Rack-mount signal conditioner

multi-channelamplifierfor strain gauges

The MTI BAF-4-2K is a 4-channel general-purpose strain gage bridge conditioning system. It provides amplified and filtered signals for ¼-, ½- and full-bridge strain gage circuits making it ideal for bonded strain gage applications or for multiple extensometer signal conditioning tasks. Each channel is actively filtered after amplification. (The filter characteristics are: 2-pole Butterworth low-pass with a -3 dB cutoff frequency of 2 Hz.) Each independent channels allows for accurate adjustment of bridge excitation voltage, bridge balance and signal gain. Bridge power voltages for each channel can be precisely and independently adjusted from 1.2 to 10 Volts DC. Shunt resistor calibration ports for each channel can easily be switched into the circuit for signal verification and system setup. A convenient digital panel meter can be switched to monitor bridge power or amplified output level signal for each of the four channels. The rear panel provides for either plug connector input of the sensors or convenient 'banana' jack inputs with access to each of the four arms of a strain gage bridge. This also provides a convenient method of quick changing of sensors. Another unique feature of the BAF-4-2K is the convenient 350 Ω bridge completion resistor switch arrangement for each channel on the rear panel of the instrument. Close any combination of three switches to add a completion resistor to the desired leg of the bridge, and at the same time the bright red LED lights to indicate its' presence in the bridge network. Output signals also provided through a multi-pin connector which supplies all amplified signals with common reference.