Digital Load Cell Converter (DCell)

Very high performance embedded digital load cell converter or strain gauge digitizer module signal converter supplied in a miniature format designed specifically to be incorporated directly into strain gauge sensors such as load cells, pressure transducers and torque sensors. The DCell offers high speed and high precision digitizing capabilities, along with linearization and temperature compensation.

The DCell has conversion of standard strain gauge load cells to digital load cells.

This high performance digital load cell converter embeds directly into load cells, pressure transducers and/or torque sensors

The DCell output formats options include the RS485, ASCII, Modbus, MantraCAN (J1939). All are 4 wire bus and power formats offering connection of up to 32 sensors on just 4 wires. 

DCell Additional features are:-
Remote shunt calibration
Temperature compensation
Peak and trough recording
Long cable lengths up to 1000m

Try our ready to go Evaluation Kit  which includes one free DCell or DSC card.

First select the DCell you require and ask for the appropriate Evaluation Kit as an accessory item. See our Videos above for 'Getting Started with the Evaluation Kit' video.

For packaged options for mounting external to the sensor,- see models DSC Strain Gauge or Load Cell Digitiser Module, DSJ1 Strain Gauge or Load Cell Digitiser Module (1 Channel) and DSJ4 Strain Gauge or Load Cell Digitiser Module (4 Channel). 

DCell
Description		Min	Typical	Max	Units
Bridge Excitation		4.5	5	5.25	dc
Sensor Impedance up to 18V Supply		320	350	5,000	ohms**
Sensor Impedance up to 12V Supply		120	350	5,000	ohms**
Bridge Sensitivity		-3		+3	mV/V
Offset Temperature Stability			1	4	ppm/ºC
Gain Temperature Stability			3	5	ppm/ºC
Offset Stability with Time			0.002	0.008	%FR
Gain Stability with Time				30	ppm of FR/1st Year
Non Linearity			0.0005	0.0025	%FR
Internal Resolution			16 Million		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 1Hz (Noise Stable) *			200,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 10Hz (Noise Stable) *			120,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 100Hz (Noise Stable) *			50,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 500Hz (Noise Stable) *			18,000		Counts/Divisions
Optional Temperature Measurement Resolution			0.1		ºC
Optional Temperature Measurement Accuracy			1		ºC
Notes: From original offset at any time.  *Stability over 100 second period. **Subject to supply voltage. See Electrical Specification
Electrical
Power Supply Voltage		5.4	12	18	V dc
Power Supply Noise/Ripple				100	mV ac pk-pk
Power Supply Current (350R Bridge)			45	60	mA
Power @ 10V Supply (350R Bridge)			350		mW
Sensor Impedance up to 18v Supply		320	350	5,000	ohms
Sensor Impedance up to 12v Supply		120	350	5,000	ohms
Excitation System			4 wire
Environmental
Operating Temperature Range		-40		85	°C
Operating Temperature Range for OIML 6000d		-10		55	°C
Storage Temperature		-40		85	°C
Humidity		0		95	%RH on Condensing
Communications
RS485 Data Rate		2,400		230k	Baud
CAN Bit Rate		20k		1M	Bits/Sec
Note: Update speeds are selectable to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 60, 100, 200, 300, 500 Samples/Sec
Protocols
Available Now: ASCII, MANTRABUS II, Modbus RTU (via RS485) and MantraCAN - Contact Mantracourt for details. Please Note: MantraCAN products will only work with Mantracourt software up to and including Windows Vista.
DLCS Industrial Stability
Description		Min	Typical	Max	Units
Bridge Excitation		4.5	5	5.25	dc
Sensor Impedance up to 18v Supply		320	350	5,000	ohms**
Sensor Impedance up to 12v Supply		120	350	5,000	ohms**
Bridge Sensitivity		-3		+3	mV/V
Offset Temperature Stability			5	10	ppm/C
Gain Temperature Stability			30	50	ppm/C
Offset Stability with Time			0.0035	0.016	%FR
Gain Stability with Time				300	ppm of FR /1st Year
Non Linearity			0.0005	0.0025	% FR
Internal Resolution			16 Million		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 1Hz (Noise Stable) *			66,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 10Hz (Noise Stable) *			40,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 100Hz (Noise Stable) *			10,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 500Hz (Noise Stable) *			5,000		Counts/Divisions
Optional Temperature Measurement Resolution			0.1		ºC
Optional Temperature Measurement Accuracy			1		ºC
Notes: From original offset at any time. *Stability over 100 second period. ** Subject to supply voltage. See Electrical Specification
Electrical
Power Supply Voltage		5.6	12	18	V dc
Power Supply Noise/Ripple				100	mV ac pk-pk
Power Supply Current (350R Bridge)			45	60	mA
Power @ 10V Supply (350R Bridge)			350		mW
Sensor Impedance up to 18v Supply		320	350	5,000	ohms
Sensor Impedance up to 12v Supply		120	350	5,000	ohms
Excitation System			4 wire
Environmental
Operating temperature range		-40		85	°C
Storage temperature		-40		85	°C
Humidity		0		95	%RH Non Condensing
Communication
RS485 Data Rate		2,400		230k	Baud
CAN Bit Rate		10k		1M	Bits/Sec
Note: Update speeds are selectable to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 60, 100, 200, 300, 500 Samples/Sec
Protocols
Available Now: ASCII, MANTRABUS II, Modbus RTU (via RS485) and MantraCAN - Contact Mantracourt for details. Please Note: MantraCAN products will only work with Mantracourt software up to and including Windows Vista.
Support Modules
Instrument Explorer Software free PC software, RS232 - RS485 Convertor, DCell Evaluation Kits
Environmental
CE Environmental Approvals		European EMC Directive 2014/30/EC,  Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EC

