Bending Beam Load Cells
The BSH series is a stainless steel bending beam load cell with hermetic seal, rated from 50 to 300 kg capacity with ±0.03% nonlinearity, built for platform scales, belt weighing, and batching systems in corrosive or washdown environments.
TL;DR — Bending Beam Load Cells at a Glance
- Stainless steel, hermetically sealed single-ended bending beam
- 50–300 kg capacity across 6 standard models
- ±0.03% nonlinearity, ±0.01% repeatability
- 2.0 mV/V rated output, 350 Ω bridge resistance
- 150% safe overload protection
- Replaces HBM Z6, Rice Lake RLHBB, Tedea 355, Celtron HBB
- Ships from Illinois warehouse with free 2-day nationwide delivery
At-a-Glance Technical Summary
What Are Bending Beam Load Cells
A bending beam load cell measures force by detecting controlled flexure in a metal element. Four bonded foil strain gauges in a full Wheatstone bridge configuration sense the microstrain produced when a load bends the beam from one end. The BSH mounts at one end and receives the load at the free end, converting mechanical deflection into a proportional mV/V electrical signal.
Unlike shear beam cells that measure material deformation through the cross-section, bending beams rely on surface strain from flexure. This geometry makes them compact and well-suited for low-profile platform scales where vertical space is limited. The trade-off is lower maximum capacity compared to shear beams or compression cells; the BSH tops out at 300 kg, while shear beam cells handle 10,000 lb and above.
Key Features
Hermetic Weld Seal
Welded stainless steel housing protects the strain gauge element from moisture, chemical vapors, and particulate ingress. No silicone potting to degrade — the seal is structural, not adhesive.
±0.01% Repeatability
Cycle-to-cycle variation stays within ±0.01% of rated output. For a 200 kg BSH, that means 20 grams of variation between consecutive readings under identical loading conditions.
Multi-Brand Interchangeability
Drop-in replacement for HBM Z6, Rice Lake RLHBB, Tedea 355, Revere SHB, Scaime F60X, Cardinal CB6, and Celtron HBB. Same mounting geometry and electrical output.
Low-Profile Form Factor
Overall height under 42 mm keeps the BSH suitable for platform scales and bench-top systems where vertical clearance restricts cell selection.
Who These Load Cells Are For
Typical Applications
Platform and Bench Scales
Four BSH-100KG cells under a 400 kg bench platform, wired through a JB-PCB-4 summing card, deliver ±0.03% accuracy across the platform. The low-profile body fits under standard 450 × 600 mm platform frames with room for leveling feet.
Belt Scales and Conveyor Weighing
Belt scale integrators mount the BSH under an idler frame to weigh material in motion. The ±0.01% repeatability keeps totalization error within process tolerances for aggregate, grain, and bulk powder flow monitoring.
Batching and Dosing Systems
Chemical and food batching systems rely on stable static weight readings. The BSH’s ±0.03% creep over 30 minutes means a 200 kg batch drifts less than 60 grams during the fill-and-settle cycle. Stainless construction resists corrosion from spills and washdown chemicals.
Tank and Hopper Packing
Small-to-mid-size packing stations use three or four BSH cells under a fill hopper to verify bag weight. The 150% safe overload rating absorbs the impact of material dumped into the hopper without permanent zero shift.
How to Select the Correct Capacity
Start with total applied load — dead load (platform frame, mounting hardware, empty vessel) plus maximum live load (product, material, operator force). Multiply by 1.5 to 2.0 for a safety factor that accounts for impact loading, material surge, and off-center placement.
Worked example: A bench scale platform weighs 15 kg. Maximum product load is 80 kg. Total static load = 95 kg. Apply 2× safety factor = 190 kg. Four cells share the load: 190 ÷ 4 = 47.5 kg per cell. The BSH-50KG handles this with margin. Stepping to the BSH-75KG gives additional headroom for impact.
A common sizing mistake: choosing the exact rated capacity for your peak load. A 100 kg cell loaded to 100 kg operates at the top of its rated range, where nonlinearity is worst and fatigue life shortens. Loading to 60–80% of rated capacity keeps you in the optimal accuracy band and extends service life considerably.
Installation & Mounting Guidelines
Proper mounting configuration ensuring a controlled load path and accurate force transfer in bending beam load cell installations.
The BSH mounts flat with two bolts through the fixed end. The load-application end hangs free, accepting vertical force through a loading point or platform foot. Surface flatness at the mounting face should be Ra 1.6 µm or better. An uneven mounting surface introduces a preload on the beam element that shifts zero balance and degrades accuracy.
