Tension Load Cells
The BSS series is an alloy steel S-beam tension and compression load cell, NTEP Class III certified, rated from 25 to 10,000 lb with ±0.03% nonlinearity, built for hopper scales, tank weighing, and suspended load monitoring in demanding industrial environments.
TL;DR — Tension Load Cells at a Glance
- S-beam design for both tension and compression loading
- 25–10,000 lb capacity across 10 standard models
- NTEP Class III certified, ±0.03% nonlinearity, ±0.01% repeatability
- 3.0 mV/V rated output, 390 Ω bridge input impedance
- 150% safe overload, 300% ultimate overload protection
- Replaces Rice Lake RL20000, HBM S40, Sensortronics 60001, Celtron STC
- Alloy steel construction, metric variants available (BSS-KG 200–2000 kg)
At-a-Glance Technical Summary
25–10,000 lb (11–4,536 kg)
±0.03% of rated output
3.0 mV/V ± 0.05%
150% / 300% of rated capacity
Alloy steel, welded construction
Hopper scales, tank scales, suspended loads
mV/V (passive Wheatstone bridge)
-10 to +40°C (14 to 104°F)
What Are Tension Load Cells
An S-beam tension load cell senses force by detecting strain along its vertical axis. Four bonded foil strain gauges arranged in a full Wheatstone bridge configuration measure the material deformation when a load pulls (or pushes) along the cell’s centerline. The BSS accepts both tension and compression, making it versatile for hopper discharge monitoring, tank weight measurement, and suspended equipment weighing.
The S-beam geometry creates two key advantages. First, it tolerates both axial tension and compression without reconfiguring or flipping the cell. Second, the cross-sectional area is large relative to bending beam designs, so S-beam cells carry much higher capacities — 10,000 lb versus the 300 kg maximum of bending beams. The trade-off is a taller form factor. Where vertical space is tight, a single-point or bending beam cell may fit better.
Key Features
Dual-Direction Loading
Single cell handles both tension and compression without adjustment. Hopper discharge pulls the cell downward; tank weight compresses it equally. The bridge output is proportional to force magnitude regardless of direction.
NTEP Class III Certification
The BSS is legally certified for commercial weighing by the National Conference on Weights and Measures. Meets repeatability, accuracy, and overload specs required for trade-approved scales used in commerce.
300% Ultimate Overload
Survives transient loads up to three times rated capacity without permanent damage. A 5,000 lb cell endures 15,000 lb momentary pulses from impact or surge, critical for hopper fill shock and dump impacts.
Multi-Brand Interchangeability
Drop-in replacement for Rice Lake RL20000, HBM S40, Sensortronics 60001, Tedea STC, and Celtron STC. Same mounting eye geometry, cable exit location, and electrical output simplify retrofits.
Series Comparison Table
| Series | Capacities | Accuracy | Material | Application | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSS (Flagship) | 25–10,000 lb | ±0.03% nonlinearity | Alloy steel, NTEP | Hopper, tank, suspended loads | $180–$735 |
| BSA (Economy) | General range | Standard accuracy | Alloy steel | General tension/compression | $180 |
| BAB-MT | 50N–1000N | ±0.02% nonlinearity | Aluminum, IP67 | Small apparatus, research | $300 |
| BAB-MT2 | Metric/Imperial | Ultra high accuracy | Premium construction | Precision testing, R&D | $325–$450 |
| BSS-KG (Metric) | 200–2000 kg | ±0.03% nonlinearity | Alloy steel | International markets | $275 |
Who These Load Cells Are For
Typical Applications
Hopper Discharge and Batching
Three or four BSS load cells suspend a hopper above a conveyor or packaging line. As material discharges, the decreasing load produces a negative signal proportional to weight lost. Integrating this signal over time yields batch totals. NTEP certification means the system can be used for material billing if coupled with an approved indicator.
Tank and Silo Weighing
Install a BSS cell at each corner of a tank support frame or use 2–3 cells at major load points. The dual tension/compression capability means the cell reads the same magnitude whether the tank pulls upward (tension) or sits on a platform (compression). Stainless or painted alloy steel resists corrosion from spills and washdown.
Suspended Load Monitoring
Overhead cranes and jib arms equipped with load cells prevent overload and alert operators. The BSS absorbs the shock of load pickup without permanent deformation. A 1,000 lb cell rated at 1,500 lb momentary can sustain the 3,000 lb transient from dropped packages bouncing on the hook.
Material Handling Scales
Weighing platforms suspended on rope or chain use tension cells to measure the load continuously. Truck scales and goods-in verification scales employ 4–8 BSS cells under a deck. Each cell carries a portion of the total weight, summed through a junction box or digital indicator.
How to Select the Correct Capacity
Begin with the maximum load the cell will support: product weight, vessel dead load, and installation hardware. For tension applications, add the weight of any hanging structure below the cell. For compression, include platform mass. Multiply by a safety factor of 1.5 to 2.0 to accommodate impact, shock, and off-center loading conditions.
