOTAL /100

Sekolah Pendidikan Profesional dan Pendidikan Berterusan (SPACE) Kuala Lumpur



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EXPERIMENT 2 : LOAD CELL & PRESSURE SENSOR

PART A : LOAD CELL

OBJECTIVES:

a) Study the principle of a strain gauge.

b) Study the construction of a load cell.

c) Study the characteristic of a load cell .

d) Study the transduction circuit of a load

e) Study the application of a load cell.

DISCUSSION OF FUNDAMENTALS

Figure 1.1 below shows the relationship between resistance ‘R’ and the length ‘L’ of a piece of conductor

wire.

Figure 1.1 Relationship for the length to the resistance

The inherent resistance of a conductor can be given by

ρ

Where

= resistance in ohms (Ω)

ρ = resistivity in ohm‐meter (Ω‐m)

= length in meters (m)

= cross‐sectional area in square meter (m2)

If a force is applied to the conductor, its length will change by ∆L and the new length is ∆

assuming that the volume of the conductor is a constant, an increment in the length must cause a

decrement in the cross‐sectional area by a ∆A.

Thus

∆ ∆ (1)

Assuming the resistivity is not affected by force, resistance of the conductor must be:

ρ ∆ ∆ (2)



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From equations 1 and 2 we can obtain the new resistance as:

ρ / 1 2∆ / (3)

Hence, the resistance change is

∆ 2 ∆ (4)

Equation (4) is called "characteristic equation of a strain gauge.” The length change ∆L/L0 can be

converted to the change of resistance ∆R/R0 .

A conductor's shape and resistance is influenced by the applied external force. In other words,

magnitude of the applied force can be calculated by measuring the magnitude of resistance change.

However, temperature change is also a factor that affects the resistance. Therefore, how to compensate

the effect of the temperature change is an important consideration.

There are two types of strain gauges configurations: the "metal‐wire" strain gauge and the "metal‐foil”

strain gauge. Both types of strain gauges have the same basic characteristic. The wire gauge consists of

thin wire applied in a zigzag pattern to a dimensionally stable substrate as shown in Figure 1.2. The

strain’s direction is along the sensing axis, which is along the gauge length. The axis along the gauge

width is the transverse axis.

Figure 1.2 A general‐purpose strain gauge

The strain‐gauge bridge circuit of Figure 1.3 is commonly used for converting the resistance changes into

voltage changes. The strain gauge consists of an active gauge installed along the sensing axis and a

dummy gauge installed along the transverse axis. Both gauges have the same‐characteristics and are

exposed to the same temperature, and, by virtue of their connection into the bridge, the dummy gauge

provides temperature compensation for the active gauge.



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Figure 1.3 Strain‐gauge bridge

Strain‐gauge force transducer are the most commonly used type of for a transducer, the term "load cell"

usually implies this type of transducer. Many designs exist for the measurement of compression or

tension forces or of both, and use Wheatstone bridge to detect the resistance changes and then convert

into the voltage changes. Their primary application is weight measurement. A typical design is as shown

in Figure 1.4.

(a) Two strain gauges installation (b) two strain gauges configured two bridge arms.

Figure 1.4 Load Cell Design

Figure 1.5 shows a mechanism of the load cell. Strain gauges are attached to a portion of the elastic

beam that has been milled out in an "I" shape. When a weight is applied to the beam, the strain gauge

occur the resistance change and then the bridge converts this change into the voltage in proportion to

the weight.

Figure 1.5 Load cell mechanism



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DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL CIRCUITS

A load cell transducer circuit having a transduction ratio of 1mV/g is incorporated in the module shown

in Figure 1.6. The load cell used in this experiment has a measuring range of 0 to 5kg with 20mV ±10%

full‐scale output; the recommended excitation voltage of ±5V DC, and the output transduction ratio of

4mV±10% /kg.

Figure 1.6 Load cell transducer circuit

In Figure 1.6, OPA's (Operational Amplifiers) U1, U2 and U3, combines to form an instrument amplifier

with a total voltage gain of 2xR2/(R1+VR1). To obtain an output of 1 mV/g, the instrumental amplifier

must have a gain of 250 (4mV/kgx250=1mV/g). Since the load cell has a relatively small output voltage

of 20mV, deviations caused by the OPA’s (Operational Amplifiers) offset voltages will seriously

undermine the accuracy of the load cell. Therefore, OPA's (Operational Amplifiers) with extra‐low offset

voltages, such as OP‐07 are recommended.

