Load cell and force sensor knowledge hub

Choose the right load cell before the weighing system is built.

Load-cell.co.za helps engineers, buyers, OEMs and maintenance teams understand load-cell types, capacities, mounting hardware, IP ratings and trade-approved requirements for South African weighing projects.

Use the selection wizard Read the guides
2001+Richter Scale load-cell and weighing experience
IP66-IP69KEnvironmental protection guidance
kg to tonMicro platforms to heavy industrial systems
ZAPractical South African application support
Load cell types

Match the sensor type to the force path.

A load cell converts force into an electrical signal. The right choice depends on force direction, support points, accuracy, environment and whether the result is used for trade.

H8C alloy steel shear beam load cell
Platforms and hoppers

Shear beam

Common in floor scales, pallet scales, conveyor weighing, process hoppers and medium-capacity platforms.

HM2D4 compression and tension load cell
Tanks and force tests

Compression / tension

Used where the structure pushes down onto the cell or pulls through the cell.

B3G stainless steel S-type load cell
Hanging loads

S-type

Ideal for suspended weighing, crane scale projects, tension measurement and pull-force checks.

Load cell accessories including mounting and junction box hardware
Accuracy hardware

Modules and junction boxes

Mounting kits, anti-lift hardware, surge protection and junction boxes make the installation repeatable.

Richter Scale product range

Browse common Zemic load-cell models by type.

Grouped product rows keep the range scannable without turning the page into a long catalogue.

Single point4 families
Model L6G load-cell range

Model L6G

Compact platforms, bench scales and packaging equipment.

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Model L6T load-cell range

Model L6T

Aluminium single point option for larger platform designs.

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L6F / L6N family load-cell range

L6F / L6N family

Cost-effective aluminium single point cells for pricing, belt, bench and platform scales.

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BM6 / B6 stainless family load-cell range

BM6 / B6 stainless family

Stainless single point and bending-beam options for washdown, belt and platform weighing.

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Shear beam4 models
Model H8C load-cell range

Model H8C

Floor scales, pallet scales, hoppers and process weighing.

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Model H8 load-cell range

Model H8

Heavy-duty alloy steel option for platforms, hoppers and conveyors.

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Model BM8D load-cell range

Model BM8D

Stainless route for demanding tank, conveyor and heavy platform applications.

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Model BM8H load-cell range

Model BM8H

Stainless beam for harsh industrial contexts.

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Double shear beam and weighbridge4 families
Model HM9C load-cell range

Model HM9C

High-accuracy IP68 dual shear beam for weighbridges and heavy systems.

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HM9B / HM9E family load-cell range

HM9B / HM9E family

Alloy steel dual shear beam options for truck, track and hopper weighing.

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H9N / H9H family load-cell range

H9N / H9H family

Heavy dual shear beam choices for track scales, truck scales and rail projects.

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B9 stainless family load-cell range

B9 stainless family

Stainless dual shear beam options for corrosive or wet heavy weighing sites.

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Tension and hanging4 families
Model H3 load-cell range

Model H3

Hanging loads, crane scale projects, pull force and tension measurement.

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Model H3F load-cell range

Model H3F

Alloy steel S-type option for tension, compression and hopper applications.

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Model B3G load-cell range

Model B3G

Stainless tension/compression option for harsh or washdown environments.

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BM3 / load-link family load-cell range

BM3 / load-link family

Stainless S-type and link-style options for hanging, crane and force testing work.

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Compression and column4 families
Model HM2D4 load-cell range

Model HM2D4

Tank, hopper and force applications needing robust alloy steel measurement.

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Model BM14D load-cell range

Model BM14D

High-capacity stainless compression for silos and heavy systems.

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Model BM24R load-cell range

Model BM24R

Self-aligning stainless column option for weighbridges and silos.

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BM14 / column family load-cell range

BM14 / column family

Compression cells for vessels, silos, bins, hoppers, filling and load testing.

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Bellowed and bending beam4 families
B6F / B6N family load-cell range

B6F / B6N family

Bending-beam cells for belt scales, platform scales and compact process projects.

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B6E / B6Q family load-cell range

B6E / B6Q family

Stainless compact beams for pricing, bench, belt and platform scales.

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BM6A / BM6E family load-cell range

BM6A / BM6E family

Hermetically sealed stainless options for platform and washdown weighing.

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BM6G family load-cell range

BM6G family

IP68/IP69K stainless option for high-accuracy platform and belt-scale systems.

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Accessories, junction boxes and instruments4 ranges
Mounting hardware load-cell range

Mounting hardware

Load feet, vessel mounts, anti-lift kits and force-introduction hardware.

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Junction boxes load-cell range

Junction boxes

Multi-cell summing, trimming and stainless enclosure options.

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Indicators and transmitters load-cell range

Indicators and transmitters

Panel, wall, DIN-rail and process instrumentation for weighing projects.

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EX and scale kits load-cell range

EX and scale kits

Hazardous-area options and pre-matched kits for bench, platform and process scales.

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Authority guides

Selection is engineering, not guesswork.

The most expensive load-cell mistake is usually not the sensor price. It is poor alignment, side loading, moisture ingress, wrong capacity, missing approval, unstable foundations or a system that cannot be serviced.

