Load cells or load sensors are force transducers that convert a physical force such as a compression or tension force or a push or pull force into a change in a parameter such as resistance or capacitance that brings about a change in electrical signal proportional to the applied force. Load cells are what you'll find in a typical bathroom scale or one in a grocery checkout counter. They are ubiquitous and used in elevators, surgical tools, automobiles, aircraft and other applications. It might not be an overstatement to say that global commerce as we know it might come to a halt if it were not for these load cells or force sensors!
CompressionTensionUniversalButtonPancakeLow ProfileSingle PointShear BeamS-BeamMiniatureSub MiniatureThrough HoleWater ProofLoad Cell
Overview of Load Cells
Load Cell Selection Criteria
The above section showed you different types of load cells. Here are some important factors to consider when you pick a load cell for your application.
WaterProof Load Cells
NTEP Rated Load Cells
Operating Temperature Conditions
Max Range & Accuracy
Size Constraints
Off center loading
Configure your Load Cell Solution
Select Sensor
Pick a Load Cell
Pick the right load cell for your application based on:
Max Range, Accuracy, Operating Conditions & Certifications
Select Sensor
Select Interface
Pick an Interface
Pick an Interface based on:
Number of Channels, Output Type, Digital (UART, USB, WiFi, BLE, XBee), Analog (mV/V, 0-5 VDC, 4-20 mA), Data Update Rate Needed
Select Calibration Mode
Pick a Calibration Mode
Pick a Calibration Mode:
Compression, Tension, Universal
Select Calibration Mode
Select a Display
Pick a Display
Pick a Display:
Touch Screen LCD, Software on PC/Tablet, DAQ or PLC
Compression Load Cells
We offer a range of compression load cells for compression force measurement or push force measurement. They range in size from just 10 mm or less than half an inch diameter and capacity as small as a few pounds of force to several inches in diameter and up to 10,000 lbs of push force. Just place it on a flat surface and push on top of the button to measure the compressive force.
RSB5
The smallest, thinnest load cell we offer
Capacities: 150 g (0.25 lb), 500 g (1.1 lb), 1 kg (2.2 lb), 2.5 kg (5 lb), 5 kg (10 lb) to 25 kg (50 lb)
Size: 10mm diameter (0.4 inch), 3 mm high (0.1 inch)
Accuracy Class: 0.5% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: 15C to 60C
REB5
The most economical miniature load cell we offer
Capacities: 2 kg (4.4 lb), 5 kg (11 lb), 10 kg (22 lb) & 100 kg (220 lb)
Size: 13mm diameter (0.5 inch), 7 mm high (0.27 inch)
Accuracy Class: 1% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RSB2
The most popular button load cell we offer
Capacities: 25 kg (55 lb), 50 kg (110 lb), 100 kg (220 lb), 250 kg (550 lb), 500 kg (1100 lb), 1000 kg (2200 lb)
Size: 50 mm diameter (<2 inch), 22 mm high (< 1 inch)
Accuracy Class: 0.05% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RSB1
High Capacity button type load cell
Capacities: 2000 kg (4400 lb), 5000 kg (11,000 lb)
Size: 82 mm diameter (~ 3.2 inch), 44 mm high (~ 1.75 inch)
Accuracy Class: 0.05% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
S-Beam - Tension & Compression Load Cells
We offer a range of S-beam Load Cells for tension and compression force measurement. The S Beam load cells can be used to measure pull or push forces. They range in size from just 20 mm or less than an inch height and capacity as small as a few pounds of force to several inches in height and up to 40,000 lbs of push or pull force. These load cells can be calibrated to be used in compression only, tension only or in universal mode. Just specify the right calibration when buying the load cell you need.
RES2
This is the smallest S-beam Miniature Load Cell we offer
Capacities: 5 kg (11 lb), 10 kg (22 lb), 50 kg ( 110 lb)
Accuracy Class: 0.5% of full scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RAS1
This is the most popular S-beam Load Cell we offer
Capacities: ~10 kg (25 lb) to 20 Tonnes ( 40K lb)
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of full scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RRS3
This is one of two waterproof load cells we offer
Capacities: 100 kg (225 lb), 500 kg ( 1125 lb)
Accuracy Class: 0.05% of full scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RRS4
This is one of two waterproof load cells we offer
Capacities: 1000 kg (2250 lb), 5000 kg ( 11,250 lb)
Accuracy Class: 0.05% of full scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
Single Point Load Cells
The single point load cells are one of the most accurate load cells we offer and are particularly good for building scales that need to bear off center loads. They are used widely to build weight scales and are one of the most common load cells available in the market. They can be used to measure compression forces or tension forces if calibrated in both directions. We offer them in various sizes and capacities and some with NTEP certifications.
