Strain gauge amplifier is a sturdy, stable, analogue conditioning amplifier for most strain gauge devices, including load cells, pressure transducers and torque transducers
Available in either DC (18-24V) or mains-powered (110/230V) versions and as a PCB or packaged in an IP65-sealed, glanded ABS case, the SGA strain gauge amplifier has a bandwidth of DC to 6kHz, giving it the widest bandwidth of known commercially-available, general purpose strain gauge conditioning amplifiers according to Celsum Technologies.
As such, it is invaluable for measuring high frequency events in structures to which the strain gauge device is attached.
The SGA has two simultaneous analogue outputs, one for current and the other for voltage.
The outputs may be configured by the user to give 0-5VDC, 0-10VDC, +/-5VDC, +/-10VDC, 0-20mA and 5-20mA.
A regulated bridge excitation voltage of 10V is provided, with a current capacity of 110ma, sufficient to drive up to four 350-ohm bridges wired in parallel.
Half- and quarter-bridges can be accommodated, the latter by fitting dummy resistors to complete the bridge.
A switchable, second-order, low-pass filter is fitted, user-selectable between 1Hz and 5kHz.
Transducer sensitivities between 0.1mV/V and 30mV/V are also switch-selectable.
A zero-offset adjustment allows, for example, a vessel weight to be compensated for by 'taring' it off.
Richard Carter, Celsum's marketing manager, commented: "The SGA is an excellent, general purpose conditioning amp with a superb specification, and yet is available at a budget price.
"It is built on a single, high-quality PCB using state-of-the art, surface-mount technology.
"SGAs are being used in a wide range of applications, from medical equipment to aerospace, and in fields from laboratory R and D, through process plants to on-vehicle monitoring.
"We have a version of the SGA for conditioning LVDT transducers, too".
