OMRON K3HB-VLC Weighing / Force Gauge Display Meter

K3HB-VLC belongs to the K3HB-V series, an OMRON digital panel meter for weighing and force measurement. It is specially designed to interface with Load Cell millivolt (mV) signals, and is used for weight, Druck, torque and tension measurement as well as OK/NG judgment. It adopts DIN1/8 mounting with a 96×48 mm cut-out dimension.

Status: Diese Serie wird eingestellt. Only stock or second-hand units are available; alternative solutions are required.

1. Interpretation des Modellcodes

K3HB-VLC-[Option Board][Stromversorgung]

V: Weighing & force measurement series

LC: Load-cell millivolt low-level signal input (for load cells)

Suffix B: Sensor excitation DC10 V, 100 mA; Suffix E: Sensor excitation DC5 V, 100 mA

Stromversorgung:

AC100-240V: AC power supply

AC/DC24: AC/DC 24 V power supply

Middle codes CPB / L1 / L2 / F, usw.: Represent optional add-on boards (Relais, Analoger Ausgang, RS-485, DeviceNet). Basic models K3HB-VLC-B1/E1 have no outputs. Output or communication functions require installation of optional boards.

2. Kern-Hardware-Spezifikationen

3. Optional Expansion Boards (Slot B, müssen separat bestellt werden)

The main unit has no built-in outputs; functions are implemented via optional boards.

1. K33-CPB: Relay output for 5-level judgment HH/H/PASS/L/LL
2. K33-L1B: Analog current output 0-20 mA / 4-20 mA
3. K33-L2B: Analog voltage output 1-5 V / 0-10 V
4. K33-LBT11: RS-485-Kommunikation
5. K33-FLK: DeviceNet fieldbus
6. Typische Anwendungsszenarien

Assembly force testing, press-fit force measurement

Material weighing, weight sorting OK-NG judgment

Tension and torque measurement

Automatic production-line indication & judgment

5. Hinweise zur Verkabelung
6. Connect 4-wire / 6-wire load cell to mV input terminals. Pay attention to excitation voltage: version B = 10 V, version E = 5 V. Match with your load cell; incorrect excitation leads to abnormal readings.
7. External event inputs: Trockenkontakt / NPN-Open-Collector.
8. All outputs are provided by optional boards; no relay or analog outputs on main-unit terminals.
9. Always fit the front-panel sealing gasket to achieve IP66 protection.
10. Discontinued-Model Replacement Recommendations
11. OMRON replacement: K3N-LC (new-generation weighing display meter, same 96×48 form factor for load-cell input; different optional modules).
12. Inländische Alternativen: Jaiman, Zhimei weighing meters, 96×48 size with mV input.
13. Allgemeine Fehlerbehebung
14. Fluctuating readings: Poor shielding/earthing of sensor wiring, mismatched excitation voltage.
15. Zero-setting failure: Incorrect zero-point and range parameter settings.
16. No outputs: Missing optional output board; main unit has no native outputs.

OMRON K3HB-VLC Complete Replacement List

K3HB-VLC features: 96×48 (1/8 AUS), 5-digit display, load-cell mV input, sensor excitation DC5 V/10 V, 5-level judgment, event inputs, optional relay / analog / RS485 outputs. No native outputs on main unit; functions depend on optional add-on boards. Now discontinued.

⚠️: Old K33- option boards for K3HB series are NOT compatible with new replacement models. Full set replacement is mandatory.

1. OMRON Original Recommended Replacements (Bevorzugt, closest functional match)
2. K3N-LC (Official primary successor model)

Abmessungen: 96×48 mm, cut-out 92×44 mm. Existing cabinet cut-out can be reused.

Eingang: Load-cell mV input; Reichweite, accuracy ±0.1%FS, 50 Hz sampling consistent with K3HB-VLC; selectable excitation DC10 V / DC5 V.

Anzeige: 5-digit red-green switchable main display plus secondary line; supports external ZERO, HOLD and event inputs.

Ausgabe: Uses redesigned optional modules (old K33- boards are incompatible). Optionen: Relaisausgang, 4-20 mA / 0-10 V analog output, RS485-Modbus.

Unterschiede:

1. Terminal layout changed; existing wiring needs re-termination.
2. Communication protocol updated; host-system software modification required.
3. No DeviceNet version (K3HB-VLC offered K33-FLK DeviceNet option).

Power-supply suffix options: K3N-LC-A1 (AC100-240 V), K3N-LC-24 (AC/DC24 V)

Suitable for equipment retrofits where cabinet cut-out shall remain unchanged and OEM quality is acceptable with re-wiring.

2. K3AS-LC (Compact alternative, limited usage)

Supports load-cell input; shorter depth than K3N-LC; different output module configuration. No multi-bank switching. Feature-limited, suitable only for basic force/weight indication. Not recommended for complex OK-NG press-fit applications.

1. Other Japanese-Brand Drop-In Equivalents
2. Autonics CT-100 / CT-100S

96×48; load-cell mV input; 10 V excitation; 5-level comparison output; Relais / analog / RS485; 5-digit display.

Notiz: Sampling rate limited to 25 Hz; not recommended for high-speed press-fit force measurement.

2. SHIMADZU LCM-800

96×48, 50 Hz high-speed sampling, force-measurement dedicated for press-fit testing; higher price point.

III. Inländische Alternativen (Kostengünstig, 96×48 cut-out, Load-cell mV input)

Anwendungen: Press-fit force measurement, tension monitoring, weight sorting; zero setting, peak-hold, Alarmausgang, 4-20 mA transmission, RS485-Modbus.

