page_title: Load cell
section_title: Common types of load cells
hierarchical_section_title: Load cell / Strain gauge load cell / Common types of load cells
caption_attribution_description: English: SPWE pancake load cell; tank and vessel weighing; tension/compression
context_page_description: A load cell is a force transducer. It converts a force such as tension, compression, pressure, or torque into an electrical signal that can be measured and standardized. As the force applied to the load cell increases, the electrical signal changes proportionally. The most common types of load cell used are hydraulic, pneumatic, and strain gauge.
context_section_description: There are several types of strain gauge load cells:
  Bending beam:  uses strain gauges to monitor the stress in the sensing element when the spring element is subjected to a bending force.
  Load Button: low-profile load cells often used where the load is concentrated in one single point (button).
  Pancake: low-profile load cells often used in vessel weighing; can be tension or compression.
  Single point shear beam load cell: spring element fixed at one end and loaded on the other.
  Double-ended shear beam: spring element fixed at both ends and loaded in the center.
  Canister load cell: Cylindrical shaped spring element; can be used in both tension and compression.
  S-type load cell:  S-shaped spring element; can be used in both compression and tension. 
  Miniature load cell:  similar to the load cell, but in smaller geometry:
  Wire rope clamps: an assembly attached to a wire rope and measures its tension; commonly used in crane and hoist applications.
  Tension link load cell: often used in crane and hoist weighing systems. Measures tension force only.
  Load pin: replaces pulleys and shivs, typically on cranes.
caption: Pancake load cell (tension and compression type)
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