Load Cell Guide
What is a load cell? Learn what a load cell is, how they work, and how you can use them with Phidgets.
Products for USB Sensing and Control
Load cells are used to measure weight or forces. They require a load cell interface to function.
This set of matched-output platform cells have a maximum weight of 30 kilograms. This means your platform can safely measure 30kg with the load placed anywhere on the surface of the platform.
Use the following table to connect this load cell to your load cell interface:
|
 |
 |
| Product | Board Properties | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part Number | Price | Controlled By | Number of Bridge Inputs | Data Rate Max |
 PhidgetBridge 4-Input
|
$95.00 | USB (Mini-USB) | 4 | 1.2 kHz |
 Wheatstone Bridge Phidget
|
$30.00 | VINT | 2 | 50 Hz |
 PhidgetBridge 4-Input
|
$90.00 | USB (Mini-USB) | 4 | 125 Hz |
These load cells are matched in their outputs, so you can simply wire all four in parallel to a single terminal on a Phidget load cell interface. This way, you can get an accurate measurement even if the object is not centered on the platform.
You can mount one side of the load cell using four regular bolts, and then use a rubber pad or vibration mount to rest the weighing platform on top. If you search online for "M5 Vibration Damper", you should find many different styles to choose from. If you want to find something locally, many hardware stores carry similar rubber dampers, intended for use in cabinet doors.
| Sensor Properties | |
|---|---|
| Controlled By | Bridge Input |
| Sensor Type | Platform (Matched Set) |
| Load Cell Accuracy Class | * C1 |
| Weight Capacity Max | 30 kg |
| Maximum Overload | 36 kg |
| Creep | 450 g/hr |
| Zero Balance | ± 2 kg |
| Cell Repeatability Error Max | ± 15 g |
| Cell Non-Linearity Max | 15 g |
| Cell Hysteresis Max | 15 g |
| Temperature Effect on Zero | ± 60 g/°C |
| Temperature Effect on Span | ± 1.5 g/°C |
| Electrical Properties | |
| Rated Output | 1.5 mV/V |
| Rated Output Error Max | ± 100 μV/V |
| Output Impedance | 1 kΩ |
| Supply Voltage Max | 10 V DC |
| Physical Properties | |
| Operating Temperature Min | -10 °C |
| Operating Temperature Max | 40 °C |
| Cable Length | 400 mm |
| Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Customs Information | |
| Canadian HS Export Code | 8423.90.00 |
| American HTS Import Code | 8423.90.10.00 |
| Country of Origin | CN (China) |
* You can read more about what the Accuracy Class means in our Load Cell Guide.
Units in mm
| Product | Sensor Properties | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part Number | Price | Sensor Type | Weight Capacity Max | Creep | Zero Balance | Cell Repeatability Error Max | Cell Non-Linearity Max | Cell Hysteresis Max | Load Cell Accuracy Class |
 Single Point Load Cell- 100g
|
$7.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 100 g | 100 mg/hr | — | ± 50 mg | 50 mg | 50 mg | Consumer Grade |
 Single Point Load Cell - 300g (C3)
|
$25.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 300 g | 180 mg/hr | ± 15 g | ± 45 mg | 60 mg | 45 mg | * C3 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 780g
|
$6.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 780 g | 1.6 g/hr | ± 11.7 g | ± 390 mg | 390 mg | 390 mg | Consumer Grade |
 Single Point Load Cell - 780g
|
$7.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 780 g | 7.8 g/hr | ± 78 g | ± 390 mg | 390 mg | 390 mg | Consumer Grade |
 Single Point Load Cell - 3kg (C2)
|
$20.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 3 kg | 1.8 g/hr | ± 45 g | ± 900 mg | 900 mg | 900 mg | * C2 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 3kg (C4)
|
$35.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 3 kg | 1.2 g/hr | ± 150 g | ± 300 mg | 450 mg | 300 mg | * C4 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 5kg
|
$7.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 5 kg | 5 g/hr | ± 75 g | ± 2.5 g | 2.5 g | 2.5 g | Consumer Grade |
 Single Point Load Cell - 5kg
|
$7.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 5 kg | 50 g/hr | ± 500 g | ± 2.5 g | 2.5 g | 2.5 g | Consumer Grade |
