July 16, 2017 Custom torque sensors, Load pins, Measurements services

Three Main Types of Underwater Load Cells

Torque measurements on rotating equipment

Load cells are used to receive signals from an amount of force. These cells are preferred for their accurate measurements and relatively low cost. Submersible load cells are types of measurement tools with nearly unmatched accuracy. Research shows that load cells that are properly maintained regularly display accuracies within 0.03 to one percent. In this post, you will learn more about the similarities and differences between three types of submersible load cells.

  • Pancake Load Cell: This cell has a capacity of 100 to 500,000 lbs. Pancake load cells have a 150 percent overload capacity. The output of pancake load cells ranges from 0 to 10 VDC. Submersible load cells are designed to perform accurately in harsh environments. Many businesses prefer the pancake load cell for its ability to be mounted in a wide variety of ways.

  • S Beam Load Cell: An S beam load cell has the lightest weight capacity of any cell in this article. The capacity range of an S beam load cell is 50 to 3,000 lbs. The S beam uses three types of materials which are aluminum, beryllium copper, and titanium. The S beam is notable because the middle of the beam is in an S formation.

  • Tension Link Load Cell: One similarity each cell in this article has is their wide temperature range. Load cells can operate at temperatures ranging from-452 degree Fahrenheit to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Tension link load cells are able to withstand FS capacity ranging from 3,000 to 120,000 lbs.

    • In summary, load cells are popular measurement tools. The accuracy and lower cost of load cells have helped them to remain very popular for businesses. Many load cells use what is known as strain gauge technology which has been proven for over 40 years. S beam load cells have the lowest weight capacity range which is from 50 to 3,000 lbs. The largest capacity for a submersible load cell will be the pancake load cell. It’s best to find a supplier who will provide the option for custom connectors and cables. Underwater force measurements are made by submersible load cells. Understanding the three types of submersible load cells helps you narrow down the type of device you need.

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