In addition to the various types of load cells, these differ in the manufacturing materials used, mostly aluminium and stainless steel. In addition to the material, the environment in which the cell is used must also be taken into account: Especially the ambient temperatures are an important factor: Every material changes due to heat or cold, which also applies to load cells and strain gages. In order for the exact weight to be displayed, the load cell must be able to compensate for external interference.
Accuracy is particularly important when weighing: load cells are classified into different accuracy classes. These are divided into classes A to D, where A is the best possible class. Strain gage load cells are mostly produced in classes C and D. Depending on the area of application, the requirements for the required accuracy vary: For example, the pharmaceutical industry requires different accuracies and process measurement uncertainties than for instance recyling or retail.