What is the difference between Rated Capacity Load, Maximum Load, and Safe Load Limit?

What is the difference between Rated Capacity Load, Maximum Load, and Safe Load Limit?

The rated capacity is the maximum recommended load for a particular load cell. All load cells have a range of loads where the output signal is proportional to the load; that is the deformation of the strain gauge caused by the load produces an output signal having an approximately linear relationship to the strain. By keeping the rated capacity in this range, the strain gauge produces outputs within the errors printed on the accompanying load cell data sheet.

The maximum load is equal to or typically within 10% of rated capacity; it is simply a maximum recommended load for a particular load cell application, taking into account any environmental or other factors that may require a margin between maximum load and rated capacity.

The safe load limit (or safe overload) corresponds to the load at which the strain gauge will undergo permanent deformation (that is, it is the load where the elastic limit of the strain gauge material will be exceeded). The safe load limit is often in the range of 300% rated capacity. Knowing the safe load limit is important, particularly for outdoor applications, since forces other than the measured loads can act upon the load cells.