If you are in the market for load cells, it is important to know what your needs are and which type will work best for your company. Each type of load cells have their own applications to make sure that your company has the most accurate scale possible.
S-Beam Load Cells
S-beam load cells’ s shape give them their name. They use tension pull to provide a weighing. Some common s-beams are hoppers, truck scales, tank level, and hanging. These load cells can be suitable for general purposes and have many different capacities up to and including 20,000 pounds.
Canister Load Cells
Best suited for high capacity weighing applications are canister load cells. Most often, they are used for vehicle, hopper, and tank weighing purposes. Canister load cells are suitable for single and multi-weighing and come in different capacities to suit any need. These load cells are hermetically sealed so that they even work in hazardous environments.
Single Point Load Cells
These load cells are best for light capacity weighing with bench scales. You can get these load cells in capacities starting at 1 kg and increasing up to 1,000 kg. Single point are not high capacity load cells so they are normally aluminum-made. You can choose a scale with a stainless steel layer to make it more durable.
Shear Beam Load Cells
Also called single-ended beams, shear beam load cells, are heavy duty, high capacity cells made of stainless steel and tool steel. You can get them in any capacity within the 1,000 pounds to 20,000 pounds range. These cells can be hermetically sealed and used with washdown applications.
Double Ended Beam Load Cells
Double ended beam load cells apply the load towards the center of the cell while each end is secured. These cells are good for hopper, tank, and vehicle applications. Double ended beam load cells usually are constructed of stainless or tool steel for durability.
In addition to choosing the proper load cells, you may also need cable, mounting hardware, tank mounts, junction boxes, or summing cards to complete your load cells setup. If you are unsure of all of the accessories that you need, a retailer will be able to help make sure you have everything.
When you need load cells for your business, accuracy is the most important factor. While all of these load scales will produce accurate data, some are more suitable for certain purposes than others. Consider the capacity that you may need, the materials that you will weigh, and the environment that the load cells will be in so that you choose the best one for your company.
