IoTClass / Inside the measurement
Conceptual · not to scale

Inside a strain-gauge load cell

Peel from the case to the element. Follow the readout through this conceptual model.

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The full text version below describes every layer. All measurement explanations are available without 3D.
Outside: metal beamThe view shows a metal beam with strain gauges and output wires.

Drag to rotate; pinch to zoom. With the view focused: arrow keys rotate, + / − zoom, 1–3 choose a layer, Home resets rotation and zoom. Step advances to the next layer; Reset returns to the case and default view. Layer buttons select a view directly. The page does not move on its own.

Layer 1 of 3 / Outside

Outside: metal beam

The view shows a metal beam with strain gauges and output wires.

Teaching view: The metal beam carries strain gauges and short colored wires. Peel away the surface markings to see the gauges that connect to the resistance-measuring circuit.

The measurement to rememberSmall changes in strain-gauge resistance unbalance a bridge circuit, producing a voltage difference between its two outputs. [Wheatstone Bridge]

Full text version · every layer

1 · Outside: metal beam

The metal beam carries strain gauges and wires that connect them to the readout.

Teaching view: The metal beam carries strain gauges and short colored wires. Peel away the surface markings to see the gauges that connect to the resistance-measuring circuit.

2 · Readout: bridge voltage

A Wheatstone bridge detects small resistance changes by comparing two voltage dividers. [Wheatstone Bridge]

An amplifier enlarges the small difference between the bridge midpoint voltages. [Wheatstone Bridge]

Teaching view: The gauges and output wires connect to an external bridge readout. The bridge compares two voltage dividers, and an amplifier increases the small voltage difference between them.

3 · Element: strain gauges

Wheatstone bridges are used with strain gauges and load cells. [Wheatstone Bridge]

A change in the sensing resistor unbalances the bridge and produces a voltage difference between its outputs. [Wheatstone Bridge]

Teaching view: Gold folded gauge paths sit on pale backings bonded to the beam. A load bends the beam slightly, stretching or compressing the attached gauges and changing their resistance. With a voltage supplied to the bridge, these resistance changes create a small voltage difference that the readout amplifies.

Explode separates the proposed layers; X-ray makes the case translucent. These are teaching views. No commercial sensor construction or wiring is specified.