Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges worksheet with answers

Free printable Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy
+−12 VR1​ = 80 ΩR2​ = 150 ΩR3​ = 120 ΩR4​ = 60 Ωab+−

The bridge shown is supplied with Vs = 12 V and its output is open. Find the current Is drawn from the supply, in mA.

Vs = 12 VR1 = 80 ΩR2 = 150 ΩR3 = 120 ΩR4 = 60 Ω
Is = mA
2.Easy
+−3 VR1​ = 400 ΩR2​ = 50 ΩR3​ = 20 ΩR4​ = 60 Ωab+−

In the bridge shown, Vs = 3 V, R₁ = 400 Ω and R₂ = 50 Ω. Find the voltage Va of node a with respect to the negative supply rail.

Vs = 3 VR1 = 400 ΩR2 = 50 ΩR3 = 20 ΩR4 = 60 Ω
Va = V
3.Medium
+−10 V200 Ω200 Ω + ΔR200 Ω200 Ωab+−Vab​ = ?

A bridge has four 200 Ω arms and Vs = 10 V. The sensor R₂ increases by ΔR = 40 Ω. Find the exact output Vab in mV.

Vs = 10 VR = 200 ΩΔR = 40 Ω
Vab = mV
4.Medium
+−6 V350 Ω350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω350 Ωab+−169.8 mV

A bridge with four 350 Ω arms is supplied with 6 V. When the sensor R₂ changes, the output reads Vab = 169.8 mV. Find the exact change ΔR of R₂.

Vs = 6 VR = 350 ΩVab = 169.8 mV
ΔR = Ω
5.Hard
+−3 V120 Ω − ΔR120 Ω + ΔR120 Ω + ΔR120 Ω − ΔRab+−Vo​ = ?

A bridge with 120 Ω arms is excited with 3 V and has four active gauges, two in tension and two in compression (full bridge). The gauge factor is 2 and the strain is 250 µε. Find the bridge output Vo in mV.

Vs = 3 VGF = 2ε = 250 µε
Vo = mV
6.Hard
+−2.5 V1000 Ω − ΔR1000 Ω + ΔR1000 Ω1000 Ωab+−Vo​ = ?

A bridge with 1000 Ω arms is excited with 2.5 V and has two active gauges in adjacent arms, one in tension and one in compression (half bridge). The gauge factor is 2.12 and the strain is 1000 µε. Find the bridge output Vo in mV.

Vs = 2.5 VGF = 2.12ε = 1000 µε
Vo = mV

Answer key

  1. 1. Is = 118.8 mA
  2. 2. Va = 0.3333 V
  3. 3. Vab = 454.5 mV
  4. 4. ΔR = 42 Ω
  5. 5. Vo = 1.5 mV
  6. 6. Vo = 2.65 mV

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