The Thames Side T66 is a cantilever beam load cell for harsh industrial environments with capacities from 5 kg to 500 kg. It is a fully welded stainless steel bending beam load cell, hermetically sealed to IP68 / IP69K, and is designed for use in demanding industrial applications including weighing platforms, bag fillers, belt weighers, and tank weighing in the Food Processing, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and general Bulk Handling industries.

What Is It

The T66 is a stainless steel cantilever beam load cell manufactured by Thames Side Sensors Ltd. It is intended for industrial weight and force measurement applications where durability, sealing, and long-term reliability are critical. The datasheet describes it as a fully welded stainless steel bending beam load cell with high integrity cable entry and high durability polyurethane cable. It is offered in OIML C3 and optional OIML C6 approved versions.

Working Principle

The T66 works as a strain gauge-based bending beam load cell. When force is applied to the beam, the metal element deforms slightly, changing the resistance of the internal strain gauges and generating an electrical output proportional to the applied load. The catalogue lists a rated output (Sn) of 2 mV/V ± 0.1%, with a note that for the 5 kg to 20 kg capacity range, the rated output tolerance is ± 0.2%.

Types/Variants

The catalogue shows the following T66 variants and options:

• Capacities: 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500 kg
• Accuracy classes / approvals:
  • 3000 divisions OIML R60 Class C
  • Option: 6000 divisions OIML R60 Class C
• Cable configuration:
  • 6 wire cable with sense wires supplied as standard
  • 4 wire option available according to order
  • On the technical page, the 4-wire connection is available on request for C3 only
• ATEX version available for all Gas and Dust zones
• Optional Parylene coating for aggressive environments where stress corrosion or acid attack is an issue
• High temperature variants for continuous operation up to 150˚C
• 5 year warranty

Key Specifications

Below is the complete visible specification content from the datasheet:

Model: T66
Product type: Cantilever beam load cell / bending beam load cell
Capacities: 5 kg to 500 kg
Construction: Stainless steel
Sealing: Hermetically sealed, fully welded construction
Environmental protection: IP68 / IP69K
Cable: High durability polyurethane cable
Cable entry: High integrity cable entry
Standard cable arrangement: 6 wire cable with sense wires
Optional cable arrangement: 4 wire option according to order / on request for C3 only
Warranty: 5 years

Technical Specification Table

Accuracy Class:

• 3000 divisions (See Note 1)
• 6000 n. OIML

Load Cell Capacity (Emax):

• 3000 class: 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500 kg
• 6000 class: 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 kg

Rated Output (Sn):

• 2 mV/V ± 0.1%
• Note: for 5–20 kg capacity range, rated output tolerance is ± 0.2%

Combined Error:

• 3000 class: < ± 0.017 % Sn
• 6000 class: < ± 0.008 % Sn

Non-repeatability:

• 3000 class: < ± 0.015 % Sn
• 6000 class: < ± 0.01 % Sn

Minimum load cell verification interval (vmin) = Emax / Y:

• 3000 class: Emax / 10000
• 6000 class: Emax / 18000
• Unit: kg

Creep (30 minutes):

• 3000 class: < ± 0.016 % Sn
• 6000 class: < ± 0.008 % Sn

Temperature Effect on Zero Balance:

• 3000 class: < ± 0.002 % Sn / ˚C
• 6000 class: < ± 0.001 % Sn / ˚C

Temperature Effect on Span:

• 3000 class: < ± 0.0012 % Sn / ˚C
• 6000 class: < ± 0.0006 % Sn / ˚C

Compensated Temperature Range:

• -10 to +40 ˚C

Operating Temperature Range:

• -30 to +70 ˚C

Safe Overload:

• 200 % Emax

Ultimate Overload:

• 300 % Emax

Zero Balance:

• < ± 2 % Sn

Input Resistance:

• 400 Ω ± 20

Output Resistance:

• 350 Ω ± 3

Insulation Resistance:

• > 5000 MΩ @ 100V

Recommended Supply Voltage:

• 5–15 V

Maximum Supply Voltage:

• 15 V

Maximum deflection at Emax:

• 0.2–0.4 mm

Cable Length:

• 3 m

Cable Material:

• Polyurethane

Nominal Shipping Weight:

• 0.5 kg

Note 1:

• OIML C3 (3000 division) approval from 10–250 kg

Dimensions

The catalogue states all dimensions are in mm. The visible dimension values shown in the drawing are:

• Total length: 120 mm
• Intermediate length markings: 10 mm, 82 mm, 18 mm, 10 mm
• Side-view length markings: 24.5 mm, 53.5 mm, 42 mm
• Hole diameter: 8.2 Ø
• Hole diameter: 8.2 Ø
• Vertical dimension: 20 mm
• Outer circular dimensions shown: 30 Ø, 23.5 Ø, 41.5 Ø, 28 Ø

