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There are thousands of strain gages available from the various vendors. Selection among these choices can be overwhelming. This section is aimed at narrowing down the selection possibilities.

Principles of Selecting Strain Gages

Four principles should be considered in selecting strain gages. They are

  • Suitability for the operating and environmental conditions.
  • Accurate and reliable measurements.
  • Easy to install.
  • Minimum cost.
Strain Gage Parameters

Parameters for choosing strain gages are summarized as follows.

  • Gage Length
  - accuracy requirement - strain gradients
  - maximum strain (elongation) - installation (space and easiness)
  - heat dissipation    
  • Gage Pattern
  - uniaxial, biaxial, or multi-axial - strain gradients
  - heat dissipation - installation (space and easiness)
  • Gage Resistance
  - signal noise ratio - heat dissipation
  - lead-wire desensitization    
  • Gage Materials
  - gage wire sensitivity - backing (carrier)
  - adhesive - self-temperature-compensation
  • Optional Features
  - installation (easiness, speed)