Choosing Load Cell & Controller for a Tension Test Bench

Hi everyone,
I'm planning to build a home-made tension/compression test bench, mainly for use in tension mode (about 95% of the time). I'm looking to buy a complete system, and I've shortlisted a few load cells and display controllers. Here's what I'm trying to figure out:

Load Cell Questions:
I'm considering the ATO-LCS-TJL-1, ATO-LCS-DYLY-102, and ATO-LCS-TJL-4 models, all available in 2 ton or 3 ton. Aside from capacity, what are the main differences between these three?
The ATO-LCS-DYLY-102 runs on a 5V–15V bridge voltage. Does the voltage level affect accuracy? Does it limit my choice of display controller?
I noticed the ATO-LCS-DYLY-102 has "overload protection." What exactly does that mean?
Are these load cells pre-calibrated when shipped, or will I need to calibrate them myself using weights close to their rated capacity?

Display Controller Questions:
I'm looking at the ATO-DPM-LC5D, ATO-DPM-DY220, ATO-DPM-DY800, and ATO-LCTR-OAR. I want to view tension readings live during the test and retrieve the data on a PC later for chart plotting. Which controller supports both?
If I choose the ATO-DPM-DY800 (which uses 5V power), does that mean I'm limited to only the ATO-LCS-DYLY-102 load cell?

Thanks for any help!

Eulalia wrote:Hi there,
Thanks for your questions. Here are the answers:
1. All three load cells are S-type models, but they differ in design shape and available capacity ranges. Functionally, they're similar in measurement principle.
2. Yes, supplying the proper bridge voltage (within 5V–15V) is essential. Using too low or unstable a voltage can reduce accuracy and cause unstable readings.
3. Overload protection in the ATO-LCS-DYLY-102 means the load cell includes a mechanical feature that prevents damage when a load slightly beyond its rated capacity is applied.
4. If you buy both the load cell and the display controller from ATO, they will pre-calibrate the system for you before shipment, so you won't need to calibrate it manually.
5. For your needs (live reading + PC data retrieval), go with the ATO-DPM-DY800 and ATO-LCS-DYLY-102. This combo supports 5V power and data output via RS485 or an analog signal.

Eulalia, if you want ultimate accuracy, especially for low-range tension measurements, you might still want to validate the factory calibration with some known test weights. Even pre-calibrated systems can drift slightly depending on mounting.

Thanks! I think I'll go with the ATO-DPM-DY800 + ATO-LCS-DYLY-102 combo then. Seems like the best match for live display and PC data logging. I'll make sure to check the mounting carefully and may validate with known weights, as Irmak suggested. Appreciate the insights!