A load cell sensor converts mechanical force (weight) into an electrical signal. They’re used to provide accurate readings in a wide range of applications including warehouse scales, industrial machines and equipment testing. Learn more about this crucial component of weighing systems and other industry applications in the article below.
Load cells (also called force transducers or strain gauge sensors) are designed to measure the internal deformation of an object under a specified amount of mechanical stress. They consist of a metallic member with strain gages tightly attached to predetermined points on the body, and they generate an output voltage based on that change in deformation. The resistance of the strain gages is changed by the mechanical strain - and that change in resistance is converted into an electrical signal by signal conditioning electronics, providing a weight or force reading.
Piezoelectric sensors use the piezoelectric effect of quartz crystal and are often used as a replacement for traditional load cells in hazardous environments due to their ability to operate hermetically. They are also relatively low-cost and offer good performance over a broad range of forces, although they can lose accuracy over long periods of time.
Capacitive load cells use an electric charge to sense weight, but they can only be used in non-flammable environments, so they are less common than other types of load cells. They’re highly sensitive and can be calibrated easily, but they do have some drawbacks – they may require a power supply, and they can produce high levels of interference from other sources such as vibration.