ISA-37.8-1982 (R1995) : Specifications and Tests For Strain Gage Force Transducers
ISA-37.8-1982 (R1995) : Specifications and Tests For Strain Gage Force Transducers
ISA-37.8-1982 (R1995) : Specifications and Tests For Strain Gage Force Transducers
ISA–37.8–1982 (R1995)
Formerly ISA–S37.8–1982 (R1995)
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT
This is a copyrighted document and may not be copied or distributed in any
form or manner without the permission of ISA. This copy of the document was
made for the sole use of the person to whom ISA provided it and is subject to
the restrictions stated in ISA’s license to that person. It may not be provided to
any other person in print, electronic, or any other form. Violations of ISA’s
copyright will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and may result in
substantial civil and criminal penalties.
ISA–The Instrumentation,
Systems, and
Automation Society
ISA-37.8-1982 (R1995) — Specifications and Tests for Strain Gage Force Transducers
ISBN 0-87664-381-0
Copyright 1982 by the Instrument Society of America. All rights reserved. Printed in the United
States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher.
ISA
67 Alexander Drive
P.O. Box 12277
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Preface
This preface, as well as all footnotes and annexes, is included for informational purposes and is
not part of ISA-37.8-1982 (R1995).
This Standard has been prepared as a part of the service of ISA, the international society for
measurement and control, toward a goal of uniformity in the field of instrumentation. To be of real
value, this document should not be static but should be subject to periodic review. Toward this
end, the Society welcomes all comments and criticisms and asks that they be addressed to the
Secretary, Standards and Practices Board; ISA; 67 Alexander Drive; P.O. Box 12277; Research
Triangle Park, NC 27709; Telephone: (919) 549-8411; Fax: (919) 549-8288; E-mail:
standards@isa.org.
The ISA Standards and Practices Department is aware of the growing need for attention to the
metric system of units in general, and the International System of Units (SI) in particular, in the
preparation of instrumentation standards, recommended practices, and technical reports. The
Department is further aware of the benefits to USA users of ISA Standards of incorporating
suitable references to the SI (and the metric system) in their business and professional dealings
with other countries. Towards this end, this Department will endeavor to introduce SI and
acceptable metric units in all new and revised standards to the greatest extent possible. The
Metric Practice Guide, which has been published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers as ANSI/IEEE Std. 268-1992, and future revisions, will be the reference guide for
definitions, symbols, abbreviations, and conversion factors.
It is the policy of ISA to encourage and welcome the participation of all concerned individuals and
interests in the development of ISA standards, recommended practices, and technical reports.
Participation in the ISA standards making process by an individual in no way constitutes
endorsement by the employer of that individual, of the ISA, or of any of the standards which ISA
develops.
This Standard is intended as a guide for technical personnel at user facilities as well as by
manufacturers' technical and sales personnel whose duties include specifying, calibrating,
testing, or showing performance characteristics of strain-gage linear accelerometers. By basing
users' specifications as well as technical advertising and reference literature on this Standard, or
by referencing portions thereof, as applicable, a clear understanding of the users' needs or of the
transducers' performance capabilities, and of the methods used for evaluating or proving
performance, will be provided. Adhering to the specification outline, terminology and procedures
shown will not only result in simple, but also complete specifications; it will also reduce design
time, procurement lead time, and labor, as well as material costs. Of major importance will be
the reduction of qualification tests resulting from use of a commonly accepted test procedure and
uniform data presentation.
The development of this Standard was initiated as the result of a survey conducted in December
1960. A total of 240 questionnaires was sent out to transducer users and manufacturers. A
strong majority indicated in their replies a need for transducer standardization. As strain-gage
force transducers were one of the types shown to be most in need of standardization, a
Subcommittee, SP37.8, was formed. To provide a coordinated document, this committee was
composed of representatives from government, user and manufacturer categories. This
Standard was then processed over several mail-review and revision cycles until a consensus of
reviewers was reached.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 3
The following individuals served on the 1975 SP37.8 committee:
NAME COMPANY
The following individuals served on the ISA Committee SP37, who reaffirmed ISA-S37.8 in 1995:
NAME COMPANY
This standard was reaffirmed by the ISA Standards and Practices Board on September 29, 1995.
NAME COMPANY
4 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
NAME COMPANY
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 5
Contents
1 Scope ....................................................................................................................................... 9
2 Purpose.................................................................................................................................... 9
4 Characteristics ..................................................................................................................... 10
4.1 Design characteristics ................................................................................................. 10
4.2 Performance characteristics ....................................................................................... 14
4.3 Additional terminology ................................................................................................ 17
4.4 Tabulated characteristics versus test requirements .................................................... 19
Figures
1 .................................................................................................................................................. 18
2 .................................................................................................................................................. 23
3 .................................................................................................................................................. 25
4 — Individual acceptance tests and calibrations ................................................................. 28
5 — Environmental test record................................................................................................ 29
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 7
1 Scope
1.1 This standard covers strain-gage force transducers, primarily those used in measurement
systems.
