There are many different types of load cells in use today. Tension load cells are used in a wide variety of different weighing applications as a highly effective option to provide very accurate measurements for virtually any weight range and requirement.
Like all load cells, tension load cells are actually a transducer that creates or generates an electrical signal when a force is applied to the platform of the scale. This electrical signal is determined by the amount of force, which means the heavier the weight, the greater the electrical signal, which is then translated into an actual digital readout on a controlled.
All tension load cells are designed to measure a tensile force. Think of this a pulling load or a linear or vertical type of force. The most common applications for these types of load cells is for hanging scales or for weighing specific bins, vessels or containers. There are several different designs and options in these load cells based on the specific use of the scale or weighing system.
Other Names
While most people that are familiar with cells will understand the term tension load cells, there are other names these components may go by in different industries and in different areas of the world.
The most common alternate names include tensile load cells, Z or S beam load cells, load links or toggle load cells. These alternative names are more common in small laboratory types of equipment and use or other specialized applications.
Tension/Compression Load Cells
As tension load cells measure pulling forces and compression load cells measure pulling forces, it is only natural that a load cell to measure both would be created. The tension/compression load cell does just that, measuring both tensile forces as well as compressive forces on the cell.
These are particularly effective in all types of weighing systems, particularly when there is limited space. With new technology smaller and smaller sizes of all load cells are possible without any loss of accuracy and weighing capacity. With the dual weighing options of the tension/compression load cells, they are an essential consideration in many industrial applications.
The top brands and models of tension load cells offer a range of features that make them both user-friendly as well as practical even in very challenging work conditions. Evaluating the specific uses of the load cells will allow the selection of the right model, size and weight range for any industrial needs.
