Bridge Amps

Overview

ADInstruments Bridge Amps are single-channel or multi-channel, non-isolated bridge amplifiers designed to allow the PowerLab to connect to most DC bridge transducers, including commonly available force transducers, temperature probes, light meters, displacement transducers, pressure transducers, and similar devices. They are capable of supporting various powered transducers, and certain low impedance unpowered transducers. To connect transducers with Grass connectors, purchase a Grass Adapter Cable.

Configurations

Bridge Amp
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https://www.adinstruments.com/products/bridge-amps#product-FE221

FE221

A single-channel, non-isolated bridge amplifier designed to allow the PowerLab to connect to most DC bridge transducers.

Octal Bridge Amp
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https://www.adinstruments.com/products/bridge-amps#product-FE228

FE228

An eight-channel, non-isolated bridge amplifier designed to allow the PowerLab to connect to most DC bridge transducers.

Quad Bridge Amp
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https://www.adinstruments.com/products/bridge-amps#product-FE224

FE224

A four-channel, non-isolated bridge amplifier designed to allow the PowerLab to connect to most DC bridge transducers.

Research Applications

Details

Features

Low-drift instrumentation amplifier
Software-controlled zeroing
Wide amplification range (±200 µV to ±5 V in 14 steps) for use with a wide range of transducers
A high impedance input (2 x 1 MΩ single-ended, 2 MΩ differential) ensures that the Bridge Amp will not load the transducer
Overload light to indicate whether the attached transducer is operating correctly or incorrectly

Product Codes

FE221

Bridge Amp

FE228

Octal Bridge Amp

FE224

Quad Bridge Amp

Technical

Single, Quad and Octal Bridge Amps (FE221, FE224 & FE228)

Input

Number of inputs: 1 (single), 4 (Quad) or 8 (Octal); 8-pin DIN
Input configuration: Differential
Amplification range: ±200 μV to ±5 V full scale in 14 steps (combined PowerLab and Bridge Amp)
- ±5 V
- ±2 V
- ±1 V
- ±500 mV
- ±200 mV
- ±100 mV
- ±50 mV
- ±20 mV
- ±10 mV
- ±5 mV
- ±2 mV
- ±1 mV
- ±500 μV
- ±200 μV
Amplification accuracy: ±0.5% (combined PowerLab & Bridge Amp)
Maximum input voltage: ±10 V
Input impedance: 2 x 1 MΩ (Single-ended); 2 MΩ (Differential)
Low-pass filtering: 1 Hz to 2 kHz in eight steps (software selectable)
Frequency response (-3 dB): 2 kHz maximum at all gains with the 2 kHz filter selected.
CMRR (differential): 100 dB at 50 Hz (typical).
Input noise: <1μV_rms referred to input at highest gain

Excitation and Zeroing

Excitation voltage range: 0-20 volts DC (±10 V referred to ground), adjusted by external resistor
Transducer drive current: ±45 mA maximum
Zeroing circuitry: Software-controlled, either manual or automatic Internal offsetting range: ±10 V (1 V - 5 V range) ±1 V (100 mV - 500 mV range) ±100 mV (200 μV - 50mV)
Internal offset resolution: 16 bit (internal DAC) ± 32 000 steps about 0 V.
- 1, 2, 5 V -310 μV/step
- 100 mV, 200 mV, 500 mV - 31 μV/step
- 200 μV to 50 mV - 3 μV/step

Control Port

I²C port: Power and control bus for front-end units.
Supports a number of front-ends dependent on the PowerLab.
Interface communications rate of ~50 Kbits/s.

Physical Configuration

Dimensions (h × w × d) and Weight:
- Single (FE221): 55 mm × 120 mm × 260 mm (2.2" × 4.7" × 10.2"); 1.2 kg
- Quad (FE224): 55 mm × 240 mm × 260 mm (2.2" × 9.4" × 10.2"); 2.1 kg
- Octal (FE228): 70 mm × 240 mm × 260 mm (2.8" × 9.4" × 10.2"); 2.6 kg
Power requirements: 0.8 W (FE221); 2.5 W (FE224); 5.0 W (FE228) (without transducer attached)
Operating temperature range: 5 to 35 °C, 0 to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing)

Safety

EMC: Approved to EN61326-1:2006 Standard

ADInstruments reserves the right to alter these specifications at any time.

Requirements

PowerLab /25, /30 and /35 or later units
Either LabChart 6 or later (Windows and Macintosh) or Chart 5.4.2 or later (Windows and Macintosh)
Scope for Windows (3.7.8 or later) or Scope for Mac (4.0.3 or later)

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