Transducer Techniques is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing high quality load cells, torque sensors, and related instrumentation for load, force, and torque measurement applications. Our economical plug and play smart load cell systems are innovative and industry leading. Our highly trained and experienced engineers are available to guide you through the process of selecting the appropriate load cell for your application. Our standard product line can be customized or a custom load cell can be manufactured if your application should require it. Transducer Techniques prices are the most competitive in the industry because we sell direct. Read more...

Load Cell Defined

A load cell is a transducer that converts a mechanical force or load into an electrical output signal. Metal foil strain gauges are bonded onto a flexure or structural member that deforms when weight or load is applied. In most cases, four metal foil strain gauges are used to obtain maximum sensitivity and temperature compensation. Two of the gauges are usually in tension, and two in compression, all four strain gauges are wired in a Wheatstone bridge configuration with compensation adjustments that correct for temperature errors.

Load Cell Choices

How to choose the correct Load Cell and compatible instrument for your load or force measurement application?


Our application sales engineers do this day in and out, with years of experience so please don’t hesitate to give us a call to help you though this process, that’s what we are here for. But it all comes down to your budget, your application, what stage your application is in, and how quickly you need your load cell system.


Let me start with a few easy applications and I will follow it by a layout of things you should consider in your load cell selection process.


If you need to perform a quick one time test to verify a load or force on a component or to prove an application, you might choose an inexpensive load beam load cell with a precision power supply and a voltmeter. We can help.


If you’re designing a Test machine you would choose a load cell based upon the overall system accuracy. Is the measurement static or dynamic? Do you require a digital display or just an amplifier signal conditioner module for a data acquisition system? We can help.


If your application is on a race car suspension system recording real time data while testing the car on an actual race track, like the Cornell racing team in one of our featured videos, you would need a load cell that could perform in a dynamic application and be able to handle extraneous loads like our MLP series load cell did. We double the normal load capacity of the load cell (which is a good rule of thumb in dynamic loading applications) and still exceeded the accuracy they required. We supplied our TM0-1 amplifier signal conditioner module that sent high speed data to their on board data acquisition system. We also designed a custom load pin load cell to measure the torque on the drive train. In some applications going with a custom load cell makes more sense.


National Geographic had an application on one of their super human strength episodes where they needed to measure the force of a strong man pulling a Semi tractor trailer (featured in our video gallery) that they were filming the next day. We choose the HSW-20k load cell with the smart plug and play option (also known as our Cal-Teds option) because of the accuracy and the ease of placing it in the application. We supplied our smart plug and play DPM-3 load cell meter with an analog output option that sent real time data to their data acquisition system that they were pushing in a cart alongside of the test. Having the Cal-Teds option on the load cell allowed the load cell and the smart plug and play DPM-3 meter to automatically perform a system calibration by just plugging them together (meter reads the EPPROM chip in the Cal-Teds option that populates an IEEE 1451.4 template 33 calibrating the system instantly). We generally don’t recommend pushing a cart alongside of a test, but this was already taking place for other equipment. This was a very inexpensive load cell system that allowed them to film the next day as planned.


Below is a list of things to consider when selecting a load cell for your load / force measurement requirement:


Step 1

Price and availability are normally the first two things to consider. If you’re on a limited budget or need something the next day this may narrow your selection. However Transducer Techniques does offer educational discounts and we stock our standard products ready for next day shipping.


Step 2

Define how you want to conduct the measurement and how you will apply the load. Will your loading be static or dynamic? A dynamic application usually requires a load cell with a higher frequency response (a good rule of thumb is the lower the load cell deflection the high the frequency response). Will you be loading the load cell in-line or require a load cell that can handle extraneous loads?  Will you be measuring bending, tension or compression or both, multi-axis such as thrust and torque?


Step 3

Define how this load cell will be mounted in your application. Do you require male or female threads or a flange mount? Do you need a through hole or compression load washer load cell that allows a structure to pass through the load cell?


Step 4

Define the environment in which the load cell is intended to be used in (laboratory, warehouse, outdoors, underwater). For extended outdoor use or in a marine environment or for underwater use, we recommend a hermetically seal load cell.


Step 5

Define the overall accuracy, output, bridge resistance, nonlinearity, hysteresis, nonrepeatability, frequency response.


Step 6

Define if there are any special options required, such as, connectors, addition cable lengths, high temperature,or if Cal-Teds (plug and play smart load cell option) is required.


Step 7

Define if load cell instrumentation is required. From a precision power supply, to an amplifier signal conditioner module, to a digital display with alarms, analog output or data logging, we have economical solutions for your load cell instrument requirements.


In summary, for someone using a load cell for the first time this can be overwhelming. But this is what we enjoy doing and we are always here for you. Please allow us to help you select the right load cell from installation, to setup, we will be here to assist you every step of the way.

Read less.
HFG Series Hand-Held Force Gauge Digital / Compact / Peak Capture
HFG Series Force Gauges
Digital / Compact / Peak Capture
Hand-Held Force Gauge

