The ABB PFTL201C 50KN is a high-capacity horizontal measuring load cell based on ABB’s proprietary Pressductor® Technology. Designed for the most demanding strip and web tension measurement environments, it offers unparalleled durability and accuracy by measuring the horizontal force component on a roll, independent of the roll’s weight.
Technical Specifications & Datasheet
The PFTL201C (where ‘C’ denotes a pluggable connector) is optimized for heavy-duty industrial processing.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Model | PFTL201C |
| Nominal Load (Rated Capacity) | 50 kN (approx. 11,250 lbs) |
| Extended Load | 75 kN |
| Permitted Transverse Load (Vertical) | 250 kN |
| Overload Capacity (Measurement Dir.) | 500 kN |
| Spring Constant | 1000 kN/mm |
| Deflection | 0.050 mm |
| Material | High-grade Stainless Steel |
| Technology | Pressductor® Magnetoelastic Transducer |
| Protection Class | IP65 (standard) |
Key Features
- Magnetoelastic Principle: Operates without strain gauges or moving parts, making it virtually immune to fatigue and impact.
- Horizontal Measurement: Senses only the horizontal tension component, allowing for a high tare-to-tension ratio (useful when rolls are very heavy).
- High Stiffness: Extremely low deflection ensures the natural frequency of the roll remains high, preventing vibration issues.
Country of Origin
The ABB PFTL201C is designed and primarily manufactured in Sweden (Västerås), the historic home of Pressductor technology.
Application Areas
The 50 kN variant is used in “heavy” industries where high strip tension or massive rolls are standard:
- Metal Processing: Rolling mills, pickling lines, galvanizing lines, and annealing furnaces.
- Paper & Pulp: Large-scale paper machines, winders, and calenders where web tension must be precisely controlled.
- Textiles & Converting: High-tension coating and laminating lines.
- Maritime & Mining: Large-scale conveyor belt tensioning systems.
Product Usage Instructions
1. Installation & Mounting
- Orientation: The load cell must be oriented so that the measuring direction (indicated by an arrow on the unit) aligns with the horizontal force component of the strip.
- Hardware: For the 50 kN model, Strength Class 12.9 mounting screws are strictly recommended to handle potential overload forces.
- Alignment: Ensure the mounting surfaces are flat and parallel to avoid stress on the sensor body.
2. Connection
- Connector Type: The “C” version utilizes a pluggable connector. Ensure the cable is secured with enough slack to prevent tension on the plug during machine vibration.
- Cabling: Use original ABB connection cables with high-quality shielding to maintain signal integrity in high EMI environments.
3. Electronics Integration
- This load cell must be connected to an ABB Tension Electronics unit (e.g., PFEA111, PFEA112, or PFEA113).
- Calibration: Enter the nominal load (50 kN) and the wrap angle geometry into the electronics unit to convert the signal into a calibrated tension reading (N, kN, or lbs).
Product Related News
- Pressductor Technology Anniversary: ABB recently celebrated over 70 years of Pressductor technology, highlighting the PFTL series’ role in reducing industrial waste by providing more stable tension control.
- Digitalization Integration: ABB has introduced advanced diagnostic features in the latest PFEA electronics series, allowing PFTL201C users to monitor “Load Cell Health” via fieldbus protocols like Profibus or PROFINET.
- Material Resilience: ABB continues to refine the stainless steel alloys used in the PFTL series to improve corrosion resistance in harsh acid-pickling environments in the steel industry.
