Experiment No.

7
Sensors
Course: Section:
Group No.: Date Performed:
Group Members: Date Submitted:
Instructor:

1. Objective(s):
To present the basic concepts of force measurement through a strain gauge and other sensors.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:
1) Examine the force measurement through a strain gauge
2) Discuss the operations and characteristics of sensors
3) Evaluate the effectiveness of each sensor through experimentation
3. Discussion:

A strain gauge is a metal grid in the shape of a Greek fret that is created by photoengraving on an
insulating support. At the ends of such fret there are the terminals for the connection to the measurement
circuit. The main characteristic of a strain gauge is that of varying its electrical resistance with the variation
of the deformation to which it is subjected.

An ultrasonic transducer is used to measure distances by ultrasonic principle. This transducer might be
used as a proximity sensor. By measuring the time travelling between pulse source and receiver in specific
environment. We can develop two kind of measurement: one measurement setup will focused only for
proving the possibility to measure the distances with ultrasonic devices, the other measurement setup will
be focused on exercising the procedure of measuring device calibration.

For measuring distance any sensor/ transducer provides an electrical signal in correlation with the
parameter to be measured. In our case for distance measurements, the ultrasonic transducer provides at
output port a proportional voltage.

A pressure sensor measures the pressure, typically of fluids. Pressure is an expression of the force
required to stop a fluid from expanding, and is usually stated in terms of force per unit area. A pressure
sensor generates a signal related to the pressure imposed. Typically, such a signal is electrical, but it
might also include additional means, such as optic signals, visual signals and/or auditory signals.
ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR
This sensor measures the pressure relative to perfect Vacuum pressure (0 PSI or no pressure).

GAUGE PRESSURE SENSOR

This sensor is used in different applications because it can be calibrated to measure the pressure relative
to a given atmospheric pressure at a given location.

DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SENSOR

This sensor measures the difference between two or more pressures introduced as inputs to the sensing
unit.
4. Equipment:
De Lorenzo 3155E25T
Connecting Wires
Digital Multimeter
5. Procedure:
Activity 1 – Measurement of deformation through a Strain Gauge
General Guideline

Always turn on the base frame first before turning on the DL Student Navigator 2 Software. Turn off the
software after performing one activity and turn it on before performing a new activity to reset the software
and hardware communication.

Schematic Diagram

Figure 6.1
 Instrumentation Amplifier

The circuit that will be used is the one in figure 6.2 that represents the function that is performed by
the STRAIN GAUGE block. The sensor has the capability of varying its resistance as a function of the
deformation to which it is subjected. However, these variations are very weak and, therefore, it is necessary
to use an amplifier to be able to measure them.

The measurement is performed through a bridge that is composed of the strain gauge and of R1, R2,
R3. R5 and R0 have the task to reset the output voltage of the bridge when the strain gauge is not
subjected to strain: this voltage is only due to tolerances of the resistances. The variation of the resistance
of the strain gauge is performed through a screw that deforms an aluminum sheet on which the sensor is
stickled. 

Figure 6.2

1. Connect, through two leads, the terminal that is connected to R4 to the terminal of the inverting
input and the terminal that is connected to R1 to the terminal of the non inverting input of the
INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER.
2. Take, through the dip switches, the gain of the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER to the value
G=1000 (1, 2, 3 to OFF, while the 4th dip switch must be set to ON).
3. Insert the multimeter, set for the measurement of d irect voltages, between the terminal Vo of the
INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER block and the earth and measure the voltage.
4. Make sure that the screw does not touch the sheet on which the strain gauge is mounted.
5. Reset the output voltage of the amplifier by operating on R0.
6. Move the screw until it touches the aluminum sheet. At this point rotate the screw by half turn.
7. Write the measurement that you read on the multimeter in Table 6.1.
8. Repeat such measurement for all the positions that are listed in the table.
9. Comment the behavior of the measured voltage as a function of the position of the screw.
 Table 6.1

Position of the screw Voltage Vo

[turns] [V]
0,5
1
1,5
2
2,5

Activity 2 – P.I.R. Sensor

Schematic Diagram

Figure 8.2

1. Insert the Module DL 3155E25T in the console and set the main switch to ON;
2. Connect a multimeter, set as voltmeter, as show in Fig. 8.3
3. Wait few seconds (the sensor will be warmed up);
4. Now when the sensor will see a movement the led starts flashing, until the movement will stop;
5. Move far from the sensor to check the range (usually some meters);
6. Comment the obtained results.
 Figure 8.3

Activity 3 – Magnetic Switch – Reed Sensor

Schematic Diagram

Figure 8.4

1. Insert the Module DL 3155E25T in the console and set the main switch to ON;
2. Connect a multimeter, set as voltmeter, between jack 1 and ground (Fig. 8.5)
 Figure 8.5

3. Bring near the magnet slowly to the switch S1, so to provoke the contact closing and the
consequent switching on of the lamp;
4. Remove slowly the magnet so to provoke the contact opening and the consequent switching off of
the lamp;
5. Repeat more times the previous operations, by spotting the minimum closing distance of the
switch;
6. Comment the obtained results.

Activity 4 – Hall Sensor

Schematic Diagram

Figure 8.6

1. Insert the Module DL 3155E25T in the console and set the main switch to ON;
 2. Connect a multimeter, set as voltmeter, as show in Fig. 8.7

Figure 8.7

3. Approach slowly the magnet to the sensor, so to provoke the sensing. The effect is also identifiable
by a light changing of the led;
4. Remove slowly the magnet;
5. Turn the magnet of 180°, to change the polarization of the magnet, and repeat the last two steps;
6. Comment the obtained results.

6. Discussion of Results:

8. Conclusion:
9. Assessment Task:

1. How does an ultrasonic transducer measure distance? State the factors that affects its accuracy of
measurement.
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2. Discuss how an infrared sensor performs motion sensing?

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3. What is the importance of the instrumentation amplifier in detecting the applied pressure on the
piston?
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4. Using the concepts acquired in this experiment, design a simple circuit where a P.I.R sensor is
used to make a security alarm and sense movement onto its surrounding.
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