Worked example: A hopper weighs 200 lb empty and holds 800 lb of material. Total suspended mass = 1,000 lb. Apply 1.5× safety factor = 1,500 lb. Use three BSS-1000LB cells or four BSS-500LB cells. Three 1,000 lb cells divide the load at 500 lb each, staying well within the linear range. Stepping to BSS-2000LB cells gives more headroom but costs more and is underutilized.
A field mistake seen regularly: oversizing cells to the ultimate overload rating. A 5,000 lb cell rated for 15,000 lb ultimate overload may tempt you to apply 10,000 lb of sustained load. Resist this. Keep operating load at 60–80% of rated capacity to maximize accuracy and service life. Operating at 100% of rated capacity pushes you to the edge of the nonlinearity spec and accelerates creep.
Installation & Mounting Guidelines
The BSS mounts vertically with its upper eye bolted to a fixed structure and the load attached to the lower eye. The centerline of the loading force must align with the cell’s vertical axis. Lateral loads or sideways pull on the cell introduce unwanted bending stress that shifts zero balance and degrades accuracy.
Cable routing is critical. Run the 20 ft four-conductor shielded cable from the cell’s gland downward, avoiding sharp bends that crimp the shield. Where the cable enters the indicator or junction box, coil gently in a 4–6 inch radius to prevent micro-fractures. Pinched cable commonly fails after 6–12 months of thermal cycling and vibration.
A recurring problem in field installations: mounting the cell at an angle or allowing lateral motion. Any sideways movement at the load attachment point creates bending in the S-beam that the strain gauges detect as false weight. A 45-degree angle on a hopper hanging from one cell can shift the reading by 5–10% or more. Always confirm vertical alignment before final tightening.
Technical Specifications Overview
| Parameter | Value (BSS Series) |
|---|---|
| Available Capacities | 25, 50, 100, 150, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000 lb |
| Rated Output | 3.0 mV/V ± 0.05% |
| Nonlinearity | ±0.03% of rated output |
| Hysteresis | ±0.02% of rated output |
| Repeatability | ±0.01% of rated output |
| Creep (30 min) | ±0.02% of applied load |
| Zero Balance | ±1% of rated output |
| Temp. Effect on Output | ±0.0015%/°F |
| Temp. Effect on Zero | ±0.0015%/°F |
| Compensated Temp. Range | -10 to +40°C (14 to 104°F) |
| Safe Operating Temp. | -30 to +80°C (-22 to +176°F) |
| Safe Overload | 150% of rated capacity |
| Ultimate Overload | 300% of rated capacity |
| Input Impedance | 390 ± 10 Ω |
| Output Impedance | 350 ± 3 Ω |
| Insulation Resistance | 5,000 MΩ |
| Rated Excitation | 10 V AC/DC |
| Maximum Excitation | 15 V AC/DC |
| Material | Alloy steel, welded |
| Cable Length | 20 ft, 4-conductor shielded |
| Loading Direction | Tension or compression (vertical axis) |
Standards & Calibration Considerations
Transcell manufactures the BSS under ISO 9001 quality management and NIST-traceable calibration protocols. Every cell is individually tested and certified before shipment. The BSS carries NTEP Class III certification, meaning it meets the accuracy and repeatability criteria set by the National Conference on Weights and Measures and can be deployed in commercial weighing systems subject to legal-for-trade regulation.
NIST traceability certifies that the test weights and reference standards used during factory calibration connect to the National Institute of Standards and Technology through an unbroken chain of comparison. For applications requiring compliance with ISO 9001, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, GMP, or SQF standards, this documentation is essential. Transcell includes the NIST-traceable calibration report at no additional charge.
For systems requiring OIML R60 legal-for-trade approval (meat, dairy, grain facilities), confirm that your complete system — cell plus indicator — meets the accuracy class needed in your jurisdiction. The BSS specifications support Class C3 performance, but system certification depends on indicator selection, installation quality, and local regulatory authority approval.
How Transcell Compares
The BSS is in stock at the Transcell Illinois warehouse. Standard capacities ship within 2–5 business days. Sourcing equivalent NTEP cells from overseas manufacturers typically requires 6–12 weeks, adding cost and delay to hopper retrofit projects and OEM schedules.
Pricing sits between imported European cells and ultra-budget commodity models. The BSS offers NTEP Class III certification, full technical support, and NIST-traceable calibration as standard features without upcharge. Competitors often sell the cell at a lower headline price but bill separately for calibration ($200–400), documentation ($50–100), and technical support.
Transcell’s application engineering team responds within 24 business hours to capacity selection, mounting review, and cross-reference questions. A plant engineer retrofitting a tank scale can email a photo of the existing cell and mounting, and Transcell will confirm whether the BSS is a drop-in replacement, or suggest a different model. This level of support keeps retrofit projects on schedule.
Get a Quote for BSS Tension Load Cells
Tell us your capacity, quantity, and application (hopper, tank, suspended load). Our engineering team will confirm compatibility and deliver pricing within 24 business hours.
Related Products & System Components
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Engineering Support
Need help selecting the correct BSS capacity for your hopper, tank, or suspended load application?
Our engineering team responds within 24 business hours. Capacity selection, mounting review, cross-reference verification, and system integration support included.
Transcell Technology Inc. · Buffalo Grove, IL · Since 1981