RAPG
This is the smallest single point Load Cell we offer
Capacities: 100 g (0.25 lb), 300 g (0.7 lb), 1 kg ( 2.2 lb), 2 kg ( 4.4 lb) & 3 kg ( 6.6 lb)
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of full scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RSP1
This is the most popular Single Point Load Cell we offer
Capacities: 3 kg (6.6 lb), 5 kg (11 lb), 10 kg (22 lb), 20 kg (44 lb), 50 kg (110 lb)
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of full scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RAP4/RAP3
This single point Load Cell is used to construct larger scales > 12" x 12"
Capacities: ~50 kg (RAP4, 110 lb), 250 kg (RAP4, 220 lb) and 750 kg (RAP3, 1650 lb)
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of full scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RRP1/RRP2
These are the two NTEP Load Cells we offer.
Capacities: RRP1 up to 100 kg (220 lb) & RRP2 up to 600 kg (1250 lb)
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of full scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
Miniature & Sub-Miniature Load Cells
Miniature and sub-miniature load cells are the smallest load cells we offer and are used in application that have very small openings and are constrained by available space. Some load cells like the RSB5, REB5 button laod cells can be used to measure compression forces only whereas some such as the REB7 or RES2 miniature S-Beam load cell or the iLoad Mini Capacitive load cells with threaded stud can be used to measure tension or both compression and tension if calibrated in both directions.
RSB5
The smallest, thinnest load cell we offer
Capacities: 150 g (0.25 lb), 500 g (1.1 lb), 1 kg (2.2 lb), 2.5 kg (5 lb), 5 kg (10 lb) to 25 kg (50 lb)
Size: 10mm diameter (0.4 inch), 3 mm high (0.1 inch)
Accuracy Class: 0.5% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: 15C to 60C
REB5
The most economical miniature load cell we offer
Capacities: 2 kg (4.4 lb), 5 kg (11 lb), 10 kg (22 lb) & 100 kg (220 lb)
Size: 13mm diameter (0.5 inch), 7 mm high (0.27 inch)
Accuracy Class: 1% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RSB7
Miniature load cell for push & pull applications
Capacities: 50 g (0.1 lb), 150 g (0.3 lb), 250 g (0.5 lb), 500 g (1.1 lb), 1 kg (2.2 lb)
Size: 25 mm diameter (<1 inch), 35 mm high (< 2 inch)
Accuracy Class: 0.25% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: 15C to 70C
REB7
Economical Miniature load cell for push & pull applications
Capacities: 1 kg (2.2 lb), 2 kg (4.4 lb), 5 kg (11 lb), 10 kg (22 lb), 100 kg (220 lb)
Size: 25 mm diameter (~1 inch), 38 mm high (< 2 inch)
Accuracy Class: 1% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
Capacitive Load Cells
Capacitive load cells work on the principle of change in capacitance in response to an applied force. When a force is applied, the change in gap between two capacitive plates leads to a change in capacitance. This change in capacitance is measured as a change in frequency. The iLoad Mini Load Cells output frequency and need the DQ-1000U or DQ-4000U frequency to UART/USB interface devices to output force data. The iLoad, iLoad TR and iLoad Pro sensors are fully integrated load cells with UART/USB digital calibrated outputs that can connect directly with a PC/Mac/Linux computer to display or gather data.
These capacitive load cells are meant for use under controlled room temperature (~25C) conditions and provide data at a maximum of 150 Hz (base models) or 500 Hz (high speed version). These load cells offer accuracies from +/- 0.25% of full scale to +/- 1% of full scale and are considered moderate accuracy, general purpose force sensors.
