Technical Comparison of Strain Gauge Load Cells and Digital Capacitive Load Cells
Both capacitive and strain gauge load cells use an elastic element. This element bends under the measured load.
The elastic element is usually made of aluminum for cheap load cells. Manufacturers use stainless steel for load cells in corrosive environments.
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Capacitive strain gauge transducers detect how much an elastic element deforms. Then, an electronic circuit converts this into a signal that shows the load.
Capacitive transducers are conductors that sit close to an elastic element. They measure deformation without touching it. On the other hand, strain gauges are insulating resistive foils. They attach to the elastic element without any intermediary. This makes them prone to shocks and overloads. This exposure is common in industrial settings.
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Sensitivity
Also, capacitive sensors are very sensitive. They can detect a 10% change in capacitance. In contrast, foil strain gauges show only a 0.1% change in resistance. Capacitive load cells are more sensitive, needing less deformation of the elastic element. This means the strain in their elastic element is 5 to 10 times lower than in strain gauge load cells.
Wiring and sealing
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The wide range of capacitance gives a digital output signal. In capacitance load cells, this signal is fast and shows the load in grams, kilograms, or Newtons. Low-cost coaxial cables with single-wire sealed connectors provide power to the load cell. They also send the high-speed digital signal back to the instrument. You can locate this instrument hundreds of meters away. A standard analog strain gauge load cell needs a costly 6-wire cable. This device uses this cable for both the power supply and the low-level signal. Then, the instrumentation converts the analog signal into a digital signal. In a digital strain gauge load cell, the amplifier and A/D converter fit inside a housing. The power supply and digital signal often go through a costly 6 or 7 wire cable to the instruments.
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Post time: Feb-25-2025