 

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Product order options

Please read the following before selecting the options for this product:

The Embedded Digital Load Cell Converter or Strain Gauge Digitizer Module, the DCell is available in two main versions, differing only in performance and cost. These versions are the industrial stability (suitable for most industrial measurements) and the high stability (for very high precision measurements). Either type is available with various communications options, selectable from the list below.

For feasibility tests or evaluation, try our DCell Evaluation Kit which includes one free DCell from the list below. See EVALKITS. 

High Stability	Code
In Cell ASCII Protocol	DLCHASC
In Cell MANTRABUS Protocol	DLCHMAN
In Cell MODBUS Protocol	DLCHMOD
In Cell MantraCAN Protocol	DLCHMCAN
Incell CANopen Protocol	DLCHCOP
Industrial Stability	Code
In Cell ASCII Protocol	DLCSASC
In Cell MANTRABUS Protocol	DLCSMAN
In Cell MODBUS Protocol	DLCSMOD
In Cell MantraCAN Protocol	DLCSMCAN
Incell CANOpen Protocol	DLCSCOP
Options	Code
In-Line Housing for Load Cell Amplifiers & Digital Converters (*Ex Works)	ILE
Display	Code
Display Module with RS485 Input	DS485DIS
Accessories	Code
Evaluation Kit for CAN (*Ex Works)	EVAL-KIT-CAN
Evaluation Kit for RS485 (*Ex Works)	EVAL KIT 485
Digital temperature sensor module for wiring to DCell/DSC	DTEMP

These are the following industries and applications in which this product has been used:

• Civil Engineering - Opera House Relocation
• Agriculture - Weighing System for Mango Farm
• Marine - Mast Force Monitoring in Racing Yachts
• Marine - Prop Supports in Dry Dock
• Industrial Processing - Consistency in Repeatable Weld Joints
• Test & Measurement - Tension Sensors For The British Antarctic Survey
• Live Performance - Monitoring Peak Loads of Advertising Banners
• Torque Measurement - Steering Torque Sensors for Assessment Situations

Q: You offer two versions – industrial stability and high stability - of the DSC and DCell, what is the difference?

A: The Industrial Version offers 25ppm basic accuracy (equates to 16 bit resolution). The High Stability version offers 5ppm basic accuracy (equates to 18 bit resolution) with comparable stability which far exceeds standard instrument performance.

Q: Are the DSC devices low-power?

A: Yes, low-voltage DC supply (5.6V min), typically 40mA for RS485 &.52mA for RS232 (including 350R strain gauge).

Q: Is there adjustable sensitivity?

A: Yes, the DSC devices can be configured for standard 2.5mV/V full-scale strain gauges as supplied. A single additional resistor configures the input between 0.5 and 100 mV/V full-scale.

Q: Do you offer linearity compensation?

A: Yes, advanced 7-point linearity compensation.

Q: Are there self-diagnostics?

A: Yes, the DSC devices offer continuous monitoring for faults such as strain overload, over/under-temperature, broken sensors or unexpected power failure. All fault warnings are retained on power-fail.