Description:
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, the 1046 PhidgetBridge will perform all the amplification and measurement of the electrical output. This is a Wheatstone Bridge Sensor which measures compressive force up to 200 kg.

This Button Load Cell (3137) is used in applications that require a thin form factor. The bottom of the load cell is bolted, and force applied to the button on the top. By loading only the button, which is slightly rounded, the load cell is less sensitive to errors resulting from the load not pushing down exactly straight on the load cell.

Specifications:

• Sensor Type: Compression Load Cell
• Weight Capacity Max: 200 kg
• Maximum Overload: 240 kg
• Creep: 80 g/hr
• Zero Balance: ± 2 kg
• Cell Repeatability Error Max: ± 400 g
• Cell Non-Linearity Max: 400 g
• Temperature Effect on Span/Zero: 10 g/°C
• Rated Output: 1 mV/V
• Rated Output Error Max: 40 μV/V
• Output Impedance: 1 kΩ
• Supply Voltage Max: 5 V DC
• Compensated Temperature Min/Max: -10 °C / 40 °C
• Operating Temperature Min/Max: -20 °C / 55 °C
• Cable Length: 3 m
• Cable Gauge: 30 AWG
• Material: Aluminium Alloy & Alloy Steel
• Screw Thread Size: M3x0.5

Resources:
Load Cell Documentation
Mechanical Drawing
 

Connection of the 3137 with PhidgetBridge (1046):

The following table shows how to connect the Load Cell Wires to the bridge connectors.

Load cells and strain gauges produce a very tiny voltage differential and must be read by a high-resolution analog-to-digital converter. You can connect this load cell to a bridge interface as described in this table:

Function 3137 Bridge Interface +5V Red 5V + Green + - White - Ground Black G Case Ground Black or Yellow G