CZL-601 3 kg Aluminum Beam Load Cell - 4-Wire Straight Bar Weight Sensor

Specifications

• Model: CZL-601

• Rated Capacity: 3 kg

• Material: Aluminum Alloy

• Sensor Type: Parallel Beam / Straight Bar

• Wiring Interface: 4-Wire (Red, Black, White, Green)

• Mounting: Pre-tapped threaded holes on both ends

• Output Signal: Analog Millivolt (Requires Amplifier)

Key Applications and Projects

• DIY Smart Kitchen Scales: Building a custom Bluetooth-enabled scale that sends exact recipe measurements to your smartphone.

• Automated Pet Feeders: Monitoring the exact weight of food remaining in a bowl to trigger automatic refills via an Arduino.

• IoT Inventory Tracking: Placing bins on top of these load cells to continuously monitor stock levels of screws, beans, or components in real-time.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• Signal Upgrade: Because load cells output a microscopic analog signal, you must pair this sensor with an HX711 24-bit ADC Amplifier module to convert the data into a clean digital signal your microcontroller can read.

• Accuracy Upgrade: Calibrate the sensor in your software using a known weight (like a 1 kg calibration mass) to achieve laboratory-level precision in your final build.

Package Includes:

• 1 x CZL-601 3 kg Beam Type Load Cell (with integrated 4-wire cable)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. How do I wire this to an HX711 amplifier? The standard wiring is: Red to E+ (Excitation Plus), Black to E- (Excitation Minus), White to A- (Signal Minus), and Green to A+ (Signal Plus).

2. Can I connect this directly to an Arduino analog pin? No, the voltage changes are in the millivolt range and are too small for an Arduino to read accurately. You must use an amplifier like the HX711.

3. Which way should it be mounted? There is a green label on the side with an arrow. The arrow indicates the direction of the applied force (gravity pointing down).

4. How do I physically mount it? You need to bolt one end of the bar firmly to a solid base, and bolt the other end to your weighing platform. The bar must be suspended in the air between these two points to allow it to flex.

5. What happens if I put 5 kg on it? Exceeding the 3 kg rated capacity can permanently bend the aluminum alloy, destroying the sensor's accuracy. Always use mechanical stops if overloading is a risk.

6. What is the white paste in the middle? That is a protective industrial silicone glue. It seals and protects the delicate strain gauges underneath from moisture and physical damage.

7. Do I need to strip the wires? Yes, the tips of the four wires (Red, Black, White, Green) will need to be stripped and soldered to your amplifier board.

8. What size screws does it take? These typically use M4 or M5 metric machine screws in the pre-tapped holes.

9. Can I use it outdoors? While the strain gauges are sealed, the aluminum can corrode over time, and extreme temperature swings will affect the resistance. It is best suited for indoor use.

10. Is the wire shielded? Generally, these basic load cells use standard unshielded multi-core wire. Keep the wire away from high-power AC lines to prevent electrical noise.

11. Can it measure tension (pulling force)? Yes, beam load cells can measure both compression and tension, but the typical scale application uses compression (pushing down).

12. Why is my scale reading drifting? Drifting can be caused by temperature changes, loose mounting screws, or a noisy power supply to the HX711. Ensure your physical mounts are rock solid.

13. What material is it made of? The main bar is made of a lightweight, highly responsive aluminum alloy.

14. How long is the cable? The included cable is typically around 20 cm to 25 cm long.

15. Can I cut the cable shorter? Yes, but changing the wire length slightly alters the resistance. You will need to re-calibrate the scale in software after cutting the wire.

16. What is a "Wheatstone Bridge"? It is the electrical circuit formed by the four strain gauges inside the load cell, allowing it to detect microscopic changes in resistance.

17. Can I use four of these to build a bathroom scale? No, beam load cells are used individually. Bathroom scales use "half-bridge" 3-wire sensors placed in all four corners.

18. Does it measure in grams or ounces? The sensor outputs a raw voltage. Your code on the Arduino does the math to convert that voltage into whatever unit you prefer (grams, ounces, pounds).

19. How accurate is it? When properly mounted and calibrated with an HX711, it can easily achieve an accuracy of 1 gram or better.

20. Is the sensor fragile? The aluminum block is tough, but dropping it or twisting it aggressively can break the internal strain gauges. Handle with care during assembly.