® Instruction Sheet

012-11989A

*012-11989*

PASCO Structures System

Load Cell, 5 N (NI)

PS-2201-NI

When connected to a National Instruments NI-9237 Analog Input

Module, the Load Cell can measure compression and tension
forces in any component of the PASCO Structures System. The
5 N Load Cell can also be used to find acceleration if you mea-
sure the force and divide by the mass of the beam.

About the Load Cell

The PS-2201 Load Cell measures forces ranging from -5 N to
+5 N and is wired with a RJ-50 connector for plugging into the
National Instruments NI-9237 Analog Input Module.

To find the mass of the beam, zero the load cell while it is in the
5 N Load Cell vertical direction, and then invert it. Convert the measured
weight of the beam to its mass by dividing by 9.8 N/kg.
RJ-50 Plug

To find the mass of

Recommended Equipment the Load Cell beam,
zero the Load Cell
• National Instruments NI-9237 Analog Input Module* while it is in the
vertical direction, and
*See www.ni.com for more information
then invert it.

Related Equipment
• NI Structures System (ME-7006)
• NI Driven Structures System (ME-7007) Figure 1: The 5N Load Cell has a semi-transparent case

• Physics Structures Set (ME-6989) The National Instruments NI-9237 Analog Input Module has four
RJ-50 receptacles and an external excitation voltage source. Each
• Truss Set (ME-6990)
channel on the NI-9237 has an independent 24-bit analog-to-dig-
• Bridge Set (ME-6991) ital converter (ADC) and an input amplifier that enables you to
sample signals from all four channels simultaneously (see Figure
• Advanced Structures Set (ME-6992A)
2).
See www.pasco.com for details about PASCO Structures System parts
and sets.

Introduction
The Load Cell, 5 N (NI) for National Instruments (NI) is
designed to work with the PASCO Structures System. For exam-
ple, the PASCO Structures System includes the ME-6990 Truss
Set, ME-6991 Bridge Set, and the ME-6992A Advanced Struc-
tures Set.

800-772-8700 www.pasco.com
L o a d C e l l, 5 N ( N I ) PS-2201-NI

Example: Bridge with Load Cells

Load
Cells

RJ-50
Receptacles

Figure 2: National Instruments NI-9237

Analog Input Module SF-9324 Mechanical
Wave Driver

Adding Load Cells Figure 4: Bridge with load cells

To measure the compression and tension forces in individual

The bridge shown in Figure 4 incorporates two load cells to mea-
members, add load cells to any PASCO Structure. Replace a
sure the tension or compression in various members amd a third
beam with two shorter beams and a load cell.
load cell to measure the shaking force provided by a mechanical
wave driver. Hanging masses are used to apply load. The
#5 beam = load cell + two #3 beams
mechanical wave driver shakes the bridge structure at a con-
trolled frequency.
#4 beam = load cell + two #2 beams

#3 beam = load cell + two #1 beams 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-NI).

Calibration of Load Cells

Load cells are factory calibrated; however, you can recalibrate
them in software or on a 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
Figure 3: A load cell combined with two #2 beams is the same length cell. Hold or clamp the fixture at the edge of a table and hang a
as a #4 beam mass from it as shown.
Use thumbscrews to attach two beams to a load cell as shown in
Note that the hanging mass applies tension to the load cell; there-
Figure 3.
fore the known force that you enter into the software or datalog-
ger should be a negative value. For example, if the mass is 0.5 kg,
When using load cells, assemble your structure with the screws
the applied force is -4.9 N.
loose. This will simplify the analysis by ensuring that the mem-
bers experience only tension and compression without moments.

Plug the RJ-50 connector at the end of the load cell cable into a
port on the NI-9237 Analog Input Module. See the instructions
that came with the Analog Input Module for details about how to
connect the load cell.