1.2 Included among the specific versions of strain-gage force transducers, to which this Standard
is applicable, are the following:
Tension Transducers
Compression Transducers
Universal (Combination Compression and Tension) Transducers
1.3 Terminology used in this document is defined either herein or in ISA-S37.1, Electrical
Transducer Nomenclature and Terminology.
2 Purpose
2.2 Uniform acceptance and qualification test methods, including calibration techniques
3 Drawing symbol
The drawing symbol for a strain-gage transducer is a square of dimensions 2x by 2x, with an
added equilateral triangle, the base of which is the left side of the square. The triangle
symbolizes the sensing element. The letter "F" in the triangle designates "force", and the
additional sub-positioned letters denote the second modifier.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 9
2X
FC 2X
C - Compression X
T - Tension
U - Universal
The strain-gage bridge is symbolized by a small square, with diagonals x by x, centered in the
large square. The diagonals of the small square are drawn perpendicular to the sides of the
large square. Lines from each apex of the small square projected to the right side of the large
square represent the electrical leads.
4 Characteristics
10 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
4.1.1.5 Location of electrical connection
Indicate location and orientation of electrical connector or connecting wiring.
4.1.1.8 Weight
The weight of the transducer shall be specified in kilograms (pounds mass).
4.1.1.9 Identification
The following characteristics shall be given and preferably permanently affixed to the outside of
the transducer case and indicated on the outline drawing:
a) Nomenclature of transducer (per ISA-S37.1, Section 3)
b) Manufacturer's name, part number, and serial number
c) Range
d) Excitation
e) Identification of electrical connections
f) Bridge identification, if more than one bridge provided.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 11
e) Number of Active Strain-Gage Bridge Arms (elements)
f) One, Two-arm active, Four-arm bridge
g) Number of Strain-Gage Bridges
h) Mounting Surface Requirements
4.1.3.1 Excitation*
Expressed as "____ volts dc" or "____ volts rms at ___ Hz," or, expressed as "____ mA dc" or
"____ mA rms at ____ Hz." Preferred values of voltage 5, 10, 15, 20, and 28 volts.
*Defined in ISA-S37.1
12 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
:
W = WHITE
3/C -OUTPUT
R = RED
1/A +INPUT
W-R = WHITE-RED
5/E
1 4
W-G = WHITE-GREEN
6/F
3
G = GREEN
2 2/B +OUTPUT
W-B = WHITE-BLACK
8/H
B = BLACK
4/D -INPUT
CONNECTOR
NOTES
1. The output polarities indicated on the above wiring diagram apply when an increasing
force (compression or tension) is applied to the transducer. For universal force
transducers, the indicated polarities apply when the tension force is applied to the
transducer; a compression force will produce a negative output.
2. For shielded transducers, pins 5, 7, and 9 shall be shield terminals for 4, 6, and 8 wire
systems, respectively.
3. Type connection: Solder or weld.
NOTE — The terminals across which the resistor(s) is (are) to be placed shall be specified
if the resistor(s) is (are) listed.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 13
4.2 Performance characteristics
4.2.1 Range*
Usually expressed as "____ to ____ newtons (pounds force) compression or tension" or " ____
to ____ newtons (pounds force) compression and ____ to ____newtons (pounds force) tension."
NOTE — If 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 are used to specify performance characteristics, the tolerance
in 4.2.3 may be omitted. Alternately, the following may be specified: 4.2.3 - 4.2.6.
4.2.7 Linearity*
Expressed as " ____ linearity within ± ____% of full scale output in ____ [specify direction(s) of
loading]."
NOTE — The type of linearity specified shall be one of the types defined in ISA-S37.1;
namely, end point, independent, least squares, terminal, or theoretical slope.
4.2.8 Hysteresis
Expressed as "____% of full scale output upon application of ascending and descending forces
including rated force." Alternately, 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 may be combined as follows.
*Defined in ISA-S37.1
14 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
4.2.9 Hysteresis and linearity
Expressed as "combined hysteresis and linearity within ± ____% of full scale output upon
application of ascending and descending forces including ’rated force.’"
4.2.10 Repeatability*
Expressed as "within ____% of full scale output over a period of ____ (specify time) and with
____ cycles of load application."
Alternately 4.2.7, 4.2.8, and 4.2.10 may be combined as follows.
