A 5kg Load Cell – Straight Bar Weight Sensor is widely utilized in various applications to measure force or weight. Like its 1kg counterpart, it operates on the principle of strain gauges, providing reliable measurements of weight. Below is a detailed description, specifications, and a simple code example for interfacing it with an Arduino.
Description
- Type: Load Cell
- Material: Typically constructed from aluminum or stainless steel, ensuring durability and robustness.
- Shape: Straight bar design, convenient for installation in scales or weight measurement systems.
- Measurement Range: Up to 5 kg (can measure smaller weights as well).
- Output: Usually generates an analog voltage signal corresponding to the applied load.
Specifications
- Rated Capacity: 5 kg
- Operating Voltage: Typically between 5V to 12V (depending on the design)
- Output Sensitivity: Usually around 2.0 mV/V
- Zero Balance: Approximately ± 2% of full-scale output
- Non-Linearity: ± 0.02% of full-scale output
- Temperature Effect on Zero: < ± 0.05% of full scale per °C
- Temperature Range: -10°C to +60°C
- Electrical Connection: Usually has 4 wires – 2 for excitation voltage and 2 for signal output.
- Dimensions: Variable depending on the design, but generally designed for a compact footprint to facilitate easy integration.
Example Wiring Diagram
The wiring is similar to that of a 1kg load cell, typically connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration:
Sample wiring for a load cell in a Wheatstone bridge configuration.
Basic Code Example (Arduino)
For interfacing a load cell with an Arduino, you can use an amplifier module such as the HX711. Below is a sample code for reading and displaying the weight measurements from the 5kg load cell using the HX711 library.
Required Libraries
You will need the HX711 library to facilitate communication between the Arduino and the load cell.
Arduino Code
#include "HX711.h"
// Define the pins for the HX711 module
#define LOADCELL_DOUT_PIN 3
#define LOADCELL_SCK_PIN 2
HX711 scale;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600); // Start serial communication
scale.begin(LOADCELL_DOUT_PIN, LOADCELL_SCK_PIN);
scale.set_scale(); // Set the scale factor (calibration needed)
scale.tare(); // Zero the scale to remove any initial weight
Serial.println("Place a known weight on the scale for calibration:");
}
void loop() {
long weight = scale.get_units(10); // Get average of 10 readings
Serial.print("Weight: ");
Serial.print(weight);
Serial.println(" grams");
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second before the next reading
}
Calibration
To obtain accurate weight measurements, it is crucial to calibrate the load cell. You can perform the calibration by placing known weights on the load cell and adjusting the scale factor in the scale.set_scale()
function according to the output you receive.
Connection Note
Ensure that the load cell is connected properly to the HX711 module. The typical wiring is:
- Load Cell Wires:
- Red: Excitation+ (E+)
- Black: Excitation- (E-)
- White: Signal+ (S+)
- Green: Signal- (S-)
Conclusion
This guide provides an overview of the 5kg Load Cell – Straight Bar Weight Sensor, including its specifications and a basic implementation using an Arduino. With this setup, you can easily measure weights up to 5 kg for various applications. If you have any specific requirements or questions about interfacing and usage, feel free to ask!
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