Tension & Compression Load Cells

octogon's tension & compression force transducers and load cells are available in aluminum alloy, 17-4 PH stainless steel, or nickel-plated AISI 4340 steel. With protection classes IP65, IP67, and IP68 or IP69k. Standard nominal loads range from 1N or 100g to 5MN or 500t, but special versions with higher nominal loads in both tension and compression can also be requested.

Tension & Compression Force Transducers and Load Cells for Both Directions of Force

These designs absorb tension & compression forces with a single transducer. They are screwed between two force application points and measure in both directions – typical for test benches, press monitoring, rope and belt tension forces, and retrofitting existing structures.

Force Transducer or Load Cell: The Same Component, Two Tasks

Anyone who wants to measure force selects by nominal force in kN, by tension, compression, or alternating load, and by accuracy class – in a press, on a test bench, in a material testing machine, for screw pre-tensioning, or on a cable. Anyone who wants to weigh selects by weighing range in kg and by verifiability – on a container, on a silo, on a suspended load. The component is the same in both cases. Therefore, both applications are presented together here, and that's why the articles are called force transducers, force sensors, or load cells depending on their use.

Designs in the Program

• S-Type Load Cells (S-Beam) – the universal design for alternating tension and compression
• Flange and Spoke Load Cells – high forces with a low profile
• Flat Designs – when installation space is limited
• Rod-End Load Cells – for long measuring distances

The range extends from miniature force transducers for a few Newtons (FSA, FZA) to tension-compression force sensors (FZB, FZE, FZF) and flange load cells in the high kN range (4CT, 8CT), plus force plates and versions with integrated displays.

Signal, Protection Class, and Calibration

All versions operate with strain gauges and output an mV/V signal, which can be converted to 4…20 mA, 0…10 V, or IO-Link with our weighing transmitters and measuring amplifiers. For demanding environments, there are variants with ATEX approval and protection class up to IP69k. Datasheets and 3D data are available for download with each article, and upon request, we calibrate according to ISO 17025 in our own laboratory.