PASCO PS-2201 User Manual

PASCO Structures System

®

5 N Load Cell

Load Cell, 5 N

PS-2201

fier, the Load Cell can measure compression and tension forces
in any component of the PASCO Structures System.

For example, the PASCO Structures System includes the
ME-6987 Flat Structures Members, ME-6990 Truss Set,
ME-6991 Bridge Set, and the ME-6992 Advanced Structures Set.

About the Load Cell

The PS-2201 Load Cell measures forces ranging from -5 N to
+5 N and is wired with a male 6-pin mini-DIN connector for
plugging into a Load Cell Amplifier.

Instruction Sheet

012-11097A

*012-11097*

Recommended Equipment

• Load Cell Amplifier (PS-2198) or Dual Load Cell
Amplifier (PS-2205)

• PASPORT Interface or SPARK SLS

Related Equipment

• Complete Structures Set (ME-6989)

• Truss Set (ME-6990)

• Bridge Set (ME-6991)

• Advanced Structures Set (ME-6992)

• Load Cell & Amplifier Set (PS-2199)

See www.pasco.com for details about PASPORT equipment and PASCO
Structures System parts and sets.

Introduction

The Load Cell, 5 N is designed to work with the PASCO Struc­tures System. When connected to a PASCO interface through the
PS-2198 Load Cell Amplifier or PS-2205 Dual Load Cell Ampli-

Figure 1: The 5N Load Cell has a semi-transparent case

The PS-2198 Load Cell Amplifier supports up to six Load Cells.
The PS-2205 Dual Load Cell Amplifier supports two Load Cells.
The PS-2199 Load Cell and Amplifier Set includes one Load
Cell Amplifier and four 100 N Load Cells.

Adding Load Cells

To measure the compressio n and tension forces in individual
members, add load cells to any PASCO Structure. Replace a
beam with two shorter beams and a load cell.

#5 beam = load cell + two #3 beams

#4 beam = load cell + two #2 beams

#3 beam = load cell + two #1 beams

800-772-8700 www.pasco.com

®

Load Cell, 5 N PS-2201

1.0 N21.0 N

2

+ 1.4 N=

Calibration of Load Cells

Load cells are factory calibrated; however, you can recalibrate
them in software or on the datalogger. See the documentation for
your software or datalogger for instructions.

When calibrating a load cell, it is necessary to apply a known
load. Assemble the fixture shown in Figure 4 to support the load
cell. Hold or clamp the fixture at the edge of a table and hang a
mass from it as shown.

Figure 2: A load cell combined with two #2 beams is the same length

as a #4 beam

Use thumbscrews to attach two beams to a load cell as shown in
Figure 2.

When using load cells, assemble your structure with the screws
loose. This will simplify the analysis by ensuring that the mem-

bers experience only tension and compression without moments.

Plug the mini-DIN connector at the end of the load cell cable into
a port on the Load Cell Amplifier. See the instructions that came
with the load cell amplifier for details about how to connect the
load cell amplifier to an interface or datalogger and collect data.

Note that the hanging mass applies tension to the load cell; there­fore the known force that you enter into the software or datalog­ger should be a negative value. For example, if the mass is 0.5 kg,
the applied force is -4.9 N.

Example: Bridge with Load Cells

Figure 3: Bridge with load cells

The bridge shown in Figure 3 incorporates six load cells to mea­sure the tension or compression in various members. A hanging
mass is used to apply load. The mass is adjusted so that the com­pression in one of the legs is 1.0 N. Compression is registered as
a positive value and tension as a negative value.

If the screws are loose, the theoretical analysis of the bridge can
be carried out by assuming that the net force at each node is zero.
Thus, the vertical component of compression in the left-most
diagonal member must be 1 N (to oppose the force applied by the
leg). The horizontal component must also be 1 N since the mem­ber is at a 45° angle. The predicted resultant force is:

Figure 4: Calibration fixture

Specifications

Range -5 N to +5 N

Resolution 0.001 N

Dimensions 5.3 cm by 5.8 cm by 2.0 cm

Length of cable 120 cm

The actual measured force confirms the theory.

Combination of Load Cells

The 5 N Load Cell can be used in combination with other 5 N
Load Cells or with 100 N Load Cells (PS-2200).

2

Mass approximately 100 g