Single Point Load Cell Buyer’s Guide

Finding the right

single point load cell

Important tips and background information S05626 01 G00 00 HBM: public

HBM Test and Measurement ■ Tel. + 49 6151 803-0 ■ info@hbm.com ■ www.hbm.com

Analog single point load cells: What makes them different?
What makes single point load cells different from other types of load cells, such as bending beam load cells, for
example, is their design, in particular, and their special “off-center load compensation”. They are designed so that
a single load cell can be mounted under a platform, which is why they are called single point load cells. They make
the construction of weighing systems really simple, with no need for additional fittings or further load cells. If you
were to fit a single normal bending beam load cell under a platform in exactly this way, your measurement results
would be false whenever the weight fell on the corner of the platform rather than in the middle. This is not the case
with single point load cells. Thanks to their off-center load compensation, they are designed to deliver accurate
results regardless of where the load is applied to the platform.

Single point load cells are used every day, everywhere – in shop-counter scales or postal scales, for example.
They are also common in industry, such as in food filling plants and in automated weighing devices such as
checkweighers. Since only one load cell is needed per platform, single point load cells are the best and cheapest
choice for applications like these.

Typical applications for single point load cells:

■■ Shop-counter scales
■■ Industrial
scales
■■ Counting scales
■■ Package and letter scales
■■ Person scales (medical)
■■ Baby scales
■■ Baggage scales (e.g. under the conveyor belt at the airport check-in)

And many more

These questions will help you choose the right load cell:
1. How much weight are you going to be weighing (maximum capacity)?
2. What platform size do you need?
3. Is weighing dynamic or static?
4. What is the weighing environment like?
5. What accuracy is required, and is the application subject to weights and measures legislation?
6. What special properties should the load cell have?

How much weight are you going to be weighing

(maximum capacity)?
The maximum capacity is one of the most important characteristic values of a load cell. The maximum capacity
range indicates what load the load cell is designed for. In other words, what can it withstand without suffering
damage? With single point load cells from HBM, the maximum capacity can range from just a few grams to a ton.
To prevent damage, the load cell’s maximum capacity should be slightly higher than the weight of the product to
be weighed. Therefore, the most important question is: How heavy are the products you are going to weigh?

Another important selection criterion is overload protection. This prevents the load cell from damage if it is
subjected to load beyond its limit load. This may happen, for example, if people step on the weighing instrument
by mistake (when cleaning a system, for instance), or in the event of a malfunction. In any case, it makes sense to
have overload protection. Different types of load cells are designed to be equipped with an overload stop, or even
feature integrated overload protection straight from the factory.

What platform size do you need?

The possible platform size for weighing instruments with singe point load cells depends on the maximum capac-
ity. The platform size always goes hand in hand with the maximum capacity. However, certain load cells with a
relatively low maximum capacity can be equipped with large platforms, to enable the weighing of voluminous
products as well.

The maximum platform size for single point load cells is 800x800 mm. For weighing applications that need more
space, you should select a scale construction with several load cells. HBM offers a wide product range for this
scenario, too.

Is weighing dynamic or static?

In addition to the other specifications, when choosing the right single point load cell it is also essential to consider
whether weighing will be dynamic or static. The question is this: Is only a very short time span available for a
weighing process – such as filling liquids in bottles? Or will the weight remain on the scale for a longer period –
such as weighing animal feed in a stall? Because load cells that are suitable for static weighing offer extremely
accurate values, but are mostly not very speedy.
Therefore, it’s essential to use optimized load cells for dynamic weighing. These are designed to deliver precise
results even at high speeds. They also function reliably during static weighing, which could be helpful if your
application uses both. Some models among HBM’s single point load cells have been optimized for dynamic
weighing. Their special feature is an especially high natural frequency. You can find all the important details in
the data sheet.

What is the weighing environment like?

Maximum capacity, platform size and dynamic properties are not all you need to consider when choosing the right
single point load cell. The environment in which weighing will take place is also significant. In “normal” conditions
such as in a supermarket, warehouse or post office, the most inexpensive models, which are made of aluminum,
will manage very well. If the environment is more challenging, the requirements are more stringent. It is therefore
important to ask what the ambient conditions will be like during measurement.
Typical influencing factors are:

Stainless steel load cells are much more resistant to high humidity than their aluminum counterparts. The same
applies to frequent cleaning using a lot of water or aggressive chemicals, as is common in food production.
Aluminum load cells are not suitable for these applications. Stainless steel load cells, which are also available
with hermetically welded encapsulation, are highly capable of withstanding these effects. Food production poses
especially stringent hygiene requirements. For this, HBM offers exceptionally easy-to-clean, hermetically encapsu-
lated single point load cells, specially shaped to ensure that water and dirt simply pearl and drip off.
Dust can be a problem, too. If too much of it is deposited on the load cell, measurement results can be adversely
affected. This is countered by the load cell’s rounded shape. Furthermore, if dust settles in the gaps of the load
cell, creating a force shunt, this can negatively affect the overload protection and falsify the measurement results.
Single point load cells with an integrated, encapsulated overload stop are therefore a good choice for very dusty
environments. In electrical terms, all load cells are “immune” to dust. This is demonstrated by their IP rating,
which is at least IP67 in HBM single point load cells.

