NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TRICHY

DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL ENGINEERING

IC 212 SENSORS AND TRANSDUCERS LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT - DOCUMENTATION

SECOND YEAR- B.TECH

DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL ENGINEERING

SENSORS AND TRANSDUCER LAB

SI.NO

LIST OF EXPERIMENTS

Measurement of strain using strain gauges

Characteristics of temperature sensors

Study Of Ac And Dc Characteristics Of LVDT

Measurement of Natural frequency and damping ratio of the given

system

Loading effects of Potentiometer and Characteristics of Optocoupler

Level Measurement using proximity sensors

Effect of Modifying and Interfering input for the given measurement

system

Characteristics of Hall effect sensor

1.MEASUREMENT OF STRAIN USING STRAIN GAUGES

AIM:

To measure the strain in a cantilever beam setup using half and full bridge
configurations of strain gauge using cantilever beam setup.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:

S.No

Components/Apparatus Specification or Range

1.

Cantilever beam setup

with strain gauge in

2.

Resistors

3.

Weights

4.

RPS

5.

Breadboard

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:
Half Bridge Configuration
SG1

SG2

Force/load

Cantilever beam

Quantity

Full Bridge Configuration

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 1 &2 :
Half Bridge Configuration and Full Bridge Configuration

Circuit diagram1: Half bridge configuration

Circuit diagram2: Full bridge configuration

FORMULA (used for the experiment)
DIMENSIONS OF CANTILEVER BEAM: (Write the values of the quantities with units)

Youngs Modulus

(E)

Width of the beam

(b)

Length of the beam

(l)

Thickness of the beam

(h)

Bridge Excitation voltage

(Ev)

Gauge factor strain gauge

(GF)

THEORITICAL CALCULATIONS:

Ixx = b h3 / 12 ;

= P l3 / 3E Ixx;

= M Y/ Ixx;

Ixx -

Moment of Inertia in mm4

d-

Deflection of the beam,

P-

Rated load of the beam in gm

Bending moment = g l

Stress in kg/mm2

Strain

Y = h/2.

= / E;

VO = Ev GF

For Half Bridge configuration

VO = Ev GF / 4

For Quarter bridge configuration

TABULATION 1:
Half Bridge Configuration

Load

Bridge
Volt(v)

(gms)

Deflection

Stress

Strain

d(mm)

x 10-6

x 10-5

Eth(mV)

H(I)

S/N

x10-6

x 106

Increasing

Decreasing

N(I)

TABULATION 2:
Full Bridge Configuration

Load

Bridge
Volt(v)

(gms)

Deflection

Stress

Strain

d(mm)

x 10-6

x 10-5

Eth(mV)

H(I)

S/N

x10-6

x 10-

N(I)

Increasing

Decreasing

Procedure:
1. The circuit connections are made as per the circuit diagram 1 and 2. .
2. Note corresponding outputs while bridge (half/Full) is loaded in multiples of 100gms till
1000gms.
3. Do the same while unloading the bridge(half/Full).
4. Plot the graph for load Vs bridge output, hysteresis and non-linearity

Result:
Inference about the experiment :

2.CHARACTERISTICS OF TEMPERATURE SENSORS

AIM:
To study the characteristics of the given Resistance temperature detector (RTD),
Thermocouple and Thermistor.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:

S.No

Components/Apparatus

1.

RTD

2.

Thermocouple

3.

Thermistor

4.

Thermal calibrator

5.

