Load Cell Amplifiers

When a digital display is not required, a Load Cell Central signal conditioner is just the thing for your system.  Our load cell amplifiers work great in applications where the weighing system is controlled by a computer or PLC.  Once supplied with the appropriate power, these devices provide a regulated excitation voltage to the load cells, and convert a small mV signal into more common signals like 0-10VDC, +/-10VDC, 4-20mA, RS232, RS485, and USB.  Our wide range of load cell signal conditioners / load cell amplifiers offer a variety of accuracy and frequency response levels.

Our signal conditioners work great in batch weighing, process control, check weighing, and OEM systems.  With our 24/7 technical support, you can eliminate down time and ensure you meet deadlines and quotas.

 

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Output

Operating Power

No. of Cells in Parallel

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Load Cell Amplifier & Signal Conditioner

TLE

Easy setup DIN rail mount load cell amplifier.

OM-19

DIN rail mountable load cell amplifier.

DSC

Digital load cell to digital output interface. RS232 & RS235

LCD20

User friendly DIN rail mounted Load Cell amplifier. Setup and logging software included.

CSLL-2

Crane and hoist load limiting system.

ICA

Compact, economical, and user friendly load cell amplifier.

TLM8

Easy setup load cell transmitter.

OM-4

Self-contained, DC powered signal conditioner for bridge type instrumentation.

TLB4

Din-rail or panel mount load cell weight transmitter.

OM-5

Fixed gain bridge amplifier and supply.

OM-10

Self-contained, AC powered signal conditioner with 0-10VDC output.

OM-13

Self-contained, AC powered signal conditioner with a 4-20mA output.

OM-25

DIN Rail mount, self-contained signal conditioner with 0-10VDC output.

IPE50

Multi channel load cell controller, amplifier, and indicator.

OM-26

DIN Rail mount, self-contained signal conditioner with 4-20mA output.

DSCUSB

USB load cell to computer digital interface.

Function of a Signal Conditioner

The function of a signal conditioner is to pick up the signal from the load cell and convert it into a higher level of an electrical signal. Signal conversion is often used by industrial applications, especially those that use a wide range of sensors to perform measurements. The output signals need to be converted to be usable for the instruments they are connected to. Through the use of a signal conditioner, any sensor signal can be converted to any standard process signal.

Linearization

When the signal produced by a load cell does not have a straight-line relationship with the physical measurement, certain signal conditioners can perform linearization. The nonlinear output is interpreted by the signal conditioner and translated to the data acquisition device as a linear signal.

Amplification

Amplification is the process of increasing the signal for processing or digitization. An ADC has a particular dynamic range it is necessary to adjust the amplitude of the received signal to efficiently utilize the available dynamic range of the ADC. There are two ways that signal amplification can be performed; by increasing the resolution of the input signal, or by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio.

Attenuation

Attenuation, the opposite of amplification, is necessary when voltages to be digitized are beyond the ADC range. This form of signal conditioning decreases the input signal amplitude so that the conditioned signal is within the ADC range. Attenuation is typically necessary when measuring voltages that are more than 10 V.

Excitation

Excitation is required for strain gauge load cells which require external voltage or current excitation. Measurements are usually made with a current source that converts the variation in resistance to a measurable voltage. Strain gages, which are very-low-resistance devices, typically are used in a Wheatstone bridge configuration with a voltage excitation source.

Filtering

Another important function of a signal conditioner is filtering, and this is where the signal frequency spectrum is filtered to reject any noise within a certain frequency range. A digital filter is a mathematical filter used to manipulate a signal, such as blocking or passing a particular frequency range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use a signal conditioner?

The function of a signal conditioner is to convert the signal from a load cell into a more suitable electrical signal. In order to work in a system, the output signal from the load cells needs to be converted in order to be usable by the instruments they are connected to. Use of a signal conditioner enables load cell communication with a wider range of displays, PLCs, and PCs.

How do I choose the right signal conditioner?

Choosing a signal conditioner depends on the load cell’s output signal, the type and strength of signal needed by the device receiving the signal, and the specific needs of the application.

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