What is the vmin parameter of a load cell?

In order to define the metrologic characteristics of a load cell, in general, the standard developed by OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) is used, which in the case of a cell is the OIML R60 recommendation “Metrological regulation for load cells”.

According to those recommendations, the vmin parameter is the “Minimum load cell verification interval”, which is the data supplied by the manufacturer of the cell to indicate the recommended minimum size in order to define the size of each division or resolution of the load cell.

The vmin value is in units of mass (weight). Usually, vmin is a value between 6.000 and 10.000 fractions of the nominal capacity of the load cell.

This data can be used by the manufacturer of the scale to validate if the chosen division for the specific scale is compatible with the minimum division that the load cell can supply, according to the following formula:
vmin ≤ e / √ N or e ≤ vmin * √ N

being,
e = the verification scale interval or division of the scale
N = the amount of load cells in the scale