Digital Multimeter

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

Specification or Range

Quantity

TABULATION: 1 VARIATION OF RESISTANCE OF RTD WITH TEMPERATURE

S.NO

TEMPERATURE(DEGREE CELSIUS)

RESISTANCE(KILO OHM)

TABULATION: 2 VARIATION OF OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF THE THERMOCOUPL WITH

TEMPERATURE

S.NO

TEMPERATURE(DEGREE CELSIUS)

THERMO EMF(MILLIVOLT)

TABULATION: 3 VARIATION OF RESISTANCE OF THERMISTOR WITH TEMPERATURE

S.NO

TEMPERATURE(DEGREE CELSIUS)

RESISTANCE(KILO OHM)

PROCEDURE:
1. Experimental setup is as shown in figure. Connect the thermal calibrator to the power
supply.
2. Insert the RTD, Thermocouple and thermistor into the thermal calibrator and set the
range of temperature from room temperature to _________ degree
3. Connect a multimeter to the two leads of RTD, Thermocouple and the thermistor and
measure the output resistances and voltage for each 10 degree rise in temperature to
maximum temperature.
4. Repeat the same procedure in the reverse order
5. Tabulate readings and plot graph to study characteristics
i)Voltage Temperature for thermocouple
ii)Resistance-Temperature for RTD and thermistor
7.Set the temperature of calibrator to room temperature and allow it to cool down.
RESULT:

Inference about the experiment :

3.STUDY OF AC AND DC CHARACTERISTICS OF LVDT

AIM

To study the AC and DC characteristics of the given LVDT

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

S.No

Components/Apparatus

1.

LVDT

2.

DSO

3.

Function generator

4.

Resistor

5.

Capacitor

6.

Diodes

7.

Multimeter

Specification or Range

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 1 : AC CHARACTERISTICS

Quantity

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 2 : DC CHARACTERISTICS

Input Excitation voltage:

Input Excitation Frequency:
TABULATION 1 :
S.No

Displacement (mm)

Ac voltage (mV)

Dc voltage(mV)

PROCEDURE:
a) To study AC Characteristics:
1. The connections are made as shown in circuit diagram 1. The core is
kept at one extreme end and the output voltage is noted at this point.
2. Next the core is moved slowly to the other end and
displacement is measured using screw gauge and the corresponding
voltages are noted.
3. The point where the output voltage is zero is the null point.
4. Draw the graph between displacement Vs AC output voltage. Find the
null point of the given LVDT and the range of displacement.
b) To study DC Characteristics:
1. The connections are made as shown in the circuit diagram 2.
2.Next the core is moved slowly to the other end and the displacement
is measured using screw gauge. The value of the output voltage was
taken after a particular displacement was moved.
3. The point where the output voltage is zero is the null point. The
readings were plotted on a graph sheet.

RESULT:

Inference from the experiment:

4.EFFECTS OF INTEREFERING AND MODIFYING INPUTS FOR THE

GIVEN MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
AIM:
To study the effect of interfering and modifying inputs on a system of strain
gauge mounted on a cantilever beam using quarter bridge configuration.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:

Name of the
component/equipment
Strain gauge mounted on
cantilever beam(quarter
bridge configuration)
DC regulated power
supply
Weights
IC temperature measuring
sensor
Heating strip-bimetallic
strip
Breadboard

Resistors

Digital multimeter

Sl.No
1

2
3
4
5

Specifications(Range/Value)

Quantity

TABULATION:
a) The effect of modifying input
Sl.No

Load(g) Vs =

Vs =

Vs =

Output voltage

Output voltage

Output voltage

Vo(mv)

Vo(mv)

Vo(mv)

Load(g) Temperature =

Temperature =

Temperature =

Output voltage

Output voltage

Output voltage

Vo(mv)

Vo(mv)

Vo(mv)

b) The effect of interfering input

S.No

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:
a) Modifying input
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure. Do not give any supply to the heating
element or to the IC temperature sensor LM 35.
2. Keep the supply voltage constant at 4V and note the output voltage when there
is no load.
3. Keep the weights on the cantilever beam and note the output voltage for
different values of weights using a multimeter.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for different values of supply voltages.
5. Plot a graph between the output voltage and the load on the cantilever beam
and note down the sensitivity of the three different readings.

