Explain working of strain gauge and its application in load measurement.

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teamques10 ★ 68k

A strain gauge is a device used to measure strain on an object. It consists of an insulating flexible backing which supports a metallic foil pattern. The gauge is attached to the object by a suitable adhesive.
As the object is deformed, the foil will also be deformed, causing its electrical resistance to change. This resistance change which is usually measured using a Wheatstone bridge, is related to the strain by the quantity known as the gauge factor.
Through a mechanical construction, the force being sensed deforms a strain gauge. A load cell usually consists of four strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge configuration.
Strain gauge load cells work on the principle that the strain gauge contracts when the material of the load cells deforms appropriately. These values are extremely small and are related to the stress and/or strain that the material load cell is undergoing at the time.
The change in resistance of the strain gauge provides an electrical value change that is calibrated to the load placed on the load cell. Strain gauge load cells convert the load acting on them into electrical signals.
The gauges themselves are bonded onto a beam or structural member that deforms when weight is applied. In most cases, four strain gauges are used to obtain maximum sensitivity and temperature compensation.

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