A strain gauge is a device used to measure strain on an object. It works by measuring the change in electrical resistance across a thin conductive foil, which varies in proportion to the amount of strain in the device. Strain is the deformation or displacement of material that results from an applied stress. Stress is the force applied to a material, divided by the material’s cross-sectional area. Load cells are designed to focus stress through beam elements where strain gauges are located. Strain gauges convert the applied force, pressure, torque, etc., into an electrical signal which can be measured. The capabilities of strain gauges include the ability to measure tensile, compressive, bending, torsional, and shear stresses. They can measure the most minute and indistinct changes in the geometry of an object. Since the change in resistance is very small, strain gauges have very thin metallic strips sensitive to the smallest amount of resistance. Linear strain gauges measure strain in one direction and have the simplest construction and the lowest cost, making them suitable for general use, such as load testing.