Under a null weight condition the output voltage of the load cell is not zero, and the output

transduction ratio is not exactly at 4mV/kg. The former can be improved with providing an offset voltage

the input of the instrumental amplifier, and the latter can be improved with adjusting the VR1 to

increase voltage gains.

The voltage regulator (R8, CR1) and the voltage divider (R9, R10) provide 6V of Regulated voltage for the

V+ input of U4. U4 is voltage follower and the U5 is an inverting amplifier with a voltage gain of ‐1. By

adjusting VR2 the output of U6 set between +1.2V to ‐1.2V and the transduction circuit output of zero

can be obtained under null weight condition



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EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

1) KL‐68003 Load Cell With Mechanism

2) KL‐63007 Load‐Cell Transducer module.

3) KL‐68008 Weight Set 5kg

4) DMM (Digital Multi Meter)

5) KL‐61001A Trainer

EXPERIMENT AND RECORD

Characteristic and transduction circuit of load cell

1) Set the Load‐Cell Transducer Module KL‐63007 on the Trainer KL‐61001A trainer.

2) Connect Load Cell leads to the load cell input socket on KL 63007.

3) Connect DMM probes between J4 and J7 for measuring the output voltage of the Load Cell.

4) Measure and record the output voltage for each weight on Table 1.1.

5) Connect J4 to J5; J7 to J8.

6) Under null weight condition, adjust the potentiometer VR2 and measure the output voltage at

J9 for VJ9 = OV.

7) Set the weight of 1 kg and adjust VR1 for Voltage at J9 = 1 V. This step set the transduction ratio

to 1V/kg.

8) Measure and record the output voltage at J9 for each weight on Table 1.2.

9) Plot the graph of voltage against weight as shown below using data from Table 1.2



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TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENTS

RESULTS

Weight (g) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1k 2k 3k 4k

J4‐J7 (V)

Table 1.1

Weight (g) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1k 2k 3k 4k

J9(V)

Table 1.2

Observe the curve from Step 9 and calculate the transduction ratio. The transduction ratio is ______

V/kg, or __________ mV/g.

DISCUSSION

1) Comment on the theoretical value and the calculated value of the transduction

2) What is the relationship between the voltage and weight

3) Why there is a need to have an offset for the Instrumentation Amplifier

4) What criteria or component of the graph yield the transduction value

5) Relate how resistance and voltage varies

Based on these hints write your own discussion and draw your own conclusion

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION



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PART B : PRESSURE SENSORS

OBJECTIVES

1. Understanding the construction of a pneumatic pressure sensor.

2. Study the operating principle of a pressure transducer.

3. Study the applications of a pressure transducer.

DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL CIRCUITS

Pressure is a multidirectional uniform type of stress a force applying on a unit area; it is measured as

force per unit area exerted at a given point.

Vacuum ‐‐ is the complete absence of any matter in a volume or a region of space.

Absolute pressure ‐‐ is measured relative to zero pressure (a perfect vacuum). The most commonly used

unit is the psia (pound force per square inch for absolute).

Differential pressure ‐‐ is the pressure difference between two points of measurement, measured

relative to a reference pressure or a range of reference pressures. The most commonly used unit is the

psid (pound force per square inch for differential).

1 kpa (kilopascal) = 0.145 psi

Figure 2.1 shows an integrally diffused semiconductor strain‐gauge transducer, type SPX 500. The unit

consists of the basic four‐arm‐bridge sensor encapsulated in a glass‐filled nylon package. The sectional

view and physical construction are shown in Figure 2.2. The SPX 50D has a very fast response speed. In

differential pressure applications the terminal P1 is a port for high pressure input and P2 is for low

pressure input measurements, the measured pressure must be applied to the port P1.

Figure 2.1 Equivalent circuit and packages of SPD 50D.



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(a) (b)

Figure 2.2 (a) sectional view; (b) physical construction

In practice, a suitable device of temperature compensation is need for the SPX transducer. For our

application transistor compensation is used.