b) Interfering input
1. Make the circuit as shown in figure. For the cantilever beam setup use the
other figure. Give the heating element a 220V.single phase power supply and IC
temperature sensor (LM 35) a supply voltage of 5V.
2. Keep the supply voltage constant at 5V.
3. Allow the strain gauge setup to be heated and note down the temperature with
LM 35 of sensitivity 10 mV/degree Celsius.
4. At a temperature different from room temperature note down the output voltage
at no load conditions and also for different weights.
5. Repeat step 4 for another temperature.
6.Plot the graph for the variation of output voltage with load and note the effect of
interfering input.
RESULT:
Inference from the experiment

5.CHARACTERISTICS OF PROXIMITY SENSORS

AIM
To obtain the characteristics of proximity sensor.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
Sl.No

Equipments required

Proximity sensors

Regulated power supply

Connecting wires

Voltmeter

Ammeter

Resistor

Specification

Quantity

Output

Output

current(mA)

voltage(mV)

TABULATION:
Sl.No.

Distance(cm)

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

PROCEDURE:
a) Current output proximity sensor (UP-1000 PVPS 24(M))
1. The sensor is excited with a 24 V DC power supply as shown in figure.

2. A resistance of 470 is connected across the green and white wires from the
sensor. An ammeter is connected in series with the loop to get the output
sensor.
3. A resistance of 180 is connected across yellow and white wires from the
sensor.
4. The target is placed at ______ cm distance from the sensor and moved away in
steps of 5cm at a time and the corresponding output current is noted.
5. Plot the characteristics of current Vs distance,
b) Voltage output proximity sensor (UP 2000 PVPS 24 1S(K)
1. The sensor is excited with a 24 V DC supply.
2. The output voltage is taken across the green and white wires, assuming white
to be grounded.
3. The effective resistance of 180k is connected between the yellow and white
wires as shown in figure3.the target is placed at----------- cm from sensor and
moved away in steps of------cm each at a time. The output voltage
corresponding to each step is noted.
4. Plot the characteristics of output voltage Vs distance.
RESULT:
Inference from the experiment:

6.MEASUREMENT OF NATURAL FREQUENCY AND DAMPING RATIO

OF THE GIVEN SECOND ORDER SYSTEM
6.1.MEASUREMENT OF DAMPING RATIO
AIM:
To determine the damping ratio of second order system experimentally using
logarithmic decrement method.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Sl.No

Equipment Required

Specifications

Piezo-laminated Cantilever beam

Digital storage oscilloscope

Connecting probes

Quantity

TABULATION:
Sl.No

No:of cycles(r)

Ai (V)

Ai

(V)

Ai
1
ln
2 r
Ai r

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

PROCEDURE:
1. The experiment setup is shown above.
2. An impulse input is applied to the free end of the cantilever beam by tapping it
3. This causes the cantilever beam to vibrate and hence the PZT gives an electrical
output observable to the DSO.
4. The output is a continuous exponentially decaying sinusoidal wave. The
amplitudes of the i th and the i+r th waveforms are noted down where r is the
number of cycles between them.
5. Substitute the values of Ai, A(i+r) in the formula to get the damping ratio

6. By varying the number of cycles considered during different times of application

of impulse input, several readings are taken and their mean is noted down as the
damping ratio.

6.2. MEASUREMENT OF NATURAL FREQUENCY

AIM:
To measure the natural frequency of a Piezo-laminated cantilever beam
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Sl.No

Equipments
1

Piezo-laminated
cantilever beam

Function generator

DSO

Resistors

Capacitors

Opamp

Specification

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:
FUNCTION
GENERATO
R

Cantilever beam

Piezoelectric crystal
CHARGE
AMPLIFIER

DSO

Quantity

CHARGE AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT

C=0.01F

FROM PZT

IC741

OSCILL0SCOPE

TABULATION:
Sl.No

Frequency(Hz)

Output voltage

Output voltage with

without charge

chargeamplifier,Vo(volts)

amplifier,Vo(volts)

