History of Load Cell

Before the strain gage load cell has invented, one of the method called mechanical lever scales were used for industrial weight measuring applications. The working principle of mechanical scale is measure the weight of all pills to rail road cars. It is also provide the accurate results and more reliable when they are maintained well. The operating procedure of this mechanical scale is involve both or either force balancing or reduces the weight with the help of mechanical levers.

In early days, pre-strain gage load cell are combined with hydraulic and pneumatic load cells. In the period of 1843, physicist Sir Charles Wheatstone invented a bridge path that may perhaps to determine electrical signal. This Wheatstone bridge circuit is very perfect to determine the conflict change that happen in strain gages. And also the strain gage load cell with bonded resistance wire invented in 1940s. From the period, this strain gage load cells are developed as mechanical scale mechanism and stand-alone load cell.

The operating Principle of Load Cell

Basically the load cell manufacturers are designed the load cell based on the type of output signal produce. Other one is designed based on the weight applied on the application with the load cell bending shear beam load cell, compression load cell, elevator overload sensor,  S type load cell etc.

Choosing the Right load cell

Choosing the right load cell is more important for your application. Each weight measuring application needs specific type of load cell. Here the selection methods to choose the load cell for your weight measuring application.

Based on the Measurement duration: 

Two type of duration one is short-term duration with tare and other one is longer measuring duration without Tare.

Based on the Output: Digital USB, wireless, RS232/RS485, Analog mV/V, 0 to 5V and 4 to 20 mA.

Based on the speed: Faster than 100Hz,

Based on the load Applied: Force or, compression or including both

Cost of Operation:  depends of the quantity small or bulk

Accuracy: Choose your load cell based on the accuracy of the load cell

Mounting: High speed sensing on both the sides

Load Cell Types
What is Load Cell
Load Cell Application
Load Cell for industrial weight measuring