Capacity and safety factor

For tanks and hoppers, divide total live load across support points, then allow for dead load, impact, eccentric loading and future process changes. Oversizing too far can reduce useful resolution.

Mounting and load introduction

A good mounting kit guides force vertically into the sensing element while managing uplift, thermal expansion, vibration and lateral forces from mixers, conveyors or forklifts.

Environment and materials

Alloy steel is strong and cost-effective for protected industrial use. Stainless steel is preferred for washdown, corrosive, food, pharmaceutical, outdoor and coastal sites.

Signal integrity

Long cable runs, welding, lightning, moisture and poor junction-box trimming can all damage accuracy. Treat the load cell as a low-level sensor network, not just a spare part.

Applications

Build the brief around the real working conditions.

Two projects with the same capacity can need different load cells if one has vibration, washdown, legal-for-trade use, dynamic loading or a structure that expands in the sun.

TK

Tank weighing

Compression modules, anti-lift protection, check rods, stable foundations and careful pipe decoupling.

HP

Hoppers and batching

Shear beam, S-type or compression modules depending on geometry, live loading and process vibration.

SI

Silos

High-capacity compression or column load cells with lightning, wind, uplift and structure checks.

WB

Weighbridges

Dual shear beam, rocker column or compression cells with civil, drainage and serviceability considerations.

PL

Platforms

Single point cells for small platforms; shear beams for heavier floors, pallets and industrial platforms.

CN

Conveyors

Dynamic weighing needs repeatable idler mechanics, speed signal integrity and robust shear beam installations.

HL

Hanging loads

S-type cells suit tension weighing, suspended bins, crane scale projects and controlled force checks.

FM

Force measurement

Testing machines, presses and pull-force rigs need the force path, overload risk and calibration method defined.

OEM

OEM equipment

Packaging, filling, checkweighing and automation projects need compact cells, repeatability and data integration.

Selection wizard

Get a first-pass load-cell recommendation.

This tool narrows the sensor type, capacity range, material and accessories. Final selection should confirm dimensions, mounting, approval status, cabling and site conditions.

What are you weighing?

Choose the closest application.

Total live weight?

Select the expected process load before support-point allowance.

How many support points?

Most vessel systems use one load cell per support point.

Environment?

Exposure affects sealing, material and certification requirements.

Material requirement?

If unsure, the wizard will recommend based on exposure and risk.

Trade approved?

Legal-for-trade systems usually require approved cells and compatible indicators.

Your load-cell recommendation

Use this as a starting brief for supply, datasheets and technical assistance.

Materials and IP ratings

Read the model code before the datasheet.

In the ZEMIC load-cell ranges used by Richter Scale, H often indicates alloy steel, L indicates aluminium and B indicates stainless steel. IP ratings describe protection against dust and moisture.

Fe

Alloy steel

Strong, economical and widely used in weighbridges, hoppers, platforms and general industrial process weighing where corrosion risk is controlled.

SS

Stainless steel

Preferred for washdown, food, pharmaceutical, chemical, marine, mining and outdoor installations where moisture or corrosion can shorten sensor life.

Al

Aluminium

Often used for single point cells in compact platforms, bench scales, packaging machines and light commercial or industrial equipment.

67

IP67

Dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion. Commonly acceptable for many protected industrial applications.

68

IP68

Dust-tight and suitable for continuous immersion conditions as defined by the manufacturer. Often specified for outdoor and wet sites.

69K

IP69K

High-pressure, high-temperature washdown protection. Useful in hygiene-critical environments when the complete installation is also suitable.

FAQ

Load-cell questions that should be answered early.

A clear brief saves time when choosing cells, mounting kits, indicators and accessories.

What capacity load cell do I need?

Start with the maximum live load, add dead load, divide by support points, then allow for dynamic forces, uneven loading and safety factor. Do not oversize so much that accuracy suffers.

Can I replace one failed load cell with any matching capacity?

No. Confirm type, capacity, material, approval, output, cable wiring, dimensions and corner matching. In multi-cell systems, mismatched cells can cause unstable readings.

When do I need stainless steel?

Use stainless steel when the load cell will face washdown, outdoor exposure, corrosion, chemicals, food areas or sites where ingress protection and hygiene matter.

What else is needed besides the load cell?

Most systems need mounting hardware, a junction box, cable protection, an indicator or transmitter, surge protection and a calibration or verification plan.

Are load cells legal-for-trade?

The full weighing instrument must be suitable for the regulated purpose. The load cell, indicator, installation and verification context all matter.

Why does a good load cell still give bad readings?

Common causes include side loading, pipe forces, unstable foundations, water ingress, damaged cables, poor junction-box trimming, vibration, overload and incorrect calibration.

Quote-ready brief

Send the details that make load-cell selection faster.

A useful enquiry gives the technical team enough information to choose the load cell, mounting hardware, indicator, cabling and protection strategy without guessing.

  • Application type, maximum live load and support points.
  • Indoor, outdoor, washdown, corrosive or hazardous-area exposure.
  • Whether the system is legal-for-trade, process control or force testing.
  • Mounting constraints, cable route, indicator needs and required documents.

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Ready to turn the brief into a working weighing system?

Send your application, capacity, support points, environment and trade requirements to Richter Scale for load-cell selection, accessories and datasheets.

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