Load Cell: ItsTypes, How It Works, Applications: A Comprehensive Overview

Load cells are equipment that is widely used to measure weight. They can measure objects as little as a needle to as large as large drilling machines. A Load cell can be found anywhere, even at your local grocery store, to weigh your purchases; however, they are located inside the devices. 

These load cells come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes. If you're wondering what a load cell is and how it works, here you’ll get your answers. 

So, let us explore more about them, including their types, functioning principles, benefits, and much more.

Load Cell 

A load cell is a transducer that, converts mechanical force into readable electrical units. In other words, a load cell is a type of electromechanical sensor that measures force or weight. It uses transference between an applied force, material deformation, and the flow of electricity in a simple yet effective design.

These are extremely adaptable devices that provide accurate and reliable performance. In addition, load cells have become indispensable in a wide range of industrial and commercial activities, from automobile manufacturing to weighing your stuff at the checkout. 

Main Types of Load Cell

Load Cell Manufacturers in India has made numerous types of load cells and still working on their advancements. Nevertheless, based on their output unit there are three main types of load cells, which include:

1. Pneumatic load cells 

This type of load cell uses the force-balance theory. Pneumatic load cells use more than one dampener chamber to provide greater precision than a hydraulic device. In some pneumatic load cell designs, the first chamber serves as a tare weight chamber. This type of load cell is widely used for calculating/measuring small weights where safety and hygiene are paramount. The main advantage of adopting this pneumatic load cell is that it is explosion-proof and temperature-insensitive. 

2. Hydraulic load cell

A hydraulic load cell is a force-balance device used to determine the weight of an object or body. A typical hydraulic load cell application includes a bin, tank, and hopper weighing. To acquire very accurate findings, the tank's weight should be calculated by placing one force sensor at each point of support and adding their outputs.

3. Strain gauge load cell

A strain gauge assembly is installed within the load cell housing to convert the load acting on them into electrical signals. The weight of the load cell is measured by the voltage variation induced by the deformation of the strain gauge. The strain gauge load cell is a popular load cell in many sectors. 

The Working Principle of a Load Cell

As previously stated, a load cell converts mechanical force into estimated electric power. The users can view those outputs and even save them. However, the internal workings or operation of a load cell may differ depending on its functionality and usage. 

However, the three most frequent and widely utilized load cells are pneumatic load cells, 

hydraulic load cells, and strain gauge load cells. Among these three types of load cells, strain gauge load is the most widely employed in many industrial applications. When under load, strain gauges within them send up voltage abnormalities. Digital reading by weight covers the degree of voltage change.

Primary Applications of Load Cell

There are an extensive variety of load cells available that benefit many industrial applications. These applications include:

• Processing plants

• Food & beverages

• Machine building and automation

• Automotive & Aerospace

• Pharmaceutical

• Biotechnology

• Textile and paper

• Chemical industries

To Sum Up

Want to purchase a load cell for your applications? You may visit our website Optima Weightech Pvt Ltd. Our load cells are used in a variety of sectors that require great precision. We are prominent Load Cell Suppliers in India that provide customers with the exact solution to their needs.