strain gauge pressure transducer

If you need fast dynamic response—like for pile driving or impact loads—strain gauge is the better choice. Vibrating wire sensors are slower but excel in long-term drift stability and are immune to cable resistance changes. For static total pressure monitoring where cables are long and conditions are wet, vibrating wire often wins. But strain gauge sensors are more cost-effective for shorter-term construction monitoring or where you already have a datalogger set up for analog signals.

Most of our strain gauge pressure transducers deliver ±0.25% to ±0.5% full-scale accuracy, including non-linearity, hysteresis, and repeatability. The true accuracy in the field also depends on installation quality and thermal gradients. We recommend a thermal soak after embedding to let temperatures equalize before taking zero readings.

Yes, the strain gauge sensing principle has a very fast response time—typically less than 1 millisecond. You’re mainly limited by the frequency response of the diaphragm and the signal conditioner. For impact or blast monitoring, specify the high-frequency option, which uses a stiffer diaphragm and a wider bandwidth amplifier.

Custom ranges are straightforward: we select a diaphragm thickness and gauge factor to match your required span. For cables, we can attach lengths up to several hundred meters with proper shielding. Just let us know the cable length, output signal type, and any chemical exposure concerns, and we’ll quote accordingly. Lead times are typically 2-3 weeks for non-stock configurations.

It depends on the output. For 4-20 mA sensors, any logger with a current input and 12-24 V excitation works. For mV/V output, you’ll need a logger that can provide regulated excitation and measure a ratiometric bridge—most geotechnical loggers like Campbell Scientific CR series or DataTaker do this. We can help you match the sensor to your existing system.