MNM Four 500 lb Alloy-Steel NTEP Shear Beam Kit Guide
- pete8781
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
MNM Scales: (832) 290-3120 | mnmscales@yahoo.com — Contact MNM for dimensions, approval details, availability and help choosing the correct indicator/junction box.
MNM Four 500 lb Alloy-Steel NTEP Shear Beam Kit Guide
The MNM-listed four 500 lb alloy-steel shear-beam kit is a compact four-sensor package for building or repairing platform, bench, pallet, parts-counting and small process scales. The current listing includes four 500 lb shear-beam load cells, four 1/2-20 feet and four spacers. MNM describes the cells as small-envelope, heavy-duty, low-profile and thru-hole threaded, with 15 ft / 5 m PVC cable. NTEP wording appears in the product title. The listing also publishes electrical and performance data, making this kit easier to match and troubleshoot than a generic unmarked load cell set.
Published electrical and performance specifications
Rated output is listed as 3.0 ±0.25 mV/V. Nonlinearity is ±0.03% full scale, hysteresis ±0.03% FS, non-repeatability ±0.02% FS and 30-minute creep ±0.02% FS. Input impedance is 385 ±20 ohms and output impedance 350 ±3 ohms. Recommended excitation is 10–15 V AC/DC with 15 V DC listed as maximum. Safe overload is 150% FS and ultimate overload 300% FS. MNM lists the compensated temperature range as -10 to +40°C. The page’s operating-temperature line contains a typo, so this guide does not reinterpret it. Wiring is red excitation positive, black excitation negative, green signal positive and white signal negative.
Capacity planning: four 500 lb cells do not automatically equal a 2,000 lb finished scale
Four 500 lb cells provide 2,000 lb of combined sensor nameplate capacity. Finished platform capacity must also account for the platform/frame dead weight, concentrated corner loads, impact, off-center loads, structural flex and a realistic safety margin. A 300 lb deck permanently consumes part of the sensor range. If loads can be dropped or rolled onto one corner, the instantaneous force on one cell can be much higher than one-quarter of the total load. Rate the completed scale from the mechanical design, not just cell arithmetic.
Wiring, junction box and indicator
A typical four-cell scale sums all four sensors in a junction box before sending one combined signal to the indicator. Match excitation and signal polarity carefully and preserve cable shielding/grounding as designed. Use a junction box compatible with four 350-ohm-class cells and an indicator that can supply the required excitation. After wiring, test each corner before final calibration. If one corner is very different, verify that cell’s mounting, cable and polarity before trimming.
Best applications
Good search-intent matches include DIY bench scale load cells, compact floor scale kit, parts-counting platform, small pallet scale, ingredient platform, shipping scale frame, small hopper load cells and four-load-cell platform conversion. Alloy steel is a practical choice for many dry industrial environments. If the system will see regular moisture, washdown chemicals or corrosive exposure, compare it with MNM’s stainless four-cell kits rather than assuming the alloy cells have the same environmental suitability.
FAQ
How many cells are included? Four. What capacity is each cell? 500 lb. Are feet and spacers included? MNM lists four 1/2-20 feet and four spacers. What is the output? 3.0 ±0.25 mV/V. What are the wiring colors? Red +Exc, black -Exc, green +Sig, white -Sig. Can four cells make a 2,000 lb scale? They total 2,000 lb of cell nameplate capacity, but the completed scale must account for dead load and uneven/dynamic loading. Do I need a junction box? Most four-cell platform systems use one for summing and corner trim. Do I calibrate before or after corner trim? Corner balance first, then zero/span the complete system.
Where to buy
Buy the four-cell 500 lb alloy-steel kit from MNM Scales at the exact listing below. The listing says photos may be representative, so verify the physical capacity label and dimensions if replacing an existing scale.
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