In areas with potentially explosive atmospheres, where dust, gas or similar may ignite, it is vital that the load cells
satisfy certain conditions, such as not becoming excessively hot – even just in isolated spots – in the event of
a malfunction. Single point load cells that are suitable for areas with potentially explosive atmospheres have an
ATEX certificate.

Comparison of materials:

Aluminum Stainless steel

Very low cost Easier to clean

Suitable for low to moderate humidity Copes with the harshest ambient conditions

Maximum measurement stability thanks to

Excellent metrological properties
hermetic encapsulation

What accuracy is required, and is the application subject

to weights and measures legislation?
The degree of accuracy required from the single point load cell depends on whether the application is subject
to weights and measures legislation. In order to be used in these applications, the load cells must satisfy
more exacting requirements as regards various metrological parameters and stability criteria. With just a few
exceptions, all HBM load cells are suitable for applications subject to weights and measures legislation. This
suitability is confirmed by OIML R60 test certificates from independent test institutes.
Accuracy classes
The demands on the accuracy of a load cell vary from one task to another. For weighing building materi-
als such as cement or gravel, for example, accuracy to the last gram is rarely important. It’s another
story with shop-counter scales and high-precision filling and dosing systems, for instance, where quan-
tities have to be correct down to a fraction of a gram.

The international accuracy classes established by the “Organisation Internationale de Métrologie

Légale“ (OIML) in its recommendation for load cells, “OIML R60”, provide valuable assistance for select-
ing the right load cell for a particular application. Where accuracy classes are concerned, HBM predomi-
nantly offers load cells in classes C3, C3MR and C6. This means that the load cells meet precisely
specified requirements in terms of various factors that are critical to the quality of measurement results,
such as linearity and thermal behavior.

Multi-range and multi-interval

With the different types of scales, a distinction is made between single-range, multi-range and multi-
interval weighing machines. The requirements for these scales also differ accordingly. Load cells are
available for various scale intervals: for single-range weighing machines in accuracy classes C3, C4, and
C6; for multi-range weighing machines in accuracy classes C3MR and C6MR, and for multi-interval weigh-
ing machines in class C3MI8. The compatibility sheet of modules in non-automatic weighing instruments
(NAWI) offers a precise means of testing the suitability of load cells in various scales. You can download
this document from the website of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mess- und Eichwesen (AGME, Working party
on measurement and calibration) in Fachinformationen; Formblätter (Specialist information; Forms):
www.agme.de

What special properties should the load cell have?

When searching for the right single point load cell for your application, you need to bear the mounting
conditions in mind. Standard dimensions such as the “SP4 footprint” can be important. What’s more, even
the connection cable matters as a selection criterion. HBM offers most of its single point load cells with
integrated cables. Thanks to our special manufacturing process, various cable lengths are available.

HBM has carried out pioneering work in the field of single point load cells with integrated push-in connec-
tors: load cells with plugs can now also be used in applications subject to weights and measures legisla-
tion. The connection systems developed by HBM can be sealed to prevent unauthorized removal, have the
highest possible IP rating IP68/IP69K, and even satisfy hygienic design requirements. The advantages
of load cells with push-in connectors are the shorter installation times of weighing systems, and hugely
facilitated fault localization and troubleshooting.
The easy way: Find the right
With single point load cells from HBM,
load cell – with the you get more than just high-quality
components. HBM offers you an all-in-
HBM Product Finder for one technical weighing solution that can
be adapted to suit your requirements:
single point load cells from load cells to weighing electronics
and accessories right through to soft-
When you take the above-mentioned factors into consideration, ware and service. As your experienced,
expert partner for weighing technology,
you can easily narrow your search for the right load cell for your
we can offer you the service you require,
application. For digital support, go to the HBM Product Finder whenever and wherever you need it.
for single point load cells. Here, simply enter all the important Just get in touch!
data in the filter, and you will immediately be shown all suitable
load cell types.

If there are several options, it’s time to look at the details:

the product websites provide a concise overview of the load
cell properties, while the data sheets provide all the technical
information in detail.

S05626 01 G00 00 HBM: public

HBM Test and Measurement ■ Tel. + 49 6151 803-0 ■ info@hbm.com ■ www.hbm.com