Load Cell Selection Guide: S-Type vs Shear Beam vs Button vs Single Point (+ Indicator or 4-20 mA Amplifier)
Short answer: pick the load cell by how the load is applied (S-type for hanging or in-line force, shear beam for platforms and tank legs, button for tight compression spaces, single point for small bench scales), size it so your normal load sits well inside its rated capacity, then read the 2 mV/V bridge signal with either a panel weighing indicator (display + relays) or a DIN-rail amplifier (4-20 mA / 0-10 V to a PLC). Find it by part number. Buy it with the specs in front of you.
Which load cell type fits my application?
- S-type (column): works in tension and compression. Typical for hanging hoppers, tension measurement and in-line force rigs.
- Shear beam (cantilever): bolted at one end, load on the other. Typical for platform scales and for weighing tanks or silos on legs (one cell per leg).
- Button (compression): very low height, compression only. Typical for presses, test fixtures and places with little room.
- Single point: one cell carries a whole small platform and tolerates off-center loading, so no summing box is needed. Typical for bench scales, check-weighers and filling stations.
Specs at a glance: load cells
| Product | Type | Capacity | Output | Accuracy figures (as listed) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-type load cell | S-type, tension + compression | 200 kg – 5 t | 2.0 ±0.05 mV/V, 350 Ω out | Non-linearity ±0.05–0.1 % FS; repeatability ±0.05 % FS | $39.99 – $83.99 |
| Shear beam load cell | Shear beam, alloy steel | 50 kg – 10 t | 2.0 ±0.05 mV/V, 350 Ω | Non-linearity 0.3 % F.S.; repeatability 0.3 % F.S. | $74.99 – $291.99 |
| Button load cell | Button, compression, IP66 | 5 kg – 2 t | 1.0–2.0 ±0.05 mV/V, 350 Ω | Non-linearity 0.05 % F.S.; repeatability 0.03 % F.S. | $62.99 |
| Single point load cell | Single point, aluminum | 5 – 50 kg | 2.0 mV/V ±10 %, 350 Ω | Linearity 0.02 % R.O.; repeatability 0.02 % R.O. | $31.99 |
Specs at a glance: reading the signal
| Product | Best for | Input | Outputs | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-digit weighing controller | Local display + set points on a panel door | Up to 8 × 350 Ω cells, 0.5–3.0 mV/V, 24-bit ADC | 3 relays; 0-5 V / 0-10 V / 4-20 mA and RS485 by version | 10–28 VDC or 85–265 VAC | $71.99 – $119.99 |
| RW-GT01A load cell amplifier | Feeding weight into a PLC analog input | 2 mV/V bridge (±10 %) | 4-20 mA, 0-5 V, 0-10 V (switch selectable) | 24 VDC, DIN rail | $114.99 |
Questions and answers
How do I size the capacity?
Add the empty weight of the platform, hopper or tank to the heaviest product load, divide by the number of cells, and choose a capacity comfortably above that figure. The cells above list a safe overload of 150 % of rated load; shock loads and uneven support use up that margin quickly, so do not plan to run near it.
What does 2 mV/V mean?
At full rated load the cell outputs 2 millivolts for every volt of excitation. With 10 V excitation a 2 mV/V cell gives about 20 mV at full scale. That is why a load cell always needs an indicator or amplifier: the signal is far too small for a standard PLC input.
Indicator or amplifier?
Use the weighing controller when an operator needs to read the weight at the machine and you want relays for high/low or batch set points. Use the RW-GT01A amplifier when the PLC does the logic and only needs a 4-20 mA or 0-10 V weight signal.
Can I connect several load cells to one input?
The weighing controller lists support for up to 8 × 350 Ω cells. Tanks and platforms on 3 or 4 legs normally parallel the cells through a summing (junction) box first. Use cells of the same model and capacity in one scale.
Which cell for a tank on legs?
Shear beam cells, one under each leg, are the usual choice for tanks and silos. Pipe connections to the tank should be flexible, otherwise they carry part of the weight and the reading drifts.
Is this a legal-for-trade scale?
No. None of these listings states a legal-for-trade approval. Use them for process weighing, filling, inventory and force measurement, not for selling goods by weight.
Can I watch tank or hopper weight remotely?
Yes. The 4-20 mA output of the RW-GT01A, or the RS485 version of the weighing controller, can go through a Modbus I/O module or gateway to AutomationBotX Cloud: live weight, trend chart and alarm rules in the app, plus a notice when the device stops reporting. It is read-only monitoring (it never sends commands) and it is not a safety system. The first 10 machines are free, no card needed. How the signal gets from the sensor to your phone.
Need several units?
Ask for a written volume quote on our wholesale page.
Free US shipping on every order. Specs above come from the product listings; if a value you need is not listed, it is not stated by the supplier. Prices checked on November 10, 2026 and may change; the product page shows the current price.