DSC | Digital Load Cell Converter

Strain gauge to RS485 or CAN digital load cell converter
Auto calibration or direct entry of mV/V with linearisation
Ultra high performance, resolution of 1 part in 200,000 (18bit)
OEM PCB Formats Available
High Speed up to 500 updates per second

The digital load cell converter module is designed for use with strain gauge sensors such as pressure transducers, load cells and torque sensors, the DSC offers high speed, high precision strain gauge signal conversion capabilities with linearization and temperature compensation of the sensor .

The DSC, digital load cell converter output formats include RS232, RS485, CAN, ASCII, Modbus, MantraCAN (J1939).

For mounting internal to the sensor, the same electronics is also available in a compact miniature format - see DCell.

The digital load cell converter has the option of being housed in a convenient IP65 enclosure, or for multiple load cell installations, refer to models DSJ1 display & junction box for a single digital load cell for 1 channel, and DSJ4 for 4 channel.

Try our ready to go Evaluation Kit which includes one free DSC or DCell. First select the DSC you require and ask for the appropriate Evaluation Kit as an accessory item. Also see our Video section above on 'Getting Started with the Evaluation Kit'.

DSCH High Stability
Description	Min	Typical	Max	Units
Bridge Excitation	4.5	5	5.25	dc
Sensor Impedance up to 18v Supply	320	350	5,000	ohms**
Sensor Impedance up to 12v Supply	120	350	5,000	ohms**
Bridge Sensitivity	-3		+3	mV/V
Offset Temperature Stability		1	4	ppm/ºC
Gain Temperature Stability		3	5	ppm/ºC
Offset Stability with Time		0.002	0.008	%FR
Gain Stability with Time			30	ppm of FR/1st Year
Non Linearity		0.0005	0.0025	%FR
Internal Resolution 16 Million		16 Million		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 1Hz (Noise Stable) *		200,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 10Hz (Noise Stable) *		120,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 100Hz (Noise Stable) *		50,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 500Hz (Noise Stable) *		18,000		Counts/Divisions
Optional Temperature Measurement Resolution		0.1		ºC
Optional Temperature Measurement Accuracy		1		ºC
Notes: From original offset at any time. Stability over 100 second period. *Subject to supply voltage. See Electrical Specification
Electrical
Power Supply Voltage	5.6	12	18	V dc
Power Supply Noise/Ripple			100	mV ac pk-pk
Power Supply Current (350R Bridge)		45	60	mA
Power @ 10V Supply (350R Bridge)		350		mW
Sensor Impedance up to 18v Supply	320	350	5,000	ohms
Sensor Impedance up to 12v Supply	120	350	5,000	ohms
Excitation System 4 wire		4 wire
Environmental
Operating Temperature Range	-40		85	°C
Operating Temperature Range for OIML 6000d	-10		55	°C
Storage Temperature	-40		85	°C
Humidity	0		95	%RH on Condensing
Communications
RS485 Data Rate	2,400		230k	Baud
CAN Bit Rate	10k		1M	Bits/Sec
Note: Update speeds are selectable to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 60, 100, 200, 300, 500 Samples/Sec
Protocols
Available Now: ASCII, MANTRABUS II, Modbus RTU, MantraCAN - Contact Mantracourt for details. Please Note: MantraCAN products will only work with Mantracourt software up to and including Windows Vista.
DSCS Industrial Stability
Product	Min	Typical	Max	Units
Bridge Excitation	4.5	5	5.25	dc
Bridge Impedance	320	350	5,000	ohms
Sensor Impedance up to 18v Supply	320	350	5,000	ohms**
Sensor Impedance up to 12v Supply	120	350	5,000	ohms**
Bridge Sensitivity	-3		+3	mV/V
Offset Temperature Stability		5	10	ppm/ºC
Gain Temperature Stability		30	50	ppm/ºC
Offset Stability with Time		0.0035	0.016	%FR
Gain Stability with Time			300	ppm of FR /1st Year
Non Linearity		0.0005	0.0025	% FR
Internal Resolution		16 Million		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 1Hz (Noise Stable) *		66,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 10Hz (Noise Stable) *		40,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 100Hz (Noise Stable) *		10,000		Counts/Divisions
Resolution @ 500Hz (Noise Stable) *		5,000		Counts/Divisions
Optional Temperature Measurement Resolution		0.1		°C
Optional Temperature Measurement Accuracy		1		°C
Notes: From original offset at any time. Stability over 100 second period. *Subject to supply voltage. See Electrical Specification
Electrical
Power Supply Voltage	5.6	12	18	V dc
Power Supply Noise/Ripple			100	mV ac pk-pk
Power Supply Current (350R Bridge)		45	60	mA
Power @ 10V Supply (350R Bridge)		350		mW
Sensor Impedance up to 18v Supply	320	350	5,000	ohms
Sensor Impedance up to 12v Supply	120	350	5,000	ohms
Excitation System		4 wire
Environmental
Operating temperature range	-40		85	°C
Storage temperature	-40		85	°C
Humidity	0		95	%RH Non Condensing
Communications
RS485 Data Rate	2,400		230k	Baud
CAN Bit Rate	10k		1M	Bits/Sec
Note: Update speeds are selectable to 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 60, 100, 200, 300, 500 Samples/Sec
Protocols
Available Now: ASCII, MANTRABUS II, Modbus RTU, MantraCAN. Please Note: MantraCAN products will only work with Mantracourt software up to and including Windows Vista.
The Benefits to the Transducer User/System Supplier
Mantracourt has identified the following points which demonstrate how strain gauge transducers users will benefit. 1. Plug-in-and-go-sensor No need for a separate instrument, DSC provides a direct output in engineering units from a standard Strain Gauge, - save cost and space. 2. Simple to use The Strain Gauge manufacturer can supply the sensor pre-calibrated for system offset, gain, hysteresis and scale parameters. 3. Outstanding performance to cost ratio 19 bit (500,000 divisions) and 0.001% noise immunity ideal for high precision process weighing applications such as batching, at a fraction of the cost of many instrument solutions 4. Low cost of Strain Gauge ownership Use with low cost 2 pair twisted cabling - reduce set-up costs. • Digital storage of calibration details, means the system will not need regular re-calibration - save maintenance costs. • In-service replacement of a faulty/damaged Strain Gauge is possible by simply down loading the stored calibration details to a new cell. Save maintenance time and cost by not having to empty a vessel and re-apply test weights. 5. Universal systems compatibility Fieldbus connectivity ensures interoperability with existing/future process control equipment 6. Non-expert maintenance Self diagnostics alerts user to common Strain Gauge faults such as over-range.
Support Modules
Instrument Explorer Software free PC software, RS232 - RS485 Convertor, DCell Evaluation Kits
Environmental
CE Environmental Approvals	European EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC

Documents

DSC Produt Sheet
Eval-Kit Manual All you need to evaluate the DCell and DSC at your PC!
DCell and DSC Manual DCell and DSC Manual - Digital Load Cell Converters
DCell and DSC MantraCAN Manual

Software

Instrument Eeplorer : Version 2 build 2.0a This software allows the user to quickly set up and start to use the digitisers and indicators that Mantracourt offers. Capabilities include event monitoring and data logging, as well as calibration and configuration.
Driver DLL MantrabBus2 : Version 1.5 MantraBus2Drv.DLL is a standard Windows DLL that can be used to help your own Windows PC applications communicate with any Mantracourt instrument that communicates using the MantraBus2 Protocol. Instruments that use this include: DSC, and DCell
Driver DLL MantraASCII2 : Version 1.3 MantraASCII2Drv.DLL is a standard Windows DLL that can be used to help your own Windows PC applications communicate with any Mantracourt instrument that communicates using the MantraASCII2 Protocol.
DSC 24 Channel Logging : Version 1.2.0 View and log data from up to 24 DSC, DLC or DSCUSB modules.

Q: You offer two versions – industrial stability and high stability - of the DSC and DCell, what is the difference?

A: The Industrial Version offers 25ppm basic accuracy (equates to 16 bit resolution). The High Stability version offers 5ppm basic accuracy (equates to 18 bit resolution) with comparable stability which far exceeds standard instrument performance.

Q: Are the DSC devices low-power?

A: Yes, low-voltage DC supply (5.6V min), typically 40mA for RS485 &.52mA for RS232 (including 350R strain gauge).

Q: How about multiple output options?

A: We offer a choice of two communications standards: RS232 (DSC only) or RS485, with a choice of three different protocols: ASCII, MODBUS or MANTRABUS, for ease of integration. All variants provide identical features and performance.

Q: Is there adjustable sensitivity?

A: Yes, the DSC devices can be configured for standard 2.5mV/V full-scale strain gauges as supplied. A single additional resistor configures the input between 0.5 and 100 mV/V full-scale.

Q: Do you offer linearity compensation?

A: Yes, advanced 7-point linearity compensation.

Q: Is there options for serial output and how many devices can be used on a bus?

A: Yes the DSC products offer lower-cost cabling, improved noise immunity, and longer cable runs with no accuracy penalty. Device addressing allows up to 253 devices on a single bus, drastically reducing cabling cost and complexity. Two-way communications allow in-situ re-calibration, multiple outputs and diagnostics. No separate measuring instruments needed.

Q:How do you calibrate the DSC?

A: We offer digital calibration which is completely drift-free, adjustable in-system and/or in-situ via standard communications link. Two independent calibration stages for load cell-and-system-specific adjustments. Programmable compensation for non-linearity and temperature corrections. Calibration data is also transferable between devices for in-service replacement.

Q: Are there self-diagnostics?

A: Yes, the DSC devices offer continuous monitoring for faults such as strain overload, over/under-temperature, broken sensors or unexpected power failure. All fault warnings are retained on power-fail.

Q:What is the mean time between failure (MTBF) rate of the DCell and DSC?

A: 230,000 working hours. Download MTBF calculated hours here.