Shear Beam Load Cell: How to Choose Capacity, Material and NTEP
Shop our top shear beam load cell: the MNM Scales GX-1, 5,000 lb alloy steel, NTEP, for $89.00, in stock.
Short answer: a shear beam load cell is the cell you usually put at each corner of a floor, platform or tank scale. Four cells share the load and a load cell junction box sums their signals. For most 5,000 lb corners we start with the MNM Scales GX-1: a 5,000 lb alloy-steel, single-ended shear beam, NTEP under Certificate of Conformance 11-069A1. The GX-1-1K covers 1,000 lb corners at the same $89.00 sale price, the GX-1-SSH-1K and GX-1-SH-5K are the stainless washdown NTEP picks, and the GX-1-10K-LE is the 10,000 lb large-envelope cell. All five models below are in stock.
From $89.00 on the MNM Scales GX-1 (#5665), in stock. Contact us or call (832) 290-3120 with questions.
Load cell guides from MNM Scales
- Shear beam load cell: how to choose capacity, material and NTEP (you are here)
- Load cell types
- Single point load cell guide
- S-type load cell guide
- Pancake load cell guide
- Class 1 load cell guide
- How to test a load cell
- Load cell junction box
- Scale kit guide
If you are building or repairing a floor scale, a platform scale or a hopper, you usually want four matched cells under the deck, not one cell in the middle. That is what a shear beam load cell is for: each corner carries its share of the load, and a junction box trims the corners so the platform reads evenly.
What a shear beam load cell does
A shear beam load cell is a beam-shaped cell that measures load in shear. On a typical four-cell scale, one cell sits at each corner, all four cables run to a load cell junction box, and the summed signal goes to the indicator. The MNM Scales GX-1 family in the table below is a single-ended shear beam: mounted at one end, loaded at the other. For a map of every cell shape we sell, start with our load cell types guide.
How it differs from other cell types
Use a shear beam load cell when four cells will share a floor, platform or similar deck. If one cell will carry a small bench or checkweigher by itself, that is a single point load cell. Hanging a tank or doing in-line tension work is usually an S-type load cell. Low-profile compression under a tester is usually a pancake load cell.
Shear beam load cells in stock at live prices
| Shear beam load cell | Capacity | Material | NTEP | Rated output | Price | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MNM Scales GX-1-1K | 1,000 lb | Alloy steel | NTEP, CC 11-069A1, Class III L | 3 mV/V | $89.00 (reg. $119.00) | 1,000 lb floor and platform corners |
| MNM Scales GX-1 | 5,000 lb | Alloy steel | NTEP, CC 11-069A1, Class III L | 3 mV/V | $89.00 | Most 5,000 lb floor, platform and hopper corners |
| MNM Scales GX-1-SSH-1K | 1,000 lb | Stainless, washdown | NTEP, CC 13-035A2 (as GX-1SH), Class III L | 2.0 mV/V | $109.00 | Washdown 1,000 lb corners |
| MNM Scales GX-1-SH-5K | 5,000 lb | Stainless, washdown | NTEP, CC 13-035A2 (as GX-1SH), Class III L | 2.0 mV/V | $129.00 | Washdown 5,000 lb corners |
| MNM Scales GX-1-10K-LE | 10,000 lb | Alloy steel, large envelope | non-NTEP | See notes | $139.00 (reg. $399.00) | Heavier 10,000 lb platforms; large envelope, 20 ft cable |
Browse every cell we stock in load cells.
Single-ended cells, four-cell sets and mounting
The GX-1 family is a single-ended shear beam, the usual choice for four-cell floor and platform corners. For a complete rebuild, a scale kit packages cells, a junction box and an indicator; or start with a matched set such as the GX-1-SH-5K 4-pack ($368.00, regular $699.00), which includes feet and spacers, and add a junction box and indicator. Match the envelope and mounting (the GX-1-10K-LE listing specifies a large envelope, a thru-hole threaded mount and a 20 ft / 6 m PVC cable) before you order, then trim the corners in the junction box after the cells are in.
Alloy vs stainless and washdown
The alloy-steel GX-1 and GX-1-1K are the everyday dry-area cells. For washdown or wet corners, use the stainless GX-1-SSH-1K or GX-1-SH-5K. Those stainless cells are the ones we recommend next to a washdown floor scale. Do not treat alloy and stainless GX-1 cells as drop-in electrical swaps: the alloy GX-1 is specified at 3 mV/V on CC 11-069A1, and the stainless GX-1SH family is specified at 2.0 mV/V on CC 13-035A2. Both use a 4-wire cable and a 350 ohm output impedance.
How to choose capacity and match a replacement
Capacity. On a four-cell scale, pick a cell capacity that covers the corner load with headroom for shock and uneven loading. A 5,000 lb scale often uses 5,000 lb cells at each corner; a heavier deck may need the 10,000 lb GX-1-10K-LE. Add the dead load of the platform and the heaviest item you will weigh, then leave margin rather than running a cell at its limit all day.