iLoad
Low Profile Digital Load Cell with UART/USB Output
Capacities: 50 lb, 100 lb, 250 lb, 500 lb
Size: Dia 3 inch, 0.5 inch high
Accuracy Class: 0.25% of FS
Operating Temp Range: 20C to 30C Controlled Steady State
iLoad TR
Tilt Resistant Digital Load Cell with UART/USB Output
Capacities: 10 lb, 50 lb, 100 lb
Size: Dia. 3 inch, 1 inch high
Accuracy Class: 0.25% of FS
Operating Temp Range: 20C to 30C Controlled Steady State
iLoad Pro
Digital Load Cell with UART/USB Output
Capacities: 50 lb, 100 lb, 250 lb, 500 lb, 1K lb, 2.5K lb, 5K, 10K lb
Size: Dia 3.25 inch, 0.5 inch high
Accuracy Class: 0.25% - 1% of FS
Operating Temp Range: 20C to 30C Controlled Steady State
iLoad Flex
Thin Flexible Miniature Load Cell with UART/USB Output
Capacities: 10 lb
Size: Dia. 10 mm, 3 mm high
Accuracy Class: 1-2% of Full Scale
Operating Temp Range: 20C to 30C Controlled Steady State
iLoad Mini
The smallest, thinnest capacitive load cell we offer
Capacities: 10 lb, 50 lb, 100 lb, 200 lb
Size: Dia. 1.25 inch, 0.25 inch high
Accuracy Class: 0.5% - 1% FS
Operating Temp Range: 20C to 30C Controlled Steady State
iLoad Mini Stud
Mini load cell with stud for compression & tension
Capacities: 10 lb, 50 lb, 100 lb, 200 lb
Size: Dia. 1.25 inch, 0.8 inch high
Accuracy Class: 0.5% to 1% of FS
Operating Temp Range: 20C to 30C Controlled Steady State
iLoad Mini Pro
High Capacity Miniature Load Cell
Capacities: 500 lb, 1K lb, 2.5K lb, 5K lb
Size: Dia 2 inch, 1 inch high
Accuracy Class: 1% of FS
Operating Temp Range: 20C to 30C Controlled Steady State
iLoad Mini Pro Stud
High Capacity Miniature Load Cell with Stud
Capacities: 500 lb, 1K lb, 2.5K lb, 5K lb
Size: Dia 2 inch, 1 inch high
Accuracy Class: 1% of FS
Operating Temp Range: 20C to 30C Controlled Steady State
Specialty Load Cells
Some applications need special load cells such as a through hole load cell, a tank weighing load cell or a pedal force load cell to meet very specific application needs. Here are a few load cells that are unique and may fit your needs.
RSB6
Low profile, Through Hole Load Cell
Capacities: 250 kg (550 lb), 500 kg (1100 lb), 1000 kg (2,200 lb), 2500 kg (5,500 lb) & 5000 kg (11,000 lb)
Size: Dia. 75 mm to 140 mm, 25-40 mm high
Accuracy Class: 0.05% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RAL1
High Capacity Pancake load cell
Capacities: 5K lb, 10K lb, 25K lb, 50K lb & 100,K lb
Size: Dia. 4 to 6 inch, 2.25 to 4.5 inch high
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RMW1
Tank Weighing Load Cell
Capacities: 1K lb. 2.5K lb, 5K lb, 10K lb & 20 klb
Size: 4 inch x 4 inch by under 2.5 inch high
Accuracy Class: 0.03% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 65C
Pedal Force
Pedal Force Load Cell
Capacities: 150 kg (300 lb)
Size: 70 mm x 70 mm x 18 mm high
Accuracy Class: 0.1% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
NTEP Load Cells/Waterproof Load Cells
When you use a load cell to weigh something that will be sold on the basis of weight for e.g. you package a 1 lb of coffee or a 16 oz. bag of nuts for sale, then one is supposed to use a scale (which uses a load cell) that is NTEP certified. NTEP stands for National Type Evaluation Program and is administed under the authority of the US Dept. of Commerce. We offer a few NTEP rated load cells that we buy from third party load cell manufacturers who have this certification. OIML is a similar certification to NTEP used in Europe and other International jurisdictions. While the accuracy and ratings will be very close to NTEP, they are not recognized in lieu of NTEP in the US. FM stands for Factory Mutual rating for Intrinsically Safe to use load cells.
These NTEP load cells are some of the load cells with the highest rated accuracies with around +/- 0.02% of full scale. They are also the best temperature compensated load cells that generally are compensated from -10C to 40C. For conditions where the temperatures might vary or have thermal gradients, we recommend you use these load cells with high stability and reliability.
