Description
The SM-5 is composed of two end pieces joined by a tube that protects a length of steel wire. An electromagnet is placed in a protective hou sing located at the center of the tube. The exterior forces applied on the strain gauge modify the tension in the wire and, consequently, the wire`s resonant frequency that is read by the electromagnet. The SM-5 vibrating wire strain gauges are offered in two models: SM-5A and SM-5B, which differ in their mechanical supports. Both models are threaded between two anchor blocks. The SM-5A is held tight by set screws and the SM-5B by hexagonal nuts.
Unless otherwise specified, the gauge tension is factory-adjusted at mid-range and can later be modified by the user according to the anti cipated strain direction. A built-in compressed spring compensates for the wire tension and contributes to making the SM-5 a very compliant gauge. A thermistor incorporated into the gauge supplies information on the effects of temperature on the materials.