Capacity Ranges: 11 Through 110 lb
$108.00 to $710.00
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GSO Series Precision Gram Load Cell Universal / Tension or Compression
GSO Series Load Cell
Precision Gram Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 10 Through 1,000 Grams.
$745.00 to $835.00
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MDB series Ultra Precision Mini Load Cell Universal / Tension or Compression
MDB Series Load Cell
Ultra Precision Mini Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 2.5 Through 100 lb
$625.00 to $665.00
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MLP Series Mini Low Profile Load Cell Universal / Tension or Compression
MLP Series Load Cell
Mini Low Profile Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 10 Through 1,000 lb
$410.00 to $550.00
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SLB series Subminature Load Button Load Cell
SLB Series Load Cell
Subminature Load Button Load Cell
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 25 Through 1,000 lb
$515.00
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LBO Series Low Profile Compression Load Button Load Cell
LBO Series Load Cell
Low Profile Load Button Load Cell
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 100 Through 50,000 lb
$500.00 to $800.00
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LBC Series Low Profile Compression Load Button Load Cell with mounting
LBC Series Load Cell
Low Profile Load Button Load Cell
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 100 Through 50,000 lb
$500.00 to $800.00
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LBM Series Compression Load Button Load Cell With Mounting
LBM Series Load Cell
Low Profile Button Load Cell With
Mounting Provided Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 50 Through 10,000 lb
$575.00
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MLC Series Mini Load Column Load Cell Compression Only
MLC Series Load Cell
Mini Load Column Load Cell
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 2,000 Through 30,000 lb
$550.00 to $710.00
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CLC Series Low Profile Compression Only Load Column Load Cell
CLC Series Load Cell
Low Profile Load Column Load Cell
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 50,000 Through 400,000 lb
$1,000.00 to $2,500.00
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THA Series Through Hole Donut Load Cells (1.00 O.D.) Compression Only
THA Series Load Cell
Through Hole Donut Load Cell (1.00 O.D.)
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 50 Through 500 lb
$590.00
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THB Series Through Hole Donut Load Cells (1.50 O.D Compression Only
THB Series Load Cell
Through Hole Donut Load Cell (1.50 O.D.)
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 100 Through 2,000 lb
$630.00
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THC Series Through Hole donut Load Cell (2.00 O.D Compression Only
THC Series Load Cell
Through Hole Donut Load Cell (2.00 O.D.)
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 250 Through 10,000 lb
$695.00
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THD Series Through Hole Donut Load Cells (3.00 O.D.) Compression Only
THD Series Load Cell
Through Hole Donut Load Cell (3.00 O.D.)
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 2,000 Through 50,000 lb
$695.00
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LWO Series Compression Only Thru Hole Load Washer Load Cell
LWO Series Load Cell
Through Hole Load Washer Load Cell
Compression Only

Capacity Ranges: 2,400 Through 300,000 lb
$575.00 to $2,000.00
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SBO Series Precision Load Cells Universal / Tension or Compression
SBO Series Load Cell
Precision S Beam Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 50 Through 5,000 lb
$425.00 to $750.00
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SSM Series Surface Stud Mount Load Cells Universal / Tension or Compression
SSM Series Load Cell
Surface Stud Mount Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 100 Through 10,000 lb
$610.00
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DSM Series Dual Stud Mount Load Cells Universal / Tension or Compression
DSM Series Load Cell
Dual Stud Mount Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 100 Through 10,000 lb
$725.00
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TLL Series Economical Tension Load Cell For Accurate In-Line Force Measurement
TLL Series (Female Threads) Load Cell
Economical Tension Load Cell For
Accurate In-Line Force Measurement

Capacity Ranges: 500 Through 3000 lb
$505.00 to $545.00
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TLL Series Economical Tension Load Cells For Accurate In-Line Force Measurement
TLL Series (Male Threads) Load Cell
Economical Tension Load Cell For
Accurate In-Line Force Measurement

Capacity Ranges: 5k Through 50k lb
$680.00 to $995.00
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SWO Series A Compact Accurate Load Cells Universal / Tension or Compression
SWO Series Load Cell
A Compact Accurate Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 1,000 Through 50,000 lb
$570.00 to $1,140.00
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HSW SeriesHermetically Sealed Load Cells Universal / Tension Or Compression
HSW Series Load Cell
Hermetically Sealed Load Cell
Universal / Tension Or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 500 Through 50,000 lb
$795.00 to $1,300.00
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LPO Series Ultra Low Profile Load Cells Universal / Tension or Compression
LPO Series Load Cell
Ultra Low Profile Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 500 Through 20,000 lb
$825.00 to $1,750.00
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LPU Series Low Profile Universal Tension or Compression Load Cells
LPU Series Load Cell
Low Profile Universal /
Tension or Compression Load Cell

Capacity Ranges: 100 Through 50,000 lb
$880.00 to $1,275.00
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SWP Series Precision Fatigue Resistant Load Cell Universal / Tension or Compression
SWP Series Load Cell
Precision Fatigue Resistant Load Cell
Universal / Tension or Compression

Capacity Ranges: 1,000 Through 50,000 lb
$1,180.00 to $2,700.00
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CLP Series Marine & Industrial Environments Clevis Load Pin Load Cells
CLP Series Load Cell
Accurate / High Reliability In Harsh Marine
& Industrial Environments Load Pin Load Cell

Capacity Ranges: 750 Through 200,000 lb
$1,145.00 to $3,400.00
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TBS Series Load Cells
TBS Series Force Sensors
Full Bridge Thin Beam
Force Sensor
Capacity Ranges: .25 Through 40 lb
$135.00
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EBB Series economical bending beam Load Cells
EBB Series Load Cells
Economical Bending Beam
Load Cell
Capacity Ranges: 1 Through 10 kg.
$160.00
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LPS Series Load Cells
LSP Series Load Cells
Low Capacity Single Point
Bending Beam Load Cell
Capacity Ranges: 1 Through 10 kg.
$150.00
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ESP Series Load Cells
ESP Series Load Cells
Economical Single Point
Bending Beam Load Cell
Capacity Ranges: 6 Through 35 kg.
$175.00 to $215.00
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SPL Series Load Cells
SPL Series Load Cells
Medium Capacity Single Point
Bending Beam Load Cell
Capacity Ranges: 65 Through 500 kg.
$475.00
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SBL Series Load Cells
SBL Series Load Cells
Heavy Duty Shear Beam Load Cell
Capacity Ranges: 500 Through 20,000 lb
$395.00 to $1,055.00
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