Replacement matching. Match capacity, material, rated output, envelope, mounting and cable before you pull the old cell. A 3 mV/V alloy GX-1 and a 2.0 mV/V stainless GX-1-SH are not interchangeable without a fresh calibration and junction-box trim. If you can, bring or photograph the old cell, including any label data, and we will match it from the Cypress shop.
NTEP status
The alloy GX-1 and GX-1-1K are NTEP, certified as model GX-1 under Certificate of Conformance 11-069A1 (Class III L, multiple cell, 500 lb to 5,000 lb). The stainless GX-1-SSH-1K and GX-1-SH-5K are NTEP, certified as model GX-1SH under CC 13-035A2 (Class III L, multiple cell, 500 lb to 5,000 lb). We rechecked both certificates in the NCWM database on November 10, 2026. The GX-1-10K-LE is non-NTEP; 10,000 lb sits outside those certificate ranges. For a 5,000 lb NTEP alternative, use the GX-1 or the GX-1-SH-5K. If you are building a scale that will be used to sell by weight, the finished system needs NTEP-certified components and must be set up for legal-for-trade use. Read what NTEP and legal for trade mean, or check a complete scale with our legal-for-trade scale checker.
Notes from our Cypress, TX shop
- Match the output first: a 3 mV/V alloy GX-1 and a 2.0 mV/V stainless GX-1-SH will not corner correctly as a mixed set.
- Trim the junction box after you install the cells: even a matched four-cell set needs a corner adjustment. Our junction box guide covers the layout.
- Test a failed cell before you replace all four: a meter check of excitation, output and bridge resistance, as in our load cell test guide, tells you whether one cell, the cable or the indicator is at fault.
Need a hand matching a replacement? Call us or drop the old cell at our Cypress, TX shop (21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433) by appointment.
Ready to order? The MNM Scales GX-1 is our usual 5,000 lb alloy-steel shear beam load cell at $89.00, in stock, and NTEP. Need a 1,000 lb cell, a stainless washdown cell, or a 10,000 lb large-envelope cell? See the table above, or browse all load cells. After the cells, platform and indicator are assembled, get a quote to have the finished scale calibrated. Questions? Call (832) 290-3120.
Calibration and repair
- The finished scale is what gets calibrated: once the cells, platform and indicator are assembled, get a quote for in-house or NIST calibration of the complete system. Mail-in calibration is available nationwide by mail, for in-house and NIST certificates.
- On-site calibration: we calibrate on-site across Houston and its suburbs at $295 plus $2 per mile round trip.
- Repair: we repair all brands and types of scales through our Houston scale repair service.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shear beam load cell?
A shear beam load cell is a beam-shaped cell, usually used in sets of four at the corners of a floor, platform or tank scale, with a junction box summing the signals. The MNM Scales GX-1 5,000 lb alloy-steel cell is our usual pick at $89.00.
What is the difference between a single-ended and a double-ended shear beam?
A single-ended shear beam, like the MNM Scales GX-1 family, is mounted at one end and loaded at the other, which is the usual layout for four-cell floor and platform scales. A double-ended shear beam is supported at both ends and loaded in the middle, a different construction used on some heavier platforms. Call us if you need help matching the style on a replacement job.
Can I swap an alloy GX-1 for a stainless GX-1-SH or GX-1-SSH?
Not as a drop-in electrical swap. The alloy GX-1 (CC 11-069A1) is specified at 3 mV/V; the stainless GX-1SH family (CC 13-035A2) is specified at 2.0 mV/V. Match output, excitation, capacity, envelope and mounting before you order, then trim the junction box after the cells are in.
Are MNM Scales GX-1 shear beam load cells NTEP?
The alloy GX-1 and GX-1-1K, and the stainless GX-1-SSH-1K and GX-1-SH-5K, are NTEP. The alloy cells are certified as model GX-1 under CC 11-069A1 (Class III L, 500 lb to 5,000 lb). The stainless cells are certified as model GX-1SH under CC 13-035A2 (Class III L, 500 lb to 5,000 lb). The GX-1-10K-LE 10,000 lb cell is non-NTEP; for a 5,000 lb NTEP corner see the GX-1 or the GX-1-SH-5K.
Do I need a junction box with shear beam load cells?
Yes, on a typical four-cell floor or platform scale. Each shear beam load cell goes to a load cell junction box, which sums and trims the corners, and the box output goes to the indicator. A four-pack of GX-1-SH-5K cells with feet and spacers is in stock at $368.00 if you are building a full set.
How do I test a shear beam load cell that already failed?
Measure excitation, output in millivolts and bridge resistance, and compare them with the rated output on the certificate or datasheet (3 mV/V on the alloy GX-1, 2.0 mV/V on the stainless GX-1SH family). Follow how to test a load cell and call us if you want the replacement cell matched and shipped.