Wheatstones Bridge

Rx unknown to be measured. If R2 is variable

this can be changed until IG=0 A -the bridge is
then called balanced, thus

If R2 is not variable the current flow and

voltage difference can be used to calculate the
value of Rx (bridge unbalanced)

Typical applications: Strain gauges (stress measurements), temperature etc.

Strain gauges

Smaller than a poststamp and very thin glued onto the element to be measured
Conductor a thin wire app. 0,02-0,03 mm in diameter
Typical resistance values from 30 to 3 k (unstressed)

Strain gauge base type

Strain gauge measurement at its simplest form:

With no forces applied the reading of V-meter is zero (bridge balanced)
With forces applied strain gauge resistance will either decrease or increase, thus
unbalancing the bridge and producing a reading on the V-meter.

Strain gauge different types

With wire resistance put on

(Inaccuracy due to temperature changes)

With wire resistance put on

Inaccuracy partly eliminated with separate
wire to V-meter (top wire bypassed)

Strain gauge different types

With dummy strain gauge put on

(identical strain gauges) only one strain
gauge active

With wire resistance put on

Wire resistance tends now to be cancelled
due to same resistance in strings

Strain gauge different types

With all applied strain gauges made active the system will be more responsive/sensitive to
the applied force either by a half-bridge configuration and even a full bridge configuration