AI-1000 Load Cell Interface with Analog Output
Highlights
Many applications require force or weight information to be input into a PLC in order to turn on/off a valve or set off an alarm etc. The AI-1000 Signal Conditioner is a single channel interface designed to provide a 0 to 5 V DC output proportional to applied loads into a PLC or into a Data Acquisition System to capture and record data for an experiment.
Key Features of the AI-1000 Analog Load Cell Interface:
- Works with 4-wire load cells with E+, E-, S+, S- pins
- Comes with a power supply
- Amplifies tiny millivolt signals such as those from strain gauges arranged in a Wheatstone bridge configuration
- Outputs as large a span as possible in the (0.5 to 4.5 VDC) range using potentiometers to adjust the offset and scale
- Typical noise level is +/- 1 mV with a span of around 4V (4000 mV)
- Has an external terminal block to easily attach a mV/V device like a load cell or torque sensor
- 1 Khz noise filter cuts off higher frequencies. This can be adjusted upon request.
When purchasing the AI-1000 or AI-1000-CV please select and add an analog calibration option in compression, tension or both. In compression or in tension the voltage is adjusted to fall appoximately between 0.5 to 4.5V DC or as large a span as practical. For universal mode, the zero level force is set to 2.5 VDC approx. In one direction the voltage goes from 2.5CV to 4.5 VDC and in another direction it goes from 2.5V DC to 0.5V DC. An example of a typical calibration sheet can be seen here.
If you are Ordering an Interface Only
The Interface needs to be mated and calibrated with the sensor. Once calibrated, these need to be used as a pair. You can not use the interface(s) interchangeably with other sensors.
If you are buying a new sensor with an interface, please add the appropriate Calibration Service for that sensor. For example, if you are buying a load cell then, add Compression, Tension, or Universal (both Compression and Tension) calibration, as needed for your application.
If you already have a sensor that you want to use with the new interface, you will need to send your sensor to us. Add the Calibration Service option to your order. We will calibrate the sensor with the new interface and send the calibrated pair back to you.
In case you would like to calibrate the sensor with the interface yourself, please ensure that you have the reference weights or reference equipment required for calibration and the calibration utility to compute and burn calibration coefficients. Our software LoadVUE Pro (LV-1000), SensorVUE (SV-1000), and ControlVUE (CV-1000) have the calibration utility built-in. Make sure you have the latest version of the software.
Analog Load Cell Interface Options
Analog Load Cell Configuration
Some users want a high level 0-5V analog DC output in order to work with existing data acquisition systems or PLCs. In that case, you can use this load cell with our AI-1000 Load Cell interface which provides an amplified 0.5 to 4.5V output proportional to the applied loads. We can provide the system together with calibration and the formula to convert from voltage to loads/forces when ordered in this configuration. We also offer the AI-1000-CV with 4-20 mA output if you prefer current output. Please contact us for this kit.
Kit Includes:
RAS1 S-Beam Load Cell
AI-1000 Analog Load Cell Interface
Add Calibration
Add Accessories
Kit Includes:
RSB2 Button Load Cell
AI-1000 Analog Load Cell Interface
Add Calibration
Add Accessories
Kit Includes:
RAPG Single Point Load Cell
AI-1000 Analog Load Cell Interface
Add Calibration
Add Accessories
Watch and Learn
Calibrate & Use AI-1000 Analog Signal Conditioner with your Resistive Load Cell
Using Load Cells with Analog Output & Connecting with PLCs
AI-1000-CV Load Cell Interface with Analog & Current Output
AI-1000-CV
FAQ
The AI-1000 offers a span of 4V (4000 mv) from approx. 0.5V to 4.5V DC with a noise of +/- 1 mv or less. This offers a resolution of +/- 0.025% of full scale and easily provides accuracies of the order of +/- 0.1% accuracy of full scale or better.
The AI-1000 can connect with four wire resistive load cells (mV/V) made using strain gauges in bridge configurations (half bridge, full bridge). The connection is made via a terminal block. The output is typically a DC voltage that ranges between 0.5 V to 4.5V.
The AI-1000 can only be connected with one load cell at a time. You MUST mate the AI-1000 with a load cell and calibrate it before using it. The calibration is performed by setting the R1 and R2 resistors on the front of the AI-1000. The load cell and AI-1000 must be used together as a pair. If you want to use it with another load cell then you MUST recalibrate the new pair prior to use.
Yes. You need to power the AI-1000 with a 8-24 V power supply. We include this power supply with your unit and it usually comes pre-connected and ready to use if purchased as a kit with a calibration service.
The AI-1000 offers DC voltage output proportional to the applied force/torque. Teh AI-1000-CV offers either a 0-5 V DC voltage output or a 4-20 mA current output or both. You just have to select and add the appropriate calibrations to your order.
In any circuit, the farther the signal has to travel over a conducting wire, the greater the drop of the voltage due to the inherent resistance of the cable. We recommend that you keep the distance between the AI-1000 and your PLC or DAQ under 6 feet. If you need to be farther away than that, then consider using the AI-1000-CV with current output or the digital USB or wireless versions of the interface.
We do not offer such a display at the present time. But you can buy an LCD panel meter from other vendors and program it to display the output voltage converted into a force value. We offer several digital interfaces with USB or BLE output that can connect with our DS-3000-Pro-1 Single Channel or the DS-3000-Pro-4 Four Channel Touch Screen LCD displays.
Yes. We offer calibration service on new sensor purchases as well as recalibration service for previously purchased sensors. We use NIST traceable reference standards to perform and validate the calibration and provide a free calibration certificate as part of the service. We are NOT ISO certified.
You can register on our website, login and see all prices, download spec sheets and solid models. You can also send us an email with your contact information and shipping address and we will be happy to send you a formal quote.
We give you a 30 day guiarantee for you purchase. You can exchange or return your purchased products for a refund of the purchase price of the product. Any calibration service fees, shipping and payment fees cannot be refunded. Feel free to try out our products risk free and see for yourself how easy we make it for you!
We need between one and two weeks usually to ship your order for items in stock. This is because we have to make your sensor, interface and calibrate them together, make sure the quality meets all specs and then pack and ship it to you. We offer expedited processing options if you are in a rush and need to get sensors sooner. If out of stock or if sensors are needed in volume, we could take 4-6 weeks or longer. Please contact us to get an estimate of price and lead time for your particular needs.
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