resistive strain sensor

Yes, but you need to prep the surface first. Grind down high spots, fill pores with epoxy, then sand smooth. We can include a surface preparation kit with your order: adhesive, sandpaper, and cleaning wipes. If the concrete is too uneven, consider using an embedment strain gauge; we cast it right into the concrete during pouring.

Foil gauges are more stable over months and years, and they cost less. Semiconductor types have a gauge factor maybe 50 to 80 times higher, so they pick up microstrains that foil would miss. The tradeoff is that semiconductor sensors drift more with temperature and are more fragile. Most of our structural monitoring clients stick with foil unless they're measuring dynamic strain in lab conditions.

We ship sensors with a calibration sheet that lists the exact gauge factor and resistance. Your datalogger needs to support strain-gauge inputs, usually a Wheatstone bridge circuit. Wire the three or four leads according to the color code on the sheet, and set the bridge configuration in the logger's software. If you get stuck, our support team can check your wiring diagram by email.

Yes. Standard is 3 meters, but we can attach up to 50-meter shielded cables from the factory. Just tell us the length when you request a quote. Extra-long cables add lead resistance, so we switch to a three-wire quarter-bridge connection to compensate. No extra charge for the wiring change.