Interface Module for Load Cell Conditioner

Mantracourt announces the release of the new Bridge Completion Module (SGABCM), a small retro-fit PCB which facilitates connecting a half or quarter-bridge strain gauge to their SGA Load Cell conditioner.

An important feature of the Bridge Completion Module is that it is easily installed. It simply screws into the existing load cell connector on the SGA amplifier module. It also has on-board screw terminal connections that accept a wide range of bridge completion resistors, enabling on-site installation without soldering equipment.

The market leading Strain Gauge Amplifier (SGA) is a high performance signal conditioner for single or multiple strain gauge bridge sensors such as load, force, pressure and torque. The SGA offers a wide bandwidth and a wide inputsignal range. The device can be powered from AC or DC supplies providing excitation for up to 4 x 350 ohm strain gauge bridges.

"In many ways, this is a small and simple device, but it is enabling engineers to connect an increasingly diverse range of sensors to our amplifier module," said Kelly Voysey, Sales and Marketing Manager at Mantracourt. "The Bridge Completion Module is a good example of how our engineers are working with instrumentation professionals around the world, helping to develop truly effective measurement technology."

The quarter bridge strain gauge circuit, together with its completion resistor can be wired for compression or tension (stretching) giving a positive output and half bridge strain gauge devices are simply connected to the BCM module via the screw terminals, with no additional components required.

The Bridge Completion Module has high stability resistors (5ppm/°C) fitted for the ‘fixed’ arms of the bridge, and screw terminals are provided for a ‘Shunt Calibration’ shunt resistor to be fitted, to periodically check the integrity of the strain gauge(s), wiring and calibration. A ‘Remote Shunt Calibration’ can be performed by energising a miniature 24V relay fitted to the BCM. Multiple SGA's in an installation can be shunt calibrated simultaneously.