Transistor compensation

Figure 2.3 shows a transistor compensation circuit. When Vs= 5V, the resistors should be R1=402Ω and

R2=150Ω. Another combination is Vs=6V, R1=429Ω, and R2=133Ω. Each combination can provide an

excellent compensation in temperature range from 0 to 100°C.

Figure 2.3 Transistor compensating circuit

The circuit of Figure 2.4 is a suggested amplifier for the SPX, transducer. The operational amplifiers

should be precision and wide‐temperature range amplifiers, such as LT1014, LT1002, OPO7, etc. The

voltage gain Av is calculated by

1 12



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If and then

2

Figure 2.4 Amplifier

The circuit of Figure 2.5 shows a module for pressure sensor application with signal conditioner

incorporated in the circuit.

Figure 2.5 Pressure sensor module



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EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

1. DMM (Digital Multi Meter)

2. KL‐68002 Pressure Gauge

3. KL‐63015 Pressure Sensor Module

4. KL‐61 001A Trainer (Main unit)

EXPERIMENT AND RECORDS

1. Place the KL‐63015 Module on the KL‐6100A trainer. Connect KL‐63015 Module to DC power

supply of KL61001A trainer.

2. Place the KL‐68002 Module on the experimental table. Connect the signal wire between

Modules KL‐63015 and KL‐68002 Modules

3. Zero‐pressure input calibration. Turn on the power of the main unit (KL‐6100A) and keep the

motor stopping (do not turn ON KL‐68002). On the KL‐63015 Module, short‐circuit J2 to J4 using

a connecting lead, measure and set the voltage at J7 to zero by adjusting the VR1.

4. Using the Voltmeter measure the voltage at the J10 on KL‐63015 Module. Set the measured

value to 0V by adjusting the VR3.

5. On the KL‐63015 Module, remove the connecting lead between J2 and J4, and turn the VR2 fully

CCW (counter clock wise).

6. Using the Voltmeter, measure and record the voltage value at the J10 onKL‐63015 Module. The

measured voltage value is ___________V.

7. Turn on the power of the motor on KL‐68002 Module. Apply the pressure generated by the

motor to the P1 terminal of the pressure sensor which is located on the upper right of KL‐68002

Module. The generated pressure is proportional to the speed of the motor. According to the

needed pressure of the experiment, change the position of the motor speed switch (H‐M‐L) and

slowly adjust the position of the flow control valve that is increase in pressure by pushing the

valve to the left and decrease in pressure by pushing the valve to the right.

8. Adjust the pressure to the values given in the Table 2.1 shows on results section. Measure and

record the voltage at the J10 on KL‐63015 Module using the Voltmeter. Record the measured

voltage values in Table 2.1.

9. Apply the pressure generated by the motor to the P2 terminal of the pressure sensor and repeat

Steps 7 through 9. Record the measured voltage in Table 2.1.

10. Plot the recorded voltage values on the following graph.



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11. Turn the VR2 on KL‐63015 Module fully CW.

12. Based on the pressure adjustment given in Table 2.2 repeat steps 6 through 10.

13. Draw a smooth curve through your plotted points. The completed pressure against voltage

curve should be linear and the VR2 acts as a gain adjust.

TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENTS

RESULTS

Record voltage and pressure values with VR2 turned fully Counter Clock Wise

Pressure

Voltage

1000 mmAq 1200 mmAq 1400 mmAq 1600 mmAq 1800 mmAq

With P1

With P2

Table 2.1

Record voltage and pressure values with VR2 turned fully Clock Wise

Pressure

Voltage

1000 mmAq 1200 mmAq 1400 mmAq 1600 mmAq 1800 mmAq

With P1

With P2

Table 2.2



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DISCUSSION

1) Comment on graphs observations

2) Did you get a straight line if yes or otherwise explain why

3) Why the trend for graph for P1 and P2 are opposite each other

4) Calculate the gain you should get from the formula given previously

5) Explain relationship between measured voltage with pressure

Based on these hints write your own discussion and draw your own conclusion

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

Experiment 2 Strain gauge - utm.my · Experiment 2 : Load cell & Pressure sensor ... Load cell &...

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