 Single Point Load Cell - 10kg (C2)
|
$20.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 10 kg | 6 g/hr | ± 150 g | ± 3 g | 3 g | 3 g | * C2 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 10kg (C3)
|
$25.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 10 kg | 4 g/hr | ± 200 g | ± 2 g | 2 g | 2 g | * C3 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 10kg (C4)
|
$35.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 10 kg | 4 g/hr | ± 500 g | ± 1 g | 1.5 g | 1 g | * C4 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 20kg
|
$7.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 20 kg | 20 g/hr | ± 300 g | ± 10 g | 10 g | 10 g | Consumer Grade |
 Single Point Load Cell - 25kg
|
$7.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 25 kg | 250 g/hr | ± 2.5 kg | ± 12.5 g | 12.5 g | 12.5 g | Consumer Grade |
 Single Point Load Cell - 30kg (C2)
|
$20.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 30 kg | 18 g/hr | ± 450 g | ± 9 g | 9 g | 9 g | * C2 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 30kg (C4)
|
$35.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 30 kg | 12 g/hr | ± 1.5 kg | ± 3 g | 4.5 g | 3 g | * C4 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 50kg
|
$7.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 50 kg | 50 g/hr | ± 750 g | ± 25 g | 25 g | 25 g | Consumer Grade |
 Single Point Load Cell - 100kg (C2)
|
$20.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 100 kg | 60 g/hr | ± 1.5 kg | ± 30 g | 30 g | 30 g | * C2 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 100kg (C4)
|
$25.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 100 kg | 40 g/hr | ± 5 kg | ± 10 g | 15 g | 10 g | * C4 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 200kg (C3)
|
$35.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 200 kg | 80 g/hr | ± 2 kg | ± 40 g | 40 g | 40 g | * C3 |
 Single Point Load Cell - 500kg (C3)
|
$35.00 | Single Point Load Cell | 500 kg | 200 g/hr | ± 5 kg | ± 100 g | 100 g | 100 g | * C3 |
 Platform Load Cells - 30kg (Matched set of 4)
|
$65.00 | Platform (Matched Set) | 30 kg | 450 g/hr | ± 2 kg | ± 15 g | 15 g | 15 g | * C1 |
 Platform Load Cells - 75kg (Matched set of 4)
|
$65.00 | Platform (Matched Set) | 75 kg | 1.1 kg/hr | ± 5 kg | ± 37.5 g | 37.5 g | 37.5 g | * C1 |
 Platform Load Cells - 150kg (Matched set of 4)
|
$65.00 | Platform (Matched Set) | 150 kg | 2.3 kg/hr | ± 7.5 kg | ± 75 g | 75 g | 75 g | * C1 |
 S-Type Load Cell - 2kg (C2)
|
$40.00 | S-Type Load Cell | 2 kg | 1.2 g/hr | ± 40 g | ± 400 mg | 600 mg | 400 mg | * C2 |
 S-Type Load Cell - 10kg (C2)
|
$40.00 | S-Type Load Cell | 10 kg | 6 g/hr | ± 200 g | ± 2 g | 3 g | 2 g | * C2 |
 S-Type Load Cell - 30kg (C2)
|
$40.00 | S-Type Load Cell | 30 kg | 18 g/hr | ± 600 g | ± 6 g | 9 g | 6 g | * C2 |
 Steel S-Type Load Cell - 50kg (C3)
|
$40.00 | S-Type Load Cell | 50 kg | 50 g/hr | ± 750 g | ± 25 g | 25 g | 25 g | * C3 |
 S-Type Load Cell - 100kg (C2)
|
$45.00 | Compression/Tension Load Cell | 100 kg | — | — | — | — | — | ** C2 |
 Steel S-Type Load Cell - 100kg (C3)
|
$50.00 | S-Type Load Cell | 100 kg | 100 g/hr | ± 1.5 kg | ± 50 g | 50 g | 50 g | * C3 |
 Steel S-Type Load Cell - 200kg (C3)
|
$50.00 | S-Type Load Cell | 200 kg | 200 g/hr | ± 3 kg | ± 100 g | 100 g | 100 g | * C3 |
 S-Type Load Cell - 500kg (C2)
|
$50.00 | Compression/Tension Load Cell | 500 kg | — | — | — | — | — | ** C2 |
 Steel S-Type Load Cell - 500kg (C3)
|
$50.00 | S-Type Load Cell | 500 kg | 500 g/hr | ± 7.5 kg | ± 250 g | 250 g | 250 g | * C3 |
 Steel S-Type Load Cell - 1000kg (C3)
|
$60.00 | S-Type Load Cell | 1 Mg | 1 kg/hr | ± 15 kg | ± 500 g | 500 g | 500 g | * C3 |
 Shear Beam Load Cell - 500kg (C3)
|
$75.00 | Shear Beam Load Cell | 500 kg | 200 g/hr | ± 5 kg | — | — | — | * C3 |
 Button Load Cell - 200kg (C2)
|
$45.00 | Compression Load Cell | 200 kg | * 40 g/hr | * ± 2 kg | * ± 200 g | * 400 g | — | ** C2 |
 Button Load Cell - 50kg (C2)
|
$45.00 | Compression Load Cell | 50 kg | * 20 g/hr | * ± 500 g | * ± 100 g | * 100 g | — | ** C2 |
 Button Load Cell - 1000kg (C2)
|
$50.00 | Compression Load Cell | 1 Mg | — | — | — | — | — | ** C2 |