NOTE — The static error band includes errors due to linearity, hysteresis, and repeatability.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 15
4.2.20 Thermal sensitivity shift*
Expressed as "± ____% of sensitivity ____ per °C(°F) temperature change over temperature
range from____ to ____°C (°F).”
*Defined in ISA-S37.1
16 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
4.2.27 Abnormal loading effects (Refer to Figure 1.)
4.3.1 ambient pressure effects: The change in sensitivity and the change in zero-measurand
output due to subjecting the transducer to a specified ambient pressure change.
4.3.2 creep at load: The change in output occurring with time under rated load and with all
environmental conditions and other variables remaining constant.
4.3.3 creep recovery: The change in zero-measurand output occurring with time after removal
of rated load, which had been applied for an identical period of time as employed in evaluating
Creep at Load.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 17
18
L L L
La B
ECCENTRICITY
L a = L cos B
L s = L sin B
Figure 1
ECCENTRICITY
B B
L = Load
L a = Axial Load
L s = Side Load
4.4 Tabulated Characteristics Versus Test Requirements
Design Characteristic Verified During
Characteristics Paragraph Basic Supp. Acceptance Qual.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 19
5 Individual acceptance tests and calibrations
5.1 Basic equipment necessary to perform individual acceptance tests and calibrations
of strain-gage force transducers
The basic equipment for acceptance tests and calibration consists of a force calibrator, a source
of electrical excitation for the strain-gages, and a device which measures the electrical output of
the transducer. The errors or uncertainties of the measuring system comprising these three
components should be less than one-third of the permissible tolerance of the transducer
performance characteristic under evaluation. Traceability to the National Bureau of Standards
should be established.
20 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
HIGH ACCURACY REFERENCE FORCE TRANSDUCER
Typical ranges (tension or compression)
NOTE — The input impedance of the readout instrument should be as high as possible.
Unless otherwise stated, adjustments and compensation of the transducer apply to open
circuit conditions on the output terminals.
Results obtained during the calibration and test procedures should be recorded on data sheets
like the sample data sheets in Section 7. These procedures shall be performed under ambient
conditions as defined in 4.2.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 21
5.2.1 The transducer is inspected visually for mechanical defects, poor finish, and improper
identification markings.
5.2.2 The transducer shall be connected to the force calibrator with axial alignment as specified
by the manufacturer. The excitation source and readout instrument shall be connected to the
transducer and turned on. Adequate warm-up time for test equipment shall be allowed before tests
are conducted. The force calibrator and connecting hardware shall have passed a prior test for
proper operation. It may be desirable prior to calibration to exercise the force transducer by applying
rated load and returning to zero load, if so, the number of cycles and time duration should be noted
on the data sheet.
5.2.3 Two or more complete calibration cycles (dependent on desired statistical confidence levels)
are run consecutively, including five to ten points in both ascending and descending directions.
Excitation amplitude shall be monitored as required.
From the data obtained during these tests, the following characteristics should be determined:
a) End points 4.2.2
b) Full scale output 4.2.3
c) Zero balance 4.2.4
d) Linearity 4.2.7
e) Hysteresis 4.2.8
f) (or Hysteresis and linearity) 4.2.9
g) Repeatability 4.2.10
h) (or Static error band) 4.2.11
5.2.4 Repeated calibration cycles over a specified period of time after warmup, establish the
following characteristics for that period of time:
a) Zero drift 4.2.5
b) Sensitivity drift 4.2.6
NOTE — They may be abbreviated cycles with fewer data points than required in 5.2.3.
5.2.5 Application of rated force to the transducer during a specified short period of time and
measurement of changes in output at constant excitation during this time should establish
a) Creep at load 4.2.12
5.2.6 By measuring zero-measurand output and sensitivity over a period of time (one hour should
suffice), starting with the application of excitation to the transducer, the following characteristic
should be determined:
a) Warmup period 4.2.14
NOTE — It is desirable to test for these effects separately, establishing the warmup change
of zero-measurand output first.
22 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
NOTE: CREEP MAY ALSO
TAKE THIS FORM
t 1
t 2' 2
t
3' 3
t 0' 0
TIME
t t
6' 6 7' 7
t
5' 5
t
4
2– 3
X 100 = Creep in % rated output.
