strain gauge wheatstone

Strain gauge Wheatstone bridge sensors from Kingmach are built around a simple idea: a tiny change in resistance tells you a lot about what’s happening inside a structure. The Wheatstone bridge—usually a full bridge configuration—converts that sub-milliohm shift into a measurable voltage output. We offer both bonded foil and vibrating wire strain gauges with internal full bridges, fixed in place during construction or retrofitted on existing steel and concrete surfaces. Common base resistance options include 120Ω and 350Ω, with gauge lengths from 50 mm up to 250 mm for coarse aggregate concrete. For long-term installations, moisture and chemical attacks are real problems; our sensors use stainless steel housings, epoxy potting, and heavy-duty cable jackets to keep the bridge circuit protected. Customization is part of how we work. If your project needs a half-bridge output, a different lead wire length, or a specific connector, we adjust the design without much fuss. Temperature compensation is built in by matching the gauge factor and selecting self-temperature-compensating alloys for the intended structural material—steel, concrete, or aluminum. The output is typically mV/V, easy to read with most dataloggers, or we can integrate a signal conditioner to provide 4–20 mA or digital outputs. Kingmach ships these sensors globally, with calibration sheets and installation guidance included. Our technical support extends past delivery; we help with troubleshooting erratic readings, unbalanced bridges, and cable splicing in the field. Applications range from pile load tests and foundation settlement to bridge bearing displacement and rock bolt pull tests. The Wheatstone bridge doesn’t need software updates or batteries, which is why it’s still the go-to for structural health monitoring after all these years.