A load cell converts force or weight into an electrical signal, which can then be sent to a remote computer or recorder to monitor load, pressure, strain and more. Load cells are used in diverse industries where precise measurements of weight are crucial, such as the pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing, the automotive industry, and in research laboratories.
Typically, special electrical resistors called strain gages are bonded onto internal elements of a load cell, which is designed to be easily fitted to a component of the machinery or equipment. As weight or force is applied, the load cell deforms (a few thousandths of inches) proportionally to the load placed upon it. This deformity is mirrored by the strain gages, creating an analog electrical signal, typically converted to a digital format to monitor weight or force.
Load Cell Central offers different types of load cells to meet the demands required by a diverse set of industries. One convenient method of categorizing load cells types is by capacity.
Low Capacity Load Cells
This type of load cell is ideal for use in medical testing equipment, wind tunnel testing, checkweighing and parts counting scales. Low capacity load cells are those in the range roughly from 25 grams to a maximum capacity of 150 pounds.
This load cell type is designed to sense between 200 and 20,000 pounds and provides accurate weight measurements as part of industrial scales, truck and track scales, bolt force measurement equipment, platform scales and more.
High capacity load cells range from 25,000 to 1 million pounds and above. Applications utilizing high capacity load cells include concrete batch plants, destructive and non-destructive testing in laboratories, pile testing, mooring testing, and rolling mills.
Load Cell Central carries several types of submersible load cells for applications requiring underwater measurements, as well as custom-designed load cells for specific industry applications built to your specifications.
First and foremost, the application of the load cell must be considered. The type and capacity of the load cell must meet the demands that will be imposed on it.
Does it need to measure tension, compression, or both?
How much force is going to be measured? Generally, the maximum load to be measured should equal approximately 80% of the load cell’s capacity to allow for some overload protection.
For a better understanding of what kinds of load cells are available and how they are used, please read our white paper “Load Cell Types and Uses”.
