PanMETRON's Straingage and Load Cell Conditioner card is a conditioning card developed for high accuracy and reliability measurements with load cells and strain sensors. The device supports a wide range of sensors, adapting to all strain units ranging from 120 Ohm to 1000 Ohm. The card has various technical features that ensure optimum operating conditions for safe and accurate operation of the load cells.

Basic Functions and Technical Specifications of the Card

1. Load Cell Supply Voltage Options

The Straingage and Load Cell Conditioner board provides two different supply voltages, 5V and 10V. These voltages are stabilized within ±1% tolerance, which is important to increase the measurement accuracy of the load cell. These stable voltages ensure the reliable operation of the load cells and maintain the measurement accuracy.

2. High Precision Gain Adjustments

There are four different gain levels on the board: x10, x100, x500 and x1000 to amplify the low voltage signals received from the load cell to the desired level. The user can select these gain levels via a miniature switch on the board. This allows the signal from the load cell to be amplified to the desired sensitivity level. The gain values ​​may vary depending on the different versions, which provides flexibility for the device. It is recommended to choose the gain values ​​carefully, as premature saturation may occur if the gain is selected too high.

3. Low Pass Filtering

The signal from the load cell is passed through a 10 kHz low-pass filter to reduce high-frequency interference and noise. This filter increases the measurement accuracy by making the signal more stable and accurate. In this way, false readings or noise effects that may be caused by high-frequency signals are minimized.

4. Current and Voltage Output Options

The conditioner card offers current output options such as 4-20 mA, 5-25 mA, 0-20 mA and 0-16 mA, which are frequently preferred in industrial applications. These outputs can be precisely adjusted by means of trimpots called Span and Zero and can be easily adapted to the required output range. When the current output is used, the load cell output signal is made compatible with industrial control systems. For the accuracy of the current output, the input impedance of the control unit must be 250 Ohm. Thus, a voltage range of 1V-5V is obtained in the standard 4-20 mA range.

5. Technical Protection Features for Precision and Reliability

The device is protected against reverse polarity, preventing damage that may occur due to incorrect connections. It is also equipped with protection circuits against short circuits or sudden high current demands. The supply voltage of the card can vary between 15V and 24V, and this flexibility offers the advantage of compatibility with different power sources. It is recommended that the cables are twisted and shielded to prevent possible interference, thus obtaining more stable and reliable results during measurement.

6. Use of Voltage and Current Outputs

The conditioner card offers both voltage and current options as output signals. In the voltage output, the measured signal is transferred directly to the output, while in the current output, a precision rectifier is used to output it. This feature keeps the strain measurement signals, which have both positive and negative values, limited to positive values ​​in the current output, thus ensuring that the output signal is received in a format that complies with industrial standards.

7. Things to Consider for Measurement Accuracy

The output signal from the conditioner card can be connected to the digital system with an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) if desired. Since modern ADCs generally accept signals of 3.3V or lower, the output signal must be adapted to these values. In high-accuracy voltage measurement, it is important that the voltage meter has a high input impedance.

Application Areas

PanMETRON Straingage and Load Cell Conditioner card can be used in many areas requiring high precision such as laboratory measurements, industrial weighing systems and test devices. It offers an ideal solution for projects requiring accurate measurement and reliable monitoring of sensor data in industrial control systems. With these features, it stands out as a powerful tool especially for engineers and researchers who want to obtain precise data from load cells.

This conditioner card from PanMETRON maximizes the user experience by offering precise measurement, filtering and reliable output options. Simplifying measurement processes, this device is the ideal solution for applications requiring high precision.

PanMETRON - Straingage and Load Cell Conditioner