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Which Load Cell is Better: Analog or Digital?

Before purchasing weighing scale equipment, there are certain crucial things one must take into consideration. Of course, the first among these is the intended use and application for the scale. 

Next, is to check its quality and durability and to ensure that it will be able to withstand the working conditions. 

Other things to look for are a strong weighing indicator, multiple connectivity options, and other technical specifications. But perhaps the most important factor to look for while buying a weighing scale is to check whether it has an analog or a digital load cell. It would not be wrong to say that the accuracy and precision of a weighing scale are determined by the type of load cell it uses.

In this blog, we take a closer look at the differences between a digital and an analog load cell. Let us find out which one makes a better option for accurate weighing.



What is a Load Cell?

Simply explained, load cells are the mechanism that enables weighing scales to measure the load of any object placed on them. 

The load cell is a device that converts energy from one form into another. They can accurately measure the force (derived from the weight of the object being measured) and then convert that force into an electric signal. This electric signal then gets converted into binary data and is displayed as numbers on an electronic weighing indicator. 

From a crane scale manufacturer to a platform scale manufacturer, all weighing industries make use of load cells to ensure the higher accuracy and precision of their weighing equipment. Load cells, when properly installed, can provide measurements as accurate as 0.03 to 1%.

Types Load Cells

Analog load cells are more widely used. It works on the principle of strain gauge sensors to measure the stress and weight strain from a load of an object. 

When the weight is placed upon the scale, the sensors attached to the spring element of the load bend. The bending of the strain gauge makes the resistors stretch, which causes the resistance to change. This changed resistance then gets converted into a voltage, which is sent to the scale via a wire to provide anaccurate, real-time measurement.

The only way a digital load cell differs from an analog cell is in the way that the resistance signal is processed by a digital cell. The three main points of difference are as follows:

·         Signal strength

Strain gauge signals originate as analog electrical voltages, but in case of a digital cell, they get automatically converted into digital signals. Using between two to six volts of energy, digital load signals are said to be stronger than analog signals.

·         Signal content

Digital load cells extract data from each load cell, while analog systems only utilize one cell's electrical voltage. Digital load signals use a binary language like computers, and thus, it is protected from radio signals or electromagnetism. This makes them more stable than analog.

·         Data sample rate

Analog cells can read information continuously and provide the data in real-time; while digital cells can collect information in bits, multiple times per second. This allows digital systems to accurately record measurements from hundreds of individual load cells in mere seconds.

Final Thoughts

Going by the above parameters, digital load cells seem to be the better choice. The next time you have to buy a truck scale load cell, keep the given points in mind while making your purchase decision. From load cells to weighing scales, HiWEIGH serves all your weighing needs.

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