Mantracourt Electronics Limited
– ICA User Manual
2
Chapter 1 The ICA Range
Figure 1.1 Block Diagram
The ICA is a Strain Gauge Amplifier, converting a strain gauge input to a volt or mA output – otherwise known as a
Signal Conditioner.
The ICA provides a wide range of signal conditioning for Strain Gauges, Load Cells, Pressure and Torque Transducers.
Offered in 5 Very High Stability versions:
ICA1H
3 wire - 0.1 to 10.1 V
ICA2H
3 wire - 0.1 to 5.1 V
ICA3H
4 wire -
10V /
15 V supply
ICA4H
3 wire - 4 to 20 mA
ICA6H
3 wire –
10 V / 15-24 V supply
Industrial Stability versions:
ICA5 S & A 2 wire – 4 to 20mA
N.B. The ICA5 is designed for a 1000 ohm bridge or higher, however 350 ohms
can
be used but with reduced
performance (see Chapter 2 ‘ICA5S & ICA5A’)Transducer
SENSITIVITY
of between 0.5 mV/V and greater than 10 mV/V
are possible. As supplied they are optimised to 2.5 mV/V. This range covers most, but not all strain gauges.
Sensitivity adjustment (
SPAN
) is achieved by a combination of changing the gain (SPAN) resistor ‘R’ (see chapter 2)
and associated
fine adjustment
by potentiometer.
Similarly transducer
ZERO
can be compensated for in the module by means of the ZERO potentiometer. This
adjustment is to remove the effects of slight errors in the strain gauge. It is not intended to act as an offset tare due to
its limited range of adjustment
The ICA6H
The ICA6H is a two-part module which combines an ICA3H with a DC-DC power module.
The power module generates both positive and negative supply rails for the ICA3H thereby enabling it to produce its
normal ±10 V output from a single 15-24 V supply.
The ICA6H also has pads on its underside which can be used to mount and provide connections for a range of
Transducer Electronic Data Sheet ICs (TEDS).