Strain gage input module bridges interfaces to transducers

Dataforth’s MAQ20-BRDG1 strain gage input module provides 4 channels of strain gage input that can interface to quarter, half, or full-bridge sensors using either a 4- or 6-wire connection.

By Dataforth  June 30, 2015

Dataforth’s MAQ20-BRDG1 strain gage input module provides 4 channels of strain gage input that can interface to quarter, half, or full-bridge sensors using either a 4- or 6-wire connection. The MAQ20-BRDG1 interfaces to transducers with a resistance of 100Ω to 1kΩ. Four 24-bit data converters are designed to provide measurement capability while anti-alias filtering eliminates signal degradation from environmental noise. The MAQ20-BRDG1 module also has 1500Vrms input-to-bus isolation. In addition, individual channels have overload and reverse protection on all field terminals to prevent module and system damage due to transient events or inadvertent wiring errors.

Signal range, bridge excitation voltage, and sample rate are all user-configurable parameters in this module. Signal bandwidth scales automatically with sample rate. Internal precision shunt calibration resistors and a zero-balance feature compensate for sensor inaccuracy, and internal bridge completion resistors are built-in for use with half-bridge and quarter bridge sensors. Other MAQ20-BRDG1 features include ±0.05% accuracy and±0.02% linearity, 100dB CMR, input protection to 20Vrms, and -40 C to +85 C (-40 to 185 F) operating temperature.

Signal sampling rate can be set to 200S/s continuous or to 1kS/s to 32kS/s burst with simultaneous sampling on all 4 channels and automatic signal filter scaling; internal memory in the module is used to capture burst samples of input signals. Programmable signal gain allows full-scale input ranges of ±8 mV to ±100 mV. Strain gage excitation is provided from the module by a 2.5 V, 3.333 V, 5 V, or 10 V source.

Dataforth

www.dataforth.com 

– Edited by CFE Media. See more Control Engineering I/O system and module products.