Here’s something you won’t hear from every load cell manufacturer: Load cells have rules. Not guidelines, but actual safety standards that apply to how they’re made, used and maintained.
These standards are key to keeping things running smoothly, teams safe and measurements accurate.
In this article, we’ll explain what load cell safety standards are, how they apply across industries and why they’re more important than you think.
If you work in industrial weighing or compliance, this is for you.
What Are Load Cell Safety Standards?
Load cell safety standards are established guidelines that define how load cells should perform and how they should be used safely. These standards are developed by organizations like ISO, ASTM, IEC and NTEP to ensure accuracy, longevity and safety across a wide range of applications.
They cover everything from calibration requirements to overload protection, from environmental tolerances to what’s required in explosive or hazardous areas.
In short, load cell specifications and safety standards are here to make sure load cells do their job and keep everyone safe while they’re at it.
Why Do These Standards Matter?
Because real consequences exist when safety is ignored.
An improperly calibrated load cell can throw off your data. An incorrectly mounted one can damage equipment or even injure workers.
Standards help you avoid all that. They give you the confidence that your system is built to perform accurately, consistently and safely over time.
What Is the Safety Factor of a Load Cell?
Safe overload is the maximum force a load cell can experience without affecting its long term accuracy or function.
For example, a load cell might have:
- Safe overload capacity of 150% (can handle 1.5x the rated load temporarily)
- Ultimate overload capacity of 200% (risk of permanent damage if exceeded)
These numbers aren’t a suggestion, they’re part of the system design. Knowing your application’s loading patterns and load limits (steady vs shock loads, for instance) helps determine if you need a higher safety margin.
If you exceed this, even once, you risk throwing off your calibration or damaging the internal structure.
And unlike visible damage, this kind of error might not be immediately obvious, which makes it even riskier in the field.
What Are the Precautions for Load Cell Use?
You don’t need to be an engineer to follow basic best practices. Here are a few load cell precautions that can make a big difference:
- Always install on a level, rigid surface
- Avoid side loading or uneven force
- Use the right hardware and torque settings
- Protect cables and connectors from moisture or strain
- Stay within the recommended temperature and vibration limits
- Recalibrate your system regularly (at least once a year)
These are simple but powerful. They stop most problems before they start.
Are Load Cells Intrinsically Safe?
Some are. But it’s important to know the difference.
“Intrinsically safe” refers to equipment that’s designed to be used in explosive or hazardous environments.
These load cells are engineered to limit energy and prevent sparks, which makes them essential for industries like oil and gas, chemical processing and grain handling.
Regular load cells aren’t built with these protections in mind. So if your application involves flammable materials or high-risk zones you’ll want to double-check that your equipment meets the right standards.
What Are the Requirements for Intrinsically Safe Load Cells?
To be considered intrinsically safe, load cells must meet specific certification requirements including:
- IEC 60079 (international standard for explosive atmospheres)
- ATEX or IECEx certification (Europe and international use)
- FM Approved – Verifies equipment is safe for use in hazardous (classified) locations, commonly required in North America
- CSA Approved – Canadian certification that ensures electrical and electronic equipment meets applicable safety standards
- System-level safety—meaning it’s not just about the load cell but how it’s wired, installed and integrated
These requirements aren’t optional in regulated environments. They’re mandatory. So always check that your supplier understands and meets these requirements.
What’s the Difference Between Intrinsically Safe and Non-Intrinsically Safe Load Cells?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Feature | Intrinsically Safe | Non-Intrinsically Safe |
| Use Case | Hazardous/explosive environments | General industrial use |
| Design | Limits energy/sparks | Standard construction |
| Requires Barriers? | Yes if the indicator is in the safe area. | No |
| Certification | IECEx, ATEX, CSA, FM | No |
| Applications | Oil & gas, chemicals, grain | Batching, mining, OEM |
If you’re not sure what you need, ask a specialist. A certified supplier (like us) can guide you through the best option for your setup.
Load Cell Standards You Should Know
Here’s a quick list of some of the most important standards in the load cell world:
- ISO 376 – International Organization for Standardization: Reference force transducers (master calibration sensors)
- ASTM E4 and ISO 7500-1 – American Society for Testing and Materials: StandardizationCalibration standards for materials testing
- IEC 60079 – International Electrotechnical Commission: Equipment in explosive atmospheres
- FM – Factory Mutual Global: Certifies that equipment meets rigorous loss prevention and safety standards, especially for hazardous locations.
- CSA – Canadian Standards Association: Verifies that equipment meets Canadian safety and performance standards, particularly for electrical components.
- ATEX / IECEx – Atmosphères Explosibles (European Directive)/International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres: Certification for hazardous locations
- NTEP / Handbook 44 – National Type Evaluation Program / National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44: trade-legal standards
Now you know what those acronyms mean.
The Massload Approach to Safety
At Massload, we don’t just build load cells. We build trust.
Our team works with clients across industries to ensure every solution meets the right safety, calibration and performance standards, especially in high-reliability applications.
And since our products are locally-made, we stand behind their safety, durability and performance in the field.
Need something off the shelf or fully customized? We can help you weigh safely and accurately.
Contact us if you have questions or if you’re working on a high-risk application and need a partner who knows the standards and the solutions.
