A strain gauge (or, less commonly, strain gage) is a widely used sensor tool for measuring stress forces in an object or material under load.
By showing how strain and fatigue forces are impacting a physical material, strain gauges enable engineers to make various key decisions about all kinds of designs, builds and installations.
Strain gauges are a well-established method of monitoring material performance, having been in use since the mid-1900s. They can be used as standalone sensor devices or connected in series to form a Wheatstone bridge, for accurate measuring of unknown resistances and differences. They can also be used in a load cell configuration for various industrial applications, including precision weighing or long-term monitoring of strain, material impact and performance.
In this introductory guide, we will learn all the key basics about strain gauges. This will include exactly what they do and how they work, as well as how they help to optimise overall productivity and build quality across various types of industry.
We will also explain how to position and use a strain gauge, as well as provide a clear idea of how to shop for strain gauges online in the UK.