LabVIEW Strain Gauge is Not at Zero With No Load

Updated Dec 13, 2023

Reported In

Hardware

  • NI-9237

Issue Details

I have a C Series Strain/Bridge Input Module and no applied load but my reading is not zero. Why?

Solution

When you install a bridge-based sensor, the bridge probably will not output exactly 0 V when not under load. Slight variations in resistance among the bridge legs generate some nonzero initial offset voltage. Use the DAQmx Perform Bridge Offset Nulling Calibration VI/function or the DAQ Assistant to perform an offset nulling calibration, which performs bridge balancing in a few different ways. Refer to the device documentation to determine the offset nulling methods your device provides.