Electrical Connections

The datasheet gives the following wiring details:

General Cable Information

• Via 6 wire, 5.7 mm diameter, screened polyurethane cable
• C3 version is available with 4 wire cable on request
• Screen not connected electrically to load cell

4 Wire Connection (C3 only) – on request

• +ve input: RED
• +ve output: GREEN
• -ve input: BLUE
• -ve output: YELLOW

6 Wire Connection (C3 or C6)

• +ve input: RED
• +ve output: GREEN
• -ve input: BLUE
• -ve output: YELLOW
• -ve sense: WHITE
• +ve sense: BLACK

Construction

• Load cell manufactured from stainless steel
• Hermetically sealed, fully welded construction

Mounting Options

The catalogue lists these mounting options:

• Stainless steel baseplate
• Anti-Vibration assembly LA66
• LeverMount® Lite mounting accessory
• Tension Accessory LA66-TENSION

ATEX Certification

The catalogue provides the following ATEX details for the Model T66:

Code

• II 1 GD
• Ex ia II C T4 to T6 Ga
• Ex ia IIIC T135˚C to T85˚C Da
• Ex ta IIIC T85˚C Da

Temperature Class / Parameters / Application

• T4 — Pi = 2.50 W — Gas Zones 0, 1, 2 with safety barriers; Dust Zones 20, 21, 22 without safety barriers
• T5 — Pi = 2.50 W
• T6 — Pi = 1.69 W

The first page also states that T66 load cells are available with ATEX certification for all Gas and Dust zones, and specifically mentions that ATEX certification for Dust zones 20, 21 and 22 does not require safety barriers, saving substantial cost.

Applications

The catalogue explicitly lists the following applications and industries:

Applications

• Weighing platforms
• Bag fillers
• Belt weighers
• Tank weighing

Industries

• Food Processing
• Chemical
• Pharmaceutical
• General Bulk Handling industries

Selection Guide

Choose the T66 based on the catalogue-backed selection points below:

• Select the correct load capacity from 5 kg to 500 kg depending on system load requirement.
• Use the C3 version for standard OIML applications and the C6 option where higher divisions are required.
• Choose the 6-wire version as standard, or request 4-wire for C3 only where your system requires it.
• For wet, washdown, or harsh environments, the IP68 / IP69K hermetically sealed stainless steel construction is a key advantage.
• For corrosive environments with possible stress corrosion or acid attack, specify the optional Parylene coating.
• For hazardous areas, choose the ATEX-certified version.
• For elevated thermal conditions, choose the high temperature variant for continuous operation up to 150˚C.

Common Mistakes

These are practical mistakes to avoid based on the catalogue characteristics:

• Selecting the wrong capacity range for the actual load
• Using a non-ATEX version where hazardous area approval is required
• Ignoring the 4-wire / 6-wire wiring difference during installation
• Ignoring the note that the screen is not connected electrically to the load cell
• Using the standard version in aggressive chemical conditions without considering optional Parylene coating
• Exceeding safe overload (200 % Emax) or ultimate overload (300 % Emax)

Troubleshooting

No signal or unstable readings

• Check the input, output, and sense wire connections against the colour code.
• Verify that the correct excitation voltage is used within the 5–15 V recommended range.

Wrong readings

• Confirm whether the installed unit is a C3 or C6 version.
• Check whether the selected load cell capacity matches the actual load range.

Environment-related problems

• In harsh washdown or outdoor conditions, confirm sealing integrity and correct installation.
• In corrosive or acid-attack applications, use the optional Parylene coating version.

High-temperature installation issue

• Use the high temperature variant for continuous operation in environments up to 150˚C.

FAQs

1. What is the load range of the Thames Side T66?
The T66 is available in capacities from 5 kg to 500 kg.

2. Is the T66 stainless steel?
Yes. The catalogue states that the load cell is manufactured from stainless steel.

3. What protection class does it have?
It is IP68 / IP69K rated.

4. Is a 4-wire version available?
Yes. A 4-wire connection is available on request for the C3 version.

5. Does it support ATEX applications?
Yes. The T66 is available with ATEX certification for Gas and Dust zones.

6. Is there a high-temperature version?
Yes. High-temperature variants are available for continuous operation up to 150˚C.

7. What mounting accessories are available?
The catalogue lists stainless steel baseplate, Anti-Vibration assembly LA66, LeverMount® Lite mounting accessory, and Tension Accessory LA66-TENSION.

8. What is the warranty?
The catalogue states a 5 year warranty.

Related Products/Internal Links

• Load Cell Controllers
• Weighing Indicators
• Junction Boxes
• Load Cell Mounting Accessories
• Platform Weighing Systems
• Tank Weighing Systems
• Anti-Vibration Load Cell Assemblies
• Tension Mount Accessories