Phidgets FRC4114_0 Micro Load Cell (0-780g) - CZL611CD
A load cell is a force sensing module - a carefully designed metal structure, with small elements called strain gauges mounted in precise locations on the structure. Load cells are designed to measure a specific force, and ignore other forces being applied. The electrical signal output by the load cell is very small and requires specialized amplification. Fortunately, Phidget Bridge Interfaces will perform all the amplification and measurement of the electrical output.
Load cells are designed to measure force in one direction. They will often measure force in other directions, but the sensor sensitivity will be different, since parts of the load cell operating under compression are now in tension, and vice versa.
This Single Point Load Cell is used in small jewelry scales and kitchen scales. It’s mounted by bolting down the end of the load cell where the wires are attached, and applying force on the other end in the direction of the arrow. Where the force is applied is not critical, as this load cell measures a shearing effect on the beam, not the bending of the beam. If you mount a small platform on the load cell, as would be done in a small scale, this load cell provides accurate readings regardless of the position of the load on the platform.
Connection
Load cells require a power source and produce a very small voltage differential when under strain. In order to read this signal, an amplifier or a board with a high-precision analog-to-digital converter is required.
Warning
Load cells can typically withstand weights up to 150% of their specified measurement range without damage, but this cell has thin joints where the two halves of the cell are attached, and it is vulnerable to bending or breaking if loaded above 780g. Take care to avoid overloading this load cell. Make sure to calibrate your load cell before using it. You should also have a look at the User Guide for the bridge interface board that you're using to read the load cells.
Product Specifications
Sensor Properties
- Controlled By: Bridge Input
- Sensor Type: Shear Load Cell
- Weight Capacity Max: 780 g
- Maximum Overload: 936 g
- Creep: 7.8 g/hr
- Zero Balance: ± 78 g
- Cell Repeatability Error Max: ± 390 mg
- Cell Non-Linearity Max: 390 mg
- Cell Hysteresis Max: 390 mg
- Temperature Effect on Span: 39 mg/°C
- Temperature Effect on Zero: 39 mg/°C
Electrical Properties
- Rated Output: 1 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: 200 mm
- Material: Aluminium Alloy
- Screw Thread Size: M4