For more information about National Instruments hardware and

graphical programming environment, see the web site:

www.ni.com

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L o a d C e l l, 5 N ( N I ) PS-2201-NI

The NI Driven Structures Set (ME-7007) consists of:

• ME-6987 Flat Beams (1 set)

• ME-6993 Truss Set Members (8 sets)

• ME-6994 Truss Set Screws (14 sets)

Half Round • ME-6996 Cord Lock Spares (2 sets)
Connector
• ME-6997 Round Connectors (2 sets)

• ME-6999A Angle Connectors (2 sets)

• ME-7002 Connector Spares (4 sets)

• ME-6988 Force Platform Bracket (4)

• ME-7589 Short Slotted Mass Set (4 sets)

• ME-7590 Short Slotted Mass Hanger (6)

• SE-9750 Long Patch Cords (set of 5)

• PI-2212 Instrument Amplifier (1)

• PS-2200-NI 100 N Load Cell (1)

• PS-2201-NI 5 N Load Cell (10)

Figure 5: Calibration fixture

• SF-9324 Mechanical Wave Driver (1)

Other
The NI Structures Set (ME-7006) consists of the following:

• ME-6987 Flat Beams (1 set)

• ME-6993 Truss Set Members (3 sets)

• ME-6994 Truss Set Screws (5 sets)

• ME-6996 Cord Lock Spares (1 set)

• ME-6997 Round Connectors (1 set)

• ME-7002 Connector Spares (2 sets)

• ME-6988 Force Platform Bracket (2)

• ME-7589 Short Slotted Mass Set (4 sets)

• ME-7590 Short Slotted Mass Hanger (6)

• PS-2201-NI 5 N Load Cell (4)

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L o a d C e l l, 5 N ( N I ) PS-2201-NI

Specifications Limited Warranty For a description of the product warranty, see the
PASCO catalog. Copyright The PASCO scientific 012-11989A Load
Cell, 5 N (NI) Instruction Sheet is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Per-
Range -5 N to +5 N mission is granted to non-profit educational institutions for reproduction of
any part of this manual, providing the reproductions are used only in their
Resolution 0.001 N laboratories and classrooms, and are not sold for profit. Reproduction
under any other circumstances, without the written consent of PASCO sci-
Dimensions 5.3 cm by 5.8 cm by 2.0 cm
entific, is prohibited. Trademarks PASCO and PASCO scientific are
trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO scientific, in the United
Length of cable 120 cm (1.2 m)
States and/or in other countries. All other brands, products, or service
Mass approximately 100 g (0.1 kg) names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to
identify, products or services of, their respective owners. For more infor-
mation visit www.pasco.com/legal.
Pinouts
Patents Pending The following PASCO products have patents pending:

Pin 10 Pin 1 Pin Wire Color ME-6985 Flexible I-Beams Set0

1 NC (not connected)
ME-6987 Flat Beams Set
2 Black
3 Red ME-6989 Physics Structures Set
4 NC
5 NC ME-6990 Truss Set
6 Brown ME-6991 Bridge Set
7 Orange
8 NC ME-6992A Advanced Structures Set
9 NC
ME-6995 Road Bed Spares
Front view 10 Shield
ME-7009 Cast Beam Structures Set
Pin 10
Product End of Life Disposal Instructions: This electronic product is
Top subject to disposal and recycling regulations that vary by country and
view region. It is your responsibility to recycle your electronic equipment per
your local environmental laws and regulations to ensure that it will be recy-
Pin 1 cled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. To find
out where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please
contact your local waste recycle/disposal service, or the place where you
purchased the product. The European Union WEEE (Waste Electronic
and Electrical Equipment) symbol (below) and on the product or its pack-
Technical Support aging indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard
For assistance with any PASCO product, contact PASCO at: waste container.

Address: PASCO scientific

10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100
Phone: 916-786-3800 (worldwide)
800-772-8700 (U.S.)
Fax: (916) 786-7565
Web: www.pasco.com
Email: support@pasco.com

For the latest revision of this Instruction Sheet, visit:

www.pasco.com/go?PS-2201-NI

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