What is Weight Sensor Working and Its Specifications

There are several measuring devices in electronics, which can be used for different applications based on their requirements. For measuring weight, there is one sensor namely weight sensor or load cell. This sensor is more prominently used for multiple purposes in weighing systems to measure the weight. A Weight sensor is known for its accuracy and consistency in delivering exact weight values and hence these sensors can be used in designing a weighing system. There is a different range of products available in the market which use sensors like weight measuring devices, used for designing an entire weighing system. This article discusses an overview of the weight sensor and its working with applications.

What is Weight Sensor?

Definition: A load cell or weight sensor is one kind of sensor otherwise a transducer. The working principle of the weight sensor depends on the conversion of a load into an electronic signal. The signal can be a change in voltage; current otherwise frequency based on the load as well as used circuit.

Theoretically, this sensor detects changes within a physical stimulus like force, pressure or weight and produces an output that is comparative to the physical stimulus. So, for a specific stable load otherwise weight size, this sensor provides an output value and that is comparative to the weight’s magnitude. The best example of this sensor module is SEN0160.

Module – SEN0160

The SEN0160 weight sensor module is based on HX711 ADC; it is an accurate 24-bit ADC which is designed for industrial control as well as weighs scale applications to connect straight with a bridge sensor. Evaluated with other integrated circuits, this HX711 includes basic functions and also some features like a quick response, high integration, immunity, etc. This chip reduces the cost of electronic scale as well as improves the reliability and performance.

Weight Sensor Module Specifications

This sensor module specification is listed below.

• Capacity is 1kg
• The excitation voltage range is from 5V to 15 V
• O/p sensitivity is 1.0 ± 0.15 mV/V
• Synthetical error is 1 for every thousand cents of complete-scale
• Zero shifts are 0.05 or 0.03
• Zero o/p is ±0.1mV/V
• I/p impedance is 1055±15 Ω
• O/p impedance is 1000±5 Ω
• Overload capacity is 200 %F.S
• Analog output
• 33mm*38mm dimension

Different Types

There are many options available for measuring a stable weight otherwise any size of loads with the help of a single load cell. Load cells or weight sensors are classified into different types. The applications of weight sensors mainly involve in measuring weight in several applications. The most frequently used weight sensors are a strain gauge, capacitance, hydraulic and pneumatic.

In the above-mentioned types of sensors, the first two are electrical transducer devices. It is a sensor used to detect a physical stimulus and generate voltage as an output.

The remaining two sensors do not openly generate output like electrical signals however they can have their o/p based on the application condition. The strain gauge is the most frequently used sensor in various industries like domestic, automation, medicine, automotive, etc.

How to Select Load Cell/Weight Sensor?

The selection of a load cell for a specific application can be done by considering the following points.

• Range of measurement
• Based on application
• Capacity requirements
• based on size & specification requirements
• Overload should be best

HX711 Specifications

The specifications of HX711 include the following.

• 24 bit ADC for weight scales
• Two different input channels which are selectable
• Digital control is easy as well as interface is serial
• Selectable o/p data rate is 10SPS otherwise 80SPS
• Instantaneous supply rejection is 50Hz & 60Hz
• The voltage supply is 2.6V to 5.5V
• The current supply is less than 1.6mA
• Working temperature is -40°C to 85°C
• 16- Pin SOP-16 package

Thus, the performance of the weighing system can be influenced by several factors like vibration, temperature, environment, maintenance, and structural movement. Here is a question for you, what are the applications of weight sensors?