Figure 2
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 23
5.2.7 After application of the specified overload a specified number of times (and in the specified
duration for compression or tension), at least one complete calibration cycle shall be performed to
establish that the performance characteristics of the transducer are still within specifications.
a) Overload rating, safe 4.2.18
5.2.8 Measure the insulation resistance between all terminals, or leads connected in parallel, and
the case of the transducer with a megohmmeter or similar acceptable device, using a potential of
50 volts, unless otherwise specified. Insulation resistance should be measured at room
temperature.
a) Insulation resistance 4.1.3.6
5.2.9 Wheatstone bridge (for dc) or impedance bridge shall be used to measure
a) Input impedance 4.1.3.3
b) Output impedance 4.1.3.4
6 Qualification tests
The transducer shall be placed in a suitable temperature chamber. After allowing adequate
stabilization time at a specified temperature, one or more calibration cycles shall be performed
within the chamber. This procedure shall be repeated at an adequate number of temperatures
within the operating temperature range of the transducer. These tests should establish the
following characteristics:
a) Thermal sensitivity shift 4.2.20
b) Thermal zero shift 4.2.21
c) Temperature error band 4.2.22
24 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
6.3 Dynamic characteristics
The dynamic response of an installed force transducer depends on the stiffness and mass
distribution throughout the entire system in which the force transducer is a part. In many cases,
especially those which have many springs and masses, the dynamic response of the installed
force transducer may best be determined experimentally by applying a suitable time-varying
force to the complete system and measuring the output vs. time response of the transducer.
Alternatively, if the distribution of stiffness and mass throughout the system is known
quantitatively, the response of the system to a time-varying force may be computed analytically.
This approach, however, is apt to be very cumbersome unless (1) attention is limited to
frequencies from zero to a little above the lowest natural frequency and (2) the stiffness and mass
system is relatively simple.
The dynamic characteristics of the force transducer itself may be determined over a wide
frequency range with suitable test fixtures and instrumentation either by applying sinusoidal
forces or step function forces. Generally, such a determination yields very complex results. Over
a limited low frequency range, however, the dynamic response of a force transducer may be
defined adequately in terms of a simple equivalent model as shown in Figure 3.
M 1 M2
Figure 3
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 25
6.4 Life test
After applying the specified number of full range excursions of force, at least one complete
calibration cycle shall be performed to establish minimum value of
a) Cycling life 4.2.24
Expose transducer to other specified environmental conditions followed in each case by one
complete calibration cycle to test ability of transducer to perform satisfactorily after such
exposure.
After storing the transducer under specified conditions for the specified period of time, two
complete calibration cycles shall be performed to establish
a) Storage life 4.2.26
6.7.1 For determination of the effects of concentric angular loading (and side loading), insert wedge
blocks above and below the force transducers as illustrated in Figure 1a. The angle subtended by
the two larger surface areas (B) of each block shall be equivalent to the angle of interest or shall
result in the side load of interest.
6.7.1.2 Apply rated load and read output as soon as load has stabilized.
6.7.1.3 Remove load and record zero-measurand output after output has stabilized.
6.7.2 For determination of the effects of eccentric angular loading, remove the upper wedge block
(Figure 1b) and repeat steps 6.7.1.1 through 6.7.1.3. If eccentricities other than that obtained in
the foregoing are desired, a flat load button should be used and the amount of eccentricity should
be adjusted through placement of the force transducer under a convex loading ram surface.
6.7.3 For determination of the effects of eccentric loading, remove the lower wedge block, use a
flat load button, and adjust eccentricity through placement of the force transducer under the convex
loading ram surface (see Figure 1c). Repeat steps 6.7.1.1 through 6.7.1.3.
6.7.4 The effects of the various types of loading related to axial loading conditions can be
determined in accordance with the expressions included in Figure 1.
26 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
7 Test report forms
7.1 The test report forms listed are recommended for use during the testing of strain-gage force
transducers.
7.2 When using the forms, all pertinent information shall be inserted in its proper place. On some
forms, blank space has been provided for additional tests. Where the test is prolonged, more than
one form may be required.
7.3 Individual Acceptance Tests and Calibrations (Figure 4) used during acceptance testing of
Section 5 may also be used during qualification testing of Section 6.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 27
Figure 4 — Individual acceptance tests and calibrations
28 ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995)
7.4 "Environmental Test Record" (Figure 5) used to record thermal sensitivity shift, thermal zero
shift, temperature error band, temperature transit error, and other environmental tests.
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 29
Annex A — References
ISA
MISCELLANEOUS
ISA-S37.8-1982 (R1995) 31
Developing and promulgating technically sound consensus standards,
recommended practices, and technical reports is one of ISA's primary
goals. To achieve this goal the Standards and Practices Department
relies on the technical expertise and efforts of volunteer committee
members, chairmen, and reviewers.
ISA is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited
organization. ISA administers United States Technical Advisory
Groups (USTAGs) and provides secretariat support for International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) committees that develop process measurement
and control standards. To obtain additional information on the
Society's standards program, please write:
ISA
Attn: Standards Department
67 Alexander Drive
P.O. Box 12277
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
ISBN: 0-87664-381-0