BINSFELD ENGINEERING INC.

SHAFT STRAIN
GAGING
Quick Reference Guide
 SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

Is it difficult to install a strain gage?

Strain gage installation is a straightforward task, and can be accomplished with minimal
training and experience. The majority of Binsfeld torque telemetry customers opt to
install a strain gage themselves. Binsfeld provides unlimited support to help coach you
through the process.

How long does it take to install a strain gage?

A strain gage can typically be installed in less than 2 hours, although timing can vary
depending on such factors as the condition of the shaft surface and the experience
level of the installer.

What materials do I need to install a strain gage?

In addition to the gages, all materials needed to install a gage are sold in a convenient
all-in-one application kit, which can be purchased directly from Binsfeld Engineering.
The kit includes the basic components of sanding paper, conditioner, catalyst, bonding
agent, and a polyurethane coating.

Can a strain gage be re-used?

No. Once the strain gage is glued to the shaft, it has been “consumed.” It cannot be
removed and installed in a second location. This is due to the sensitivity of the gage.
Gages can easily become damaged during removal, and any remaining glue can
introduce artificial stresses in the gage, ultimately leading to inaccurate strain
measurements.

How long does a strain gage last?

A strain gage can remain valid for years, especially if it is protected with M-Coat J
protective coating. Binsfeld recommends this coating be used in addition to the
Polyurethane that is part of a standard strain gage install.

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

 SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions for installation of a gage on a steel shaft

1. Prepare shaft surface

• Rinse with M-Prep Neutralizer and wipe dry.
• Remove paint and other coatings; degrease as necessary.
• Rough sand with 220 grit paper then polish with 400 grit paper.
• Finish sanding with 400 grit paper and M-Prep Conditioner.
• Rinse with M-Prep Conditioner.

2. Mark shaft surface for strain gage orientation and alignment. The strain gage
should be installed flat and square to the axis of the shaft. For a straight reference
line square to the axis, wrap a piece of paper around the shaft, align the edges and
then mark or etch the straight reference line onto the shaft.

3. Prepare strain gage for mounting. Part # CEA-06-250US-350 is a common

torque-pattern strain gage.
• Remove strain gage from package.
• Visually inspect strain gage for any damage
• Apply cellophane tape to top side of gage. Use the tape as a “handle.”

4. Position strain gage before gluing:

• Tape gage in place on the shaft using reference marks on shaft and gage for
alignment.
• Lift one end of tape and “hinge” back to expose bottom of gage.
• Apply an even, thin layer of catalyst to bottom side of gage and let dry.

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

 SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Step-By-Step guide for installation of a gage on a steel shaft

5. Glue strain gage to surface:

• With the gage/tape still hinged back, apply bead of M-Bond 200 Adhesive where
the tape meets the shaft surface. (M-Bond 200 is a special Cyanoacrylate which
has been pretested and certified for use in bonding strain gages – manufactured
by Vishay Measurements Group)
• Using Teflon film or equivalent as a non-stick barrier between your thumb and the
adhesive, press the gage/tape to shaft surface with single rolling/wiping motion of
the thumb.

6. Apply thumb pressure for one minute, followed by a minimum two-minute

wait before removing the cellophane tape. Bond strength increases rapidly
during first five minutes.

7. Perform visual inspection and resistance check on the gages per the
appropriate wiring diagram. Be sure to also check for short to shaft. If resistance
is significantly off or there is a short to the shaft, a new gage should be installed.

8. Attach leadwires per wiring diagram

• Discard Teflon film and carefully peel back cellophane tape from the strain gage.
• Tin with solder the solder pads of the strain gage plus the leadwires. Attach
leadwires to solder pads.
• Clean solder joints with rosin solvent.

9. Protect the gage and wires

• For waterproofing – Apply polyurethane coating to strain gage and solder joints.
• For mechanical protection – Cover the gage with butyl rubber or equivalent.
• For electrical shielding – Cover the strain gage and leadwires with aluminum tape
or equivalent.

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

 SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Considerations for more complex installations

Irregular Shaft Materials

• If installing the strain gage on a material other than steel, then the surface
preparation requirements will be different from the steps listed in the previous
section. See Vishay’s Strain Gage Surface Preparation Guide (Instruction Bulletin B-
129-8) for detailed surface preparation instructions for different materials.
• Installing a strain gage on carbon fiber for torque measurement is not
recommended. Installing the strain gage on carbon fiber shaft material presents a
difficult challenge – calibration. Calibrating the torque/strain measurement is not
possible using a mathematical equation because carbon fiber is not “homogeneous
and isotropic”, as are steel, aluminum and common metals. The carbon fibers are
oriented in the shaft, so torque/strain sensitivity at 0° does not necessarily equal
sensitivity at 90°, for example. Instead, a metal portion of the shaft (such as a
coupling) should be used.

Irregular Shaft Geometries

• Welded seams may induce some non-linearity. If it is an extruded section then the
output should be closer to linear. Placing the gages on the faces that do not have the
seam would be best.
• For couplings, a chevron strain gage that cancels bending is recommended
• For tapered shafts, use the same gage as would be used on a normal shafts. If
using a calculator for torque telemetry, use the average diameter at the gage
location.
• A typical keyway (i.e. one that is not unusually deep or wide) has a negligible effect
(less than a few percent) on the accuracy of the torque measurements presuming
the gage is mounted 180° from the key slot.

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

 SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

TYPES OF STRAIN GAGES

Determining which type of strain gage is best for your application

Strain gages come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the selection of an appropriate
strain gage depends on the specifics of the application. Shown below are the 4 most
common types of gages used for force measurements on rotating shafts. All gages are
manufactured by Vishay Micro Measurements and are compatible with Binsfeld torque
telemetry systems. Proceeding pages include a wiring diagram for each gage.

Strain Gage - Measure Torque.

Part # CEA-06-250US-350
Full-Bridge configuration, 350 ohms. Use one piece per shaft.

Strain Gage - Measure Torque. Insensitive to Bending Strain.

Part # CEA-06-187UV-350
Half-Bridge configuration, 350 ohm. Use two pieces per shaft, 180 degrees
apart, wired together to form a full-bridge sensor.

Strain Gage - Measure Axial Strain (Thrust/Compression or Tension.)

Part # CEA-06-250UT-350
Half-Bridge configuration, 350 ohm. Use two pieces per shaft, 180 degrees
apart, wired together to form a full-bridge sensor.

Strain Gage - Measure Bending. Insensitive to Torque & Axial Strain.

Part # EA-06-250MQ-350
Half-Bridge configuration, 350 ohm. Use two pieces per shaft, 180 degrees
apart, wired together to form a full-bridge sensor.

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

SHAFT STRAIN GAGING GUIDE

BINSFELD.COM | 1.231.334.4383 | Maple City, MI, USA

BINSFELD ENGINEERING INC.
4571 W. MacFarlane Road, Maple City, MI 49664 USA
binsfeld.com | 231-334-4383 | sales@binsfeld.com
Authorized Binsfeld Engineering Sales Representative