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Load Cells and Accessories
When you measure forces or loads, in addition to the capacity and size of the load cell, a number of application requirements need to be carefully considered. These include:
- Operating Temperature Conditions (Well controlled, room temperature or outdoor, harsh environments with changing humidity and temperature)
- Duration of measurement (Short term measurement with a Tare or longer term measurements where Tare is not feasible)
- Absolute Accuracy Required (as a percentage of full scale output or as a percentage of reading)
- Direction of loading (tension or compression or both)
- Certifications Needed (for trade applications needing NTEP or OIML certifications or test and measurement needing ASTM E-74 OR R & D)
- Mounting Options (Fasten sensor on both sides or no need for fastening at all)
- Output required (Analog mV/V, 0-5V, 4-20mA, Digital USB, Digital Wireless, Digital RS-232/485)
- Measurement Speed (1Hz or up to 100Hz or faster than 100Hz)
- Total cost of operation (small quantity or large volumes)
Overall we offer two broad categories of load/force/weight measurement solutions: Resistive Load Cells and Capacitive Load Cells
Resistive Load Cells
Resistive load cells are load/weight/force sensors made using strain gauges that are bonded to a metallic member. When the metallic member flexes due to applied loads/forces/weights, then the strain on the strain gauges change that result in a change in the output from a wheatstone bridge network. Applying a 10V DC input voltage typically results in an output of about 20 mV in the total output from the circuit.
For applications that need high accuracies, NTEP/OIML Certifications, or operate under changing temperature conditions from -10C to 40C and/or need long term stability, we recommend you use our resistive load cells with either the DI-1000 Series Digital Load Cell Interfaces or the AI-1000 Series Analog Interfaces for your application.
Capacitive Load Cells
Capacitive load cells are very rugged and are great for short duration testing in controlled room temperature conditions. In general, our capacitive load cells are an excellent integrated solution for short term measurement of forces/loads under room temperature conditions when you can TARE or zero out the readings before measuring the force.
Comparison of Capacitive and Resistive Load Cells
| Capacitive Load Cells | Resistive Load Cells | |
| Accuracy Class | Moderate: +/- 0.25% to +/- 2% of FS | Accuracy: +/- 0.02% to +/- 0.5% of FS |
| Operating Temperature | Room Temp: 25 C +/- 5 C | -10 C to 40C |
| Smallest Available Size | 1.25 inch or 32.75 mm diameter, 7 mm high | 0.4 inch or 10 mm diameter, 3 mm high |
| Certifications | CE | NTEP, FM, OIML Available |
| Output Type | iLoad Mini: Frequency; iLoad, iLoad TR, iLoad Pro: Serial TTL or UART or USB or Analog 0-5 V DC |
millivolt (mV/V) |
| Available Interfaces | DQ-1000, DQ-4000, DS-4000, DS-3000-Pro, DS-4000-Pro | DI-100U, DI-1000U, DI-4000U, DS-3000, RD-1000 |
| Types of Load Cells | Button/Pancake Style Load Cells | S-Beam, Single Point, Pancake, Button |
| Price Range - Load Cells | $199 to $749 for load cells only | $199 to $999 for load cells only |
| Price range - Solutions | $499 to $999 with USB Output & Software | $599 to $1499 with USB Output & Software |
These single point load cells are suitable for health kiosks and other larger size tote, pallet and floor scales. They have four mounting holes on each side to allow for robust mounting of loading platform and base. They are available in 750 lb capacities. Dimensions: 6.86" x 2.36" x 2.56" For more information see our RAP3 Single Point Load Cell
RAP3 Weigh Module and Software
The RAP3 USB weigh module kit includes four weigh modules built using RAP3 single point load cells, four USB load cell interfaces (Di-1000U) that are calibrated to one load cell, a four port USB hub and LV-4000 four channel display and logging software. The load cells are available in 50 lb, 100. For more information see our RAP3 Weigh Module and Software
RAP4 Low Profile Single Point Load Cell
These single point load cells are suitable for health kiosks (sitting and standing versions) and other industrial weighing applications. They have excellent off center loading error correction and are compensated for temperature variations from -10C to 40C. It is currently available in 300 kg (660. For more information see our RAP4 Low Profile Single Point Load Cell
RAPG Low Capacity Single Point Aluminum Load Cell
These small, low profile(70 mm x 15 mm x 22 mm), single point beam load cells are the most commonly used load cells for small precision scales with maximum 6"x6" platform size and capacities up to 3 kg. They offer good off-center compensation and are available in 300 g, 1, 2 or 3 kg. in the small. For more information see our RAPG Low Capacity Single Point Aluminum Load Cell
Named for their distinctive S shape, S-Beam load cells (or S beam Load cells) are one of the most versatile load cells available in the market and offer the best solution for applications that need both tension and compression force measurement. They are most often found in batching scales,. For more information see our RAS1 S-Beam Load Cell
RD-1000 Resistive Load Cell Display
Loadstar Sensor's RD-1000 digital scale indicator will interface with all strain-gauge load cells configurations. It provides all the basic scale operational features for the least cost. The standard features provide for easy setup and calibration to the For more information see our RD-1000 Resistive Load Cell Display
These tiny sub miniature load cells have excellent accuracy and stability for compression force measurement. They are suitable for applications where there is very little space available for placing the load cells. These load cells are available in 2 kg, 10 kg and 100 kg capacities, with diameters. For more information see our REB5 Subminiature Load Cell
REB7 Universal Sub Miniature Load Cell
These tiny sub miniature load cells have excellent accuracy and stability for compression and tension and universal force measurement. They are suitable for applications where there is very little space available for placing the load cells. These load cells are available in 1 kg, 2 kg, 10 kg and. For more information see our REB7 Universal Sub Miniature Load Cell
The RES2 S-Beam Jr. load cell is a miniature version of the RAS1 S-Beam load cells. These load cells are ideal for tension and universal load measurement applications where space is limited. They are less than an inch wide, less than an inch high and only a quarter of an inch thick. These load. For more information see our RES2 S-Beam Jr, Load Cell
RRP1 Single Point, NTEP Load Cell
NTEP certified load cells for scales and process control applications. Available in capacities up to 100 kgs and +/- 0.02% full scale accuracy. For more information see our RRP1 Single Point, NTEP Load Cell