PROCEDURE:
i) Without charge amplifier
a. Connect the actuator to the output from function generator.
b. The output from the piezo-electric sensor is fed directly to oscilloscope.
c. Vary the frequency of the input sinusoid in the range (0-60)Hz and observe the
output with aid of oscilloscope and note down the readings.
d. Observe for the resonance peak at which very high output are observed.
ii) With charge amplifier
a. Connect the circuit as shown in figure.
b. Cary the frequency of the input signal in the range (0-60)Hz.
c. Repeat steps c and d of without charge amplifier.
RESULT:
Inference from the experiment

7.LOADING EFFECTS OF POTENTIOMETER AND

CHARACTERISTICS OF OPTOCOUPLER
7.1.LOADING EFFECTS OF POTENTIOMETER
AIM:
1. To study the loading effect of a rotary potentiometer.
2. To study the characteristics of optocoupler

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Loading effect of potentiometer
Sl.No Equipments Required
1

Rotary potentiometer

Analog Voltmeter of different

ranges

Regulated DC power supply

Multimeter

Connecting wires

Specifications

Quantity

TABULATION:
Sl.No:

Voltmeter Rm=

Voltmeter Rm=

Range=

Range=

m ax

Vo

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Vo
Vi

Nonlinerity Vo

Vo
Vi

Nonlinerity

PROCEDURE:
1. The experimental setup is made as per in figure
2. The input ports given on the potentiometer is connected to 5V DC
3. After all connections are made switch on the DC power supply.
4. Using the voltmeter (0-5V), measure the output voltage for different angles of
rotation.
5. Measure the output voltage for different angles using 0-10V voltmeter.
6. Draw a graph between Vo/Vi and

and also the graph representing the

m ax

nonlinearity

7.2.CHARACTERISTICS OF OPTOCOUPLER
AIM:
To study the characteristics of a
i)photodiode
ii)phototransistor
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Sl.No

Equipments Required

Photodiode

LED

Ammeter

Rheostat

Resistance

dc supply

npn transistor

IC-chip (MCT-2E).

Specifications

Quantity

Circuit diagram
i) Photo diode

RHEOSTAT
A
+

(0-20)mA

VIN

+5v
ID55

5V

1m
-5V
Vout
ii) Photo Transistor

npn transistor

Vout

TABULATION 1:
Sl.No

I/p current(mA)

O/p voltage(V)

TABULATION 2:
Sl.No

I/p current(mA)

O/p current(mA)

Voltage(V)

PROCEDURE:
1. The circuit is shown as in the figure.
2. The resistance is varied using a pot so that input current is varied.The output
current and output voltage is noted.
3. The reading is tabulated and graphs are drawn.
4. The same procedure is repeated for circuit 1 and 2.
RESULT:

Inference from the experiment

8.CHARACTERISTICS OF HALL EFFECT SENSORS

AIM:
To study the characteristics of Hall effect sensor.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Sl.No

Equipments Required

Hall Probe

Digital Hall effect set, Model

DHE-22
Electromagnet,Model-EMU50/EMU-75
Constant current power supply

Digital Gauss Meter

Sample for study Hall Effect

Specifications

Quantity

TABULATION:
1. Constant.Gauss.
FORWARDED
I(mA)

V(mV)

REVERSE
I(mA)

V(mV)

2. Current ConstantmA
Current

Mill volt

PROCEDURE
1. Connect the widthwise contact f the Hall probe to the terminals marked
Voltage and Lengthwise contact to the terminals marked Current.
2. Switch On the hall effect set-up and adjust the Current (say few mA).
3. Switch over the display to Voltage side.
4. Place the probe in the magnetic field as shown in the figure and switch ON the
electromagnet power supply and adjust the current to any desired value. Rotate the
hall probe till it become perpendicular to the magnetic field.

5. Measure hall Voltage for both direction of the current and the magnetic field.
6. Measure the hall voltage as a function of the current. Keeping the magnetic field
constant plot a graph.
7. Measure the hall voltage as a function of the Magnetic field. Keeping a suitable
value of current as constant plot the graph.
8. Measure the magnetic field by the Gauss meter.
RESULT:
Inference from the experiment