MNM Scales 2,500 lb NTEP S-Type Load Cell Guide: 3 mV/V, Wiring & Full Specs
- pete8781
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Need more details, replacement help or wiring assistance? Call MNM Scales at (832) 290-3120 or email mnmscales@yahoo.com.
The MNM Scales 2,500 lb NTEP S-type load cell is a 3 mV/V alloy-steel tension/compression transducer built for scale conversions, hanging and suspended weighing, hopper/tank systems and general industrial force measurement. Its electrical specifications closely match widely used S-beam families, and MNM explicitly identifies Celtron STC, Rice Lake RL20001, Sensortronics 60001 and Coti Global CG-SB as interchangeable product families. That combination of NTEP status, common 350-ohm output bridge and standard four-wire color code makes it particularly useful as a replacement or retrofit load cell in existing weighing systems.
Complete Electrical and Performance Specifications
Rated output is 3.00 ± 0.01 mV/V. Nonlinearity is specified at ±0.02% full scale, hysteresis at ±0.02% full scale and repeatability at ±0.01% full scale. Creep over 30 minutes is ±0.02% full scale, while zero balance is ±1.00% full scale. Temperature effect on zero and on output are both specified at ±0.02% full scale per 10°C. These figures describe a sensor intended for precise industrial weighing rather than merely rough force indication.
Input resistance is 385 ± 15 ohms and output resistance is 350 ± 5 ohms. Insulation resistance is at least 5,000 megohms. Excitation is specified at 10 V DC or AC. The compensated temperature range is -10°C to 50°C, while the operating range is -20°C to 60°C. Safe overload is listed as 120% of full scale. The cable color code is Red = +Input/Excitation, Black = -Input/Excitation, Green = +Output/Signal and White = -Output/Signal.
Cable Length: One Listing Detail Worth Knowing
MNM’s product introduction says the load cell has a 15-foot cable, while the detailed specification table says 20 feet. Because cable length affects routing and sometimes replacement planning, buyers whose installation depends on an exact length should use the phone or email above to confirm the cable supplied with current inventory. The electrical color code is consistent with common RL20001/60001-style four-wire S-beam wiring.
How a 3 mV/V Load Cell Works
A rated output of 3 mV/V means that at full rated load, the bridge produces roughly 3 millivolts of differential signal for every volt of excitation. With 10 V excitation, a nominal full-scale signal is therefore about 30 mV before indicator scaling. A compatible weighing indicator supplies excitation, reads this small signal and converts it into pounds, kilograms or another configured unit. Because replacement sensors must work with the indicator’s input range and calibration, a scale should be recalibrated after changing its load cell.
NTEP and Legal-for-Trade Use
The MNM product is sold as Legal for Trade/NTEP. In commercial weighing, an NTEP-certified load cell is an important component, but the finished scale also includes the indicator, mechanical structure, calibration and local weights-and-measures requirements. Replacing an NTEP load cell with a suitable NTEP component helps preserve the correct foundation for a commercial system; the completed installation still needs to satisfy the requirements that apply to the scale and jurisdiction.
Applications: Explore the Detailed Guides
Replacement and interchange applications — focuses on replacing Celtron STC, Rice Lake RL20001, Sensortronics 60001 and Coti Global CG-SB families, along with recalibration and electrical checks.
Hopper, tank, hanging-scale and scale-conversion applications — explains suspended vessel weighing, batching/filling, mechanical scale conversion and Legal-for-Trade considerations.
Replacement Checklist
Before removing an old sensor, record the existing wire colors and indicator terminal labels, unload the structure completely and photograph the mechanical orientation. After installing the new cell, route cable away from sharp edges and high-current wiring, preserve shielding/grounding practices, verify signal direction and perform a full zero/span calibration with suitable test weights or a traceable calibration method. Do not simply copy the old calibration factor; even two nominal 3 mV/V load cells have output tolerances that require calibration of the finished system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a tension and compression load cell?
Yes. S-type sensors can measure axial tension or compression depending on how they are mounted and calibrated.
What is its output?
MNM specifies 3.00 ± 0.01 mV/V rated output.
What is the standard wiring?
Red +Excitation, Black -Excitation, Green +Signal and White -Signal.
Does a replacement load cell require recalibration?
Yes. Recalibrate the complete weighing system after replacing the transducer.
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