1. Jaiman GM-8804: 96×48 panel meter, dedicated for weighing & force measurement, mV input, 10 V excitation, 5-and-half digit, high-speed sampling. Relais + analog + RS485 integrated; no extra option boards needed.
2. Zhimei PT650: 96×48, load-cell input; zero / Spitzenhalt; 4-20 mA transmission; relay alarm.
3. Changchen XMT-800-LC: General-purpose domestic force/weighing meter; niedrige Kosten; performance inferior to Jaiman for high-dynamic force applications.
4. Key Selection Comparison Table

1. Retrofit Considerations
2. Ausschnittmaß: K3N-LC cut-out 92×44 mm matches K3HB-VLC; no panel machining required. Check cabinet depth due to different rear-body depth.
3. Verdrahtung: Legacy K33 series option boards cannot be reused. Purchase main unit plus new output modules as a complete set.
4. DeviceNet fieldbus: K3N-LC has no DeviceNet variant. If original system uses DeviceNet, either source second-hand K3HB-VLC or deploy an RS485-to-DeviceNet gateway.
5. Sensor excitation voltage: Confirm load-cell excitation rating (5 V or 10 V) and configure new meter accordingly to avoid abnormal readings.
6. Programmierung: Parameters cannot be directly migrated. Zero-point and full-scale calibration must be performed. Host communication software needs modification.
7. Auswahlhilfe
8. Erste Wahl: K3N-LC. OEM solution with best performance match for high-demand automatic-line press-fit force measurement.
9. For legacy DeviceNet systems: Do not use K3N-LC directly. Source second-hand K3HB-VLC or add protocol gateway.
10. Budgetsensible Projekte: Select Jaiman GM-8804 with integrated outputs without additional option boards.

Non-OMRON Alternatives for K3HB-VLC — Full List

Recap of K3HB-VLC mandatory requirements for candidate replacements:

✅ 96×48 mm / 1/8 DIN cut-out, strain-gauge Load-cell mV low-level direct input, sensor excitation DC5 V / 10 V @ 100 mA

✅ Hardware terminal-based external event inputs: ZERO / HOLD / ZURÜCKSETZEN (for automatic line triggering; distinguishes from simple key-operated weighing meters)

✅ Multi-level OK/NG judgment outputs (5-level HH/H/PASS/L/LL preferred; minimum 3-level)

✅ 5-digit display, ~50 Hz high-speed sampling (for press-fit force / dynamic force measurement; not for low-speed commercial scales)

✅ Optional relay / 4-20 mA analog / RS485 Modbus

❌ Many standard 96×48 weighing meters only support keypad zeroing, lack external DI, run slow sampling and are unsuitable for K3HB-VLC-style automated force-measurement applications.

1. Other Japanese Brands (Best-fit for press-fit / force-measurement production lines)
2. Unipulse F331 (Top-rank alternative)

Abmessungen: 96×48 mm identical cut-out, strain-gauge / mV dedicated input.

Key matching features: External DI (ZERO, PEAK/HOLD, ZURÜCKSETZEN), HH/HI/OK/LO/LL multi-level judgment, peak-/valley-hold, sampling up to 300 Hz, selectable excitation 5 V / 10 V.

Ausgänge: Relay judgment, 4-20 mA / 0-10 V analog, RS485 Modbus (option), USB standard.

Unterschiede: Default power supply DC24 V; no AC100-240 V version. 5-level logic and terminal pin-out differ from K3HB-VLC; re-wiring required. No DeviceNet.

Ideal use-case: Automated press-fit, force-value OK-NG judgment with external trigger hold. OEM-class force-measurement panel meter.

2. SHIMADZU LCM-800

96×48, LC mV input, 50 Hz sampling, 5-digit red-green switchable display, 5-level comparison outputs, external zero / hold inputs.

10 V excitation. Accuracy and dynamic performance comparable to K3HB-VLC. Widely used industrial force meter.

Unterschiede: Höherer Preis, limited distribution channels; Wechselstrom / 24 V power variants are separate models.

Anwendungen: High-speed force testing, test machines, matched with Shimadzu sensors.

3. Valcom VMM6

96×48, strain-mV dedicated input, external S/H hold, external digital ZERO, multi-level comparison outputs.

Frequently seen on Japanese equipment; high noise immunity for pressure / load judgment.

Unterschiede: Moderate sampling rate; analog and communication are optional add-ons.

4. Autonics DI-100LC (Notiz: CT series are counters, not load-cell meters)

96×48, Load-cell input, 10 V excitation, external zero + 2-channel alarm, optional RS485 / analog.

Unterschiede: Nur 2- / 3-level alarm, no native 5-level HH/H/PASS/L/LL, limited event inputs, 25 Hz sampling rate.

Suitable for simple upper-lower-limit force measurement or weight sorting. Not for original 5-level-judgment production lines.

5. NMB / AND small-form-factor force meters

Also offer 96×48 LC panel meters, mostly bundled with their own sensors. Low general-purpose flexibility and high cost; seldom chosen as universal replacements.

1. europäisch & Amerikanische Marken (High-precision, premium force-/test-measurement scenarios)
2. HBM WTX110

Notiz: Standard variant is 96×96, not 96×48; compact variants exist. LC mV input, hohe Genauigkeit, hohe Geschwindigkeit, reichhaltige Funktionen.

Stärken: Native compatibility with HBM sensors, complete calibration utilities, robust industrial noise performance.

Einschränkungen: Mismatched cut-out, high price; oriented as amplifier / transmitter rather than judgment-capable panel meter. Only consider if panel cut-out modification is acceptable.

2. Flintec / ADI LC-50K

96×48, LC input, Alarmausgänge. Optimized for static weighing rather than dynamic force measurement; limited external event DI capability.

3. Vishay / Zemic indicator units

Most are 96×96 form factor; cut-out mismatch.

Zusammenfassung: europäisch / American product