RRP1
Waterproof (IP66) NTEP & FM Rated Load Cell
Capacities: 3 kg (6.6 lb) to 100 kg (220 lb)
Size: 150 mm x 40 mm x 25 mm
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RRP2
Waterproof (IP67) NTEP & FM Rated Load Cell
Capacities: 50 kg (110 lb) to 660 kg (1250 lb)
Size: 188 mm x 63 mm x 62 mm
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RRS1
Waterproof (IP67) NTEP & FM Rated Load Cell
Capacities: 25 lb to 20K lb
Size: From 2.5x2x0.75 to 7x5x2.25 inch
Accuracy Class: 0.02% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RRS3
Waterproof (IP69), OIML & FM Rated Load Cell
Capacities: 225 lb or 1125 lb
Size: 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.2 inch
Accuracy Class: 0.05% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
RRS4
Waterproof (IP69), OIML & FM Rated Load Cell
Capacities: 2250 lb, 4500 lb or 11250 lb
Size: Under 5.6 x 5.4 x 1.7 inch
Accuracy Class: 0.05% of Full Scale
Compensated Temp Range: -10C to 40C
Why Buy From Us?
30 day money-back guarantee
Generous application support
NIST Traceable Calibration
Ready to use out-of-the-box
Royalty Free Software APIs
Patent protected technology
End to End Solutions
Scales
Ready-to-use scales with NIST traceable calibration certificates in various capacities & sizes. Pallet scales, waterproof scales & NTEP rated scales also available.
Brake Testing
Pedal Force Sensors to help you characterize & test brakes, accelerators and other pedals used to apply a force to control a vehicle or other device.
IV Bag Monitoring
Monitor IV bags remotely and get alerts before the fluid runs out. Save lives, save time and reduce cost with our simple to use USB or Wireless IV Bag monitors.
Tank Weighing
Weigh tanks for process control, inventory tracking and for dispensing fluids. Refill tanks or fill smaller tanks or containers by weight with our easy to use control system.
Weigh Modules
Weigh Modules allow you to insert sensors underneath existing machinery or containers to quickly weigh contents. No need for special machining or mounting. Available with displays, USB or wireless interfaces.
Suspension Testing
One of a kind Force & Displacement sensors allow you to characterize and test suspensions to measure how much the suspension compresses with applied loads. DIsplay, log and plota Force vs. Displacement results.
Harness Testing
Whether you are testing parachute harnesses or chains that pick up heavy loads using cranes or are ropes that are used to save life during rescue missions, our harness testing solutions make it easy for you.
Thrust Force
Characterize rocket thrust force, aircraft lift and drag, or a drone's ability to lift weight using our easy to use thrust force measurement solution with 1 KHz data update rates and LoadVUE Pro or SensorVUE software.
Powering the World's Most Advanced Applications
FAQ
The company was founded in 2003 with the idea of developing easy to use digital PC friendly force measurement solutions. In 2010, Loadstar Sensors was purchased by and operates as a wholly owned unit ofYPoint Capital, Inc. We have over 10,000 customers in 85+ countries and have over 20 issued patents. We are located in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, CA.
A capacitive load cell works on the principle of change of capacitance in response to applied forces. When a force is applied, it changes the gap between two capacitive plates. This change is transduced into a change in frequency of the output signal. Instead of minute changes in voltage, one can get change in frequency and conver this into a measure of force.
A resisitive load cell is built using strain gauges arranged in a wheatstone bridge network. A strain gauge is basically a resistive element that is piezo resistive i.e. it changes resistance in response to changes in strain (change in length over original length). Applied forces lead to induced stresses that lead to displacement and strain. The change in strain leads to a change in resistance. So with an applied inout voltage one can measure tiny changes in voltage and use this to infer the applied force.
We offer signal conditioners that allow you to connect to a computer (PC. Mac or Linux) via USB or wirelessly via XBee, WiFi or BLE protocols. We also offer sensor interfaces with UART output to connect to a microcontroller to develop an embedded application. Our analog signal conditioner makes it easy to get analog 0-5 V voltage output or 4-20 mA current output. Or simply connect to our touch screen LCD display to show values on a simple physical display.
We offer free LoadVUE Lite software to display force/weight on a Windows 8/10 PC/Tablet. The LoadVUE Pro software allows you to display, log & plot force/weight data, recalibrate sensors and get remote support. SensorVUE extends support to an unlimited number of sensors as well as all types of sensors we offer. ControlVUE software extends the functionality offered by SensorVUE and adds the ability to control external devices based on sensor values through a USB Relay with one to eight channel. Our sensors and interfaces allow you to write your own code as well! We also offer customization and custom softrware development services to meet your specific needs!
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 guarantee for you purchase. Please refer to our Returns and Refunds Policy and contact us if you face any issues with your product(s).
Any calibration service fees, shipping and payment fees cannot be refunded.
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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