Question

Even when using three-wire connections to a strain gage to reduce the effects of leadwire resistance changes with temperature, a phenomenon called leadwire desensitization can occur. If the magnitude of the leadwire resistance exceeds 0.1% of the nominal gage resistance, significant error can result. Assuming a 22-gauge (AWG)^† copper leadwire (resistivity 1.68·10^-8 Ωm) and a standard 120 Ω gage, how long can the (individual) leads (in inches) be before there is leadwire desensitization?

Answer 1