BF350-3EB Strain Gauge | Full-Bridge for Precision Sensing | 350 Ohm

This full bridge strain gauge is a sensor that measures force by sensing small bends or changes in a material. When you put it on a surface, its electrical resistance changes based on how much it stretches or compresses. This makes it a key part for building an accurate pressure sensor or load cell. Features and Benefits - Full bridge setup - It has four matching resistors for better sensitivity and built-in temperature adjustment. - Different resistance options - Available in common values like the 350Ω BF350-3EB-A or 1000Ω BF1K-3EB-AWG to work with your amplifier. - Flexible polyimide backing - It sticks well to both flat and curved surfaces for accurate strain readings. - Pre-attached lead wires - The wires are already connected, making the delicate soldering process easier and getting your sensor working faster. Applications - Custom Digital Scales: Attach the gauge to a metal bar to make your own load cell for weighing projects. - Structural Monitoring: Measure stress and wear on mechanical parts, support beams, or airplane frames. - Robotics and Haptics: Put it in robotic grippers to get feedback on how hard they’re squeezing or to make bend sensors. How It Works This BF350-3EB Strain Gauge operates on the principle of a resistance sensor. When a material is subjected to external forces, it undergoes deformation, known as strain. This deformation causes a change in the electrical resistance of the polymer material within the strain gauge. The gauge is designed to precisely detect these minute changes in resistance, which are directly proportional to the applied strain. This allows for the accurate measurement of mechanical stress and pressure within a system. Measuring the Output The output from this full-bridge strain gauge configuration is typically a small change in voltage. This voltage change is measured across the bridge circuit. Due to the high precision of this product type, sensitive instrumentation is required to accurately detect and interpret these subtle voltage variations. The full-bridge configuration enhances sensitivity and helps to compensate for temperature effects, providing a more stable and accurate signal for subsequent data acquisition and analysis. Common Applications This BF350-3EB Strain Gauge is commonly used for pressure sensor applications. Its high precision makes it suitable for scenarios where accurate measurement of force, weight, or pressure is critical. For instance, it can be integrated into load cells, industrial weighing systems, or used for structural health monitoring. The polymer material and full bridge configuration contribute to its versatility in diverse sensing environments where reliable data is essential. How They Work Strain gauges, such as this BF350-3EB model, are resistance sensors that detect deformation in objects. When an object is strained, the electrical conductor within the gauge stretches or compresses. This physical change alters the conductor's cross-sectional area and length, consequently changing its electrical resistance. This resistance change is then measured, providing a quantifiable indication of the strain applied to the object. The "full bridge" configuration further refines this measurement. Measuring the Signal To measure the signal from this strain gauge, it is typically connected to a Wheatstone bridge circuit. As strain is applied to the object, the resistance of the strain gauge changes, unbalancing the bridge. This unbalance results in a small differential voltage output across the bridge. This voltage is then amplified and converted into a digital signal using an analogue-to-digital converter. The resulting digital data can then be processed to determine the precise amount of strain.