Two-wire subminiature strain gauge amplifier available in even smaller low-profile package
Newly available from Magna Projects and Instruments is the ICA5 analogue in-cell amplifier.
Designed to be fitted close to the strain gauge in a load cell (but also an ideal cost-effective solution in many other OEM and R and D applications), the ICA5 is a state-of-the-art, precision amplifier constructed with surface-mount technology and working on a two-wire 4-20mA loop, mounted in a cylindrical package only 19.5mm in diameter and 11mm high; the optional low-profile package (ICA5L) is only 7mm high and is the same price as the standard package.
The ICA5 has an auto-zero amplifier to give high stability, linearisation, a shunt calibration option, operates from voltages as low as 7.5VDC, and allows screw mounting and earth bonding for EMC.
In common with the rest of the ICA amplifiers offered by Magna, (the ICA1 three-wire, 0.1-10VDC output; ICA2 three-wire 0.1-5VDC output; ICA3 four-wire +/-10VDC output and ICA4 three-wire 4-20mA output), the ICA5 has solder pads for external connections, potentiometers for adjusting offset and gain, a high noise immunity and permits pre-calibration of the electronics to the transducer to save time at final installation.
Once calibrated and fitted, the ICAs will operate maintenance-free, and the use of such a precision amplifier close to the strain gauge minimises noise pickup and allows use in installations requiring long cabling lengths without a loss in performance.
The analogue output allows direct connection to a range of analogue output devices, such as chart recorders, PLCs, displays, industrial instrumentation or, with an A/D card, PCs.
Other strain gauge conditioning instruments available from Magna include the D-Cell and DSC intelligent strain transducers, which allow a strain gauge device to be connected directly to a computer system, the SGA analogue strain gauge amplifier, the ADP15 series of panel- and DIN-rail mount process control instruments and the ADW15 controllers for weighing processes.
All of these instruments carry a three-year manufacturer's warranty, and are available on-line via Magna's online store.
