STRAIN GAUGE SENSOR AMPLIFIER OR SINGLE SUPPLY INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER

This is a new project, a single supply instrumentation amplifier with onboard bridge configuration, and a 2.5V precision reference voltage chip. The project can be configured for applications such as thermocouple amplifier, bridge amplifier, ECG amplifier, pressure sensors, medical instrumentation, portable instrumentation, RTD sensor amplifier. The project is based on INA333 micropower, zero drift, rail to rail out instrumentation amplifier chip. REF5025AID chip provides a precise 2.5V reference voltage. The board can be configured as an instrumentation amplifier or as a strain gauge amplifier with few easy changes.

STRAIN GAUGE AMPLIFIER

The circuit shown here is a simple example of a Strain Gauge Amplifier in a bridge configuration, this strain gauge circuit accurately measures the resistance of a strain gauge sensor placed in a bridge configuration. The resistance of the strain gauge sensor varies with applied force, change in resistance is directly proportional to how much strain the sensor is experiencing due to the force applied. Changes in the strain gauge resistance create a differential voltage that is amplified by an instrumentation amplifier INA333. The amplifiers have very high input impedance and therefore introduce negligible error with respect to the bridge resistance. The output voltage of the instrumentation amplifier will be depending on the sensor’s value and variation in resistance value.  The bridge excitation voltage and instrumentation amplifier reference voltage 2.5V are supplied using the REF5025. A reference voltage at mid-supply (5V DC) biases the output voltage of the instrumentation amplifier to allow differential measurements in the positive and negative direction. The common mode resistors, R1, R11 and R12, have two main functions; limit the current through the bridge and set the common mode of the instrumentation amplifier. I have used 120 Ohms Strain Gauge sensor and thus I have chosen bridge resistors R4, R5, and R9 also 120 Ohms to match the sensors impedance. Matching the bridge resistors with the strain gauge resistance produces a 0 V differential bridge voltage when the strain gauge resistance is at its nominal value. It is advisable to use very low tolerance resistors to minimize the offset and gain error due to the bridge resistors. Operating power supply 5V DC, D1 power LED, J1 PCB jumper closed. CN2 sensor connection, CN1 supply input, and sensor output, R3 100 Ohms resistor set the gain of Amplifier to approx. 1001.

Read more: STRAIN GAUGE SENSOR AMPLIFIER OR SINGLE SUPPLY INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER


About The Author

Muhammad Bilal

I am highly skilled and motivated individual with a Master's degree in Computer Science. I have extensive experience in technical writing and a deep understanding of SEO practices.

Scroll to Top