Reducing the uncertainty of strain gauge amplifier calibration

The article presents a method for calibration of strain gauge bridge amplifiers with improved uncertainty in low voltage ratio range. The procedure is based on combining traditional calibration of the amplifier at one point and linearity determination of the rest of the range. Traditional calibration is performed by a calibrated strain gauge bridge simulator at a reference value where measurement uncertainty is adequate, and the linearity is determined by a combinatorial calibration method with lower uncertainty, employing a special resistance circuit. Uncertainty in the lower part of the amplifier range can be significantly improved, resulting in a combined relative standard uncertainty below 2.5x10-5 for the range from 0.04 mV/V to 2.5 mV/V.