Bolt torque matters. Over-tightening compresses the cell body, shifting zero. Under-tightening allows micro-movement under load. Refer to the BSH datasheet for the recommended torque specification for each capacity. A calibrated torque wrench pays for itself in avoided recalibration cycles.
One field mistake that recurs: mounting the cell with the cable exit facing the load application point. The cable should exit from the fixed (bolted) end, not the free end. Reversed orientation creates bending in the cable gland under load, and repeated flexing severs conductors within six months.
Technical Specifications Overview
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Available Capacities | 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300 kg |
| Rated Output | 2.0 mV/V ± 0.1% |
| Nonlinearity | ±0.03% of rated output |
| Hysteresis | ±0.03% of rated output |
| Repeatability | ±0.01% of rated output |
| Creep (30 min) | ±0.03% of applied load |
| Zero Balance | ±1% of rated output |
| Temp. Effect on Output | ±0.002% of reading/°C |
| Temp. Effect on Zero | ±0.002% of rated output/°C |
| Compensated Temp. Range | -10 to +40°C (14 to 104°F) |
| Safe Operating Temp. | +10 to +70°C (50 to 158°F) |
| Safe Overload | 150% of rated capacity |
| Input Impedance | 387 Ω |
| Output Impedance | 350 Ω |
| Insulation Resistance | 5,000 MΩ |
| Rated Excitation | 10 V AC/DC |
| Maximum Excitation | 15 V AC/DC |
| Material | Stainless steel, welded seal |
| Cable Length | 3 m (10.1 ft), 4-conductor |
Cross-Reference Compatibility
The BSH series provides dimensional and electrical interchangeability with several widely-installed bending beam models. If your current cell is from the list below, the BSH drops into the same mounting footprint and produces the same mV/V output signal. No indicator reconfiguration beyond recalibration is required.
| Manufacturer | Model | BSH Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| HBM | Z6 | BSH (same capacity) |
| Rice Lake | RLHBB | BSH (same capacity) |
| Tedea-Huntleigh | 355 | BSH (same capacity) |
| Revere Transducers | SHB | BSH (same capacity) |
| Scaime | F60X | BSH (same capacity) |
| Cardinal Scale | CB6 | BSH (same capacity) |
| Celtron | HBB | BSH (same capacity) |
Provide your current cell’s part number when requesting a quote. Transcell engineering will confirm bolt pattern, cable length, and capacity match before shipment.
Standards & Calibration Considerations
Transcell manufactures under an ISO 9001 quality management system. Every BSH load cell goes through individual calibration on dead-weight test stands before shipment. This is not batch sampling — each unit receives its own NIST-traceable calibration certificate documenting actual output at zero, 50%, and 100% of rated capacity.
NIST-traceable calibration means the test weights and reference standards used during calibration chain back to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. For process industries operating under ISO 9001, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, or GMP requirements, this traceability is a purchasing prerequisite that Transcell includes at no additional charge.
If your application falls under legal-for-trade requirements, verify that your complete weighing system — cell plus indicator — meets the OIML R60 accuracy class needed for your jurisdiction. The BSH specifications support Class C3 equivalent performance, but system-level certification depends on indicator selection and installation quality.
How Transcell Compares
Standard BSH capacities ship within 2–5 business days from the Illinois warehouse. Imported equivalents from European manufacturers typically quote 6–12 weeks. For a plant engineer waiting on a replacement cell to resume a production line, that lead time difference translates directly to avoided downtime cost.
Every BSH ships with an individual NIST-traceable calibration certificate included in the unit price. Several competitors charge $200–400 extra for the same documentation. Application engineering support responds to technical questions within 24 business hours, covering capacity selection, mounting review, and indicator compatibility.
The BSH occupies a mid-tier price position: less than European-manufactured equivalents, with the same stainless steel construction and hermetic sealing. Transcell has manufactured weighing components in the same Illinois facility since 1981.
Request a Quote for Your BSH Capacity Range
Tell us your application, required capacity, and quantity. Our engineering team will confirm compatibility and provide pricing within 24 business hours.
Related Products & System Components
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Engineering Support
Need help selecting the correct BSH capacity for your platform, belt scale, or batching system?
Our engineering team responds within 24 business hours. Capacity selection, mounting review, indicator compatibility, and cross-reference verification included.
Transcell Technology Inc. · Buffalo Grove, IL · Since 1981