What is a load cell? The load cell is a kind of sensor, which means a load cell can convert force into a measurable electrical signal. There are various load cell sensors types, such as hydraulic load cells and pneumatic load cells, one of the most common is the resistance strain type load cell, which is the main product of our TianGuang company.
Strain gauge load cells have the characteristics of wide adaptability, easy installation, and high precision. Except for some specific environments, strain gauge load cells are the first choice in the weighing industry. TianGuang load cells' capacity ranges from 5kg to 1000 Tons and accuracies from 0.02% to 0.5% full scale (Except for some customized products).
The most common load cell is the resistance strain type, which is our company's product (TG sensor). The load cell changes its resistance when a load/force is applied to it. This change in resistance leads to a change in output voltage when an input voltage(usually 10V DC) is applied. Here is a load cell sensor diagram for your reference.
When we make sensors, we usually use 4 strain gauges (or even more for better accuracy) to form a Wheatstone bridge. When the sensor is not under force, the output is basically 0. When a load is applied to the sensor, the resistance of the strain gauge will change, and the change in resistance will cause a change in the output voltage. This change is relatively small, usually 0. -20mV, sometimes we will amplify it into a signal that is easier to measure, such as 0-5V or 0-10V.