I am using an MCP6N11-100 to amplify the signal out of a 2 mV/V load cell with a excitation voltage of 10 V, so the maximum output (differential) would be 20 mV. The load cell is rated for 4000 kg.
I am using the instrumentation amplifier in the following configuration. Note that at the inputs I have the outputs of the load cell connected directly. Rf = 9.9 kΩ and Rg = 55 Ω giving a gain of ~181 (both resistor values are measured). VREF is grounded.
My problem is that the gain doesn't seem to be 181 until there is sufficient difference between the inputs of the instrumentation amplifier. Suppose the difference is just 0.5 mV. The op-amp outputs 200 mV giving a gain of almost 200! However, as the difference is increased to 2 mV the output now is 366 mV to 368 mV – matching the gain much more accurately (183 vs 200). Why is this discrepancy present at low levels of input? My guess is that it's the offset voltage. The datasheet suggests that the MCP6N11-100 has a maximum Vos of 0.35 mV. Could this be the cause?
Best Answer
Why don't you get an ac signal source, attenuate it 500:1 with a 499 ohm resistor and a 1 ohm resistor and insert this into one grounded element of the bridge. DC offset introduced can be countered with another 1 ohm resistor in the bottom leg of the other grounded element.
Also shown is a method that doesn't break-into the bridge - it applies a high value resistor across one of the grounded bridge elements in order to simulate a shift in bridge output. This can be controlled with a fet fed with a squarewave as shown. It's even possible to use an opto-coupler in this type of application should the return line of the bridge be very sensitive.
Now you can inject (say) 1kHz at a known measurable amplitude and see what comes out from the instrumentation amplifier. If the AC gain is fine then you have to look at the dc issues that may be causing your problem BUT until you rid yourself of the doubts about ac gain you might keep going round in circles.