Q.series X A156 – Gantner Instruments new 4-channel carrier frequency amplifier for inductive transducers and strain gages

Gantner Instruments: Inductive transducers play an essential role in today’s world. The transducers are used for the measurement of positions, displacement, rotation, vibration, and material thickness. In test and measurement applications and frequently in the field of structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure, power plants, or condition monitoring in the process industry.

Inductive displacement transducers are a proven, reliable measurement option for detecting displacements and positions. They are characterized by contactless and thus extremely low-wear detection with a high possible measurement dynamic. If high-quality materials are used, extraordinary robustness is achieved, which allows maintenance-free operation for decades. With inductive displacement transducers, high-precision measurements can be carried out under dirty or harsh environmental conditions.

Q.series X A156

We developed the new 4-channel carrier frequency amplifier, A156, for measuring strain gages and, especially, inductive transducers. the module is based on our renowned ed A106 carrier frequency amplifier, which has been proven for years. In contrast to the A106, the A156 has four channels but does without the analog outputs.

The A156 excites the transducers with a 4.8 kHz AC voltage, the so-called carrier frequency (abbreviated CF). The amplitude is software selectable, either 2.5 V or 5 V. The module offers 16 measurement ranges and a sample rate of 20 kHz per channel with a 24-bit resolution. Adjustable digital filters allow further optimization of the measurement data according to the application’s needs.

The module is available with the front screw terminals or SubD sockets in the DSUB9 and DSUB15-HD versions. It thus offers all necessary connection options for modernizing your existing measurement setup.

Main features: 

• Four galvanically isolated input channels for inductive transducers and strain gages
• Carrier frequency technology with 4.8 kHz AC excitation and software selectable amplitude 2.5 V or 5 V (per channel)
• 16 measuring ranges from 1.25 mV/V to 1000 mV/V 
• 20 kHz measuring rate per channel with 24-bit resolution
• 500 V isolation voltage channel to channel, channel to power supply, and channel to bus