In the force transducer shown in Figure (a), four identical strain gauges S1, S2, S3, and S4 are mounted on a cantilever at equal distance from its base. S1 and S2 are mounted on the top surface and S3 and S4 are mounted on the bottom surface, as shown in the Figure (a). These strain gauges are to be connected to form a Wheatstone bridge consisting of four arms A, B, C, and D, as shown in the Figure (b). From the following options, the correct order to maximize the measurement sensitivity is
To determine the correct connection of the strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge to maximize measurement sensitivity, we need to understand how strain gauges work in different configurations.
Strain Gauge Working Principles:
- Strain gauges measure strain on a material. When the material deforms, the resistance of the strain gauge changes.
- In a Wheatstone bridge configuration, the change in resistance is used to produce a voltage output, which is indicative of the strain.
- Strain gauges on the top surface experience tension when the cantilever bends due to force, whereas those on the bottom experience compression.
Configuration Analysis:
- To maximize sensitivity, gauges experiencing opposite types of strain (tension and compression) should be placed in adjacent arms.
- This setup enhances the change in output voltage for a given force by increasing the relative change in resistance between the arms.
Correct Connection:
- A → S1 (Top, Tension)
- B → S4 (Bottom, Compression)
- C → S2 (Top, Tension)
- D → S3 (Bottom, Compression)
Thus, the correct order to maximize the measurement sensitivity is A → S1, B → S4, C → S2, D → S3.
Important Questions from Resistive Transducers
Flow can be measured by ____.
- Active strain gauges are connected in a half-bridge configuration to measure strain in a cantilever element. When powered by a voltage source of 10 V, the voltage at the output of the bridge is 1 mV. If the gauge factor is 2.5, the strain in the cantilever element is ________ microstrain.
An engineer is designing a feedback control system using a potentiometer transducer to measure angular position. What is the primary effect if a voltmeter with low resistance is connected to measure the potentiometer output?
- A wire-wound ‘resistive potentiometer type' angle sensor with 72 turns is used in an application. The first turn of the potentiometer is connected to ground while its last turn is connected to 3.6 V. The width of the wiper covers two turns ensuring make-before-break. The output (wiper) voltage when the wiper is on top of both the turns 35 and 36 is ________ V (rounded off to two decimal places).
A strain gauge is attached on a cantilever beam as shown. If the base of the cantilever vibrates according to the equation \[ x(t) = \sin \omega_1 t + \sin \omega_2 t, \] where \(2~\text{rad/s} < \omega_1, \omega_2 < 3~\text{rad/s}\), then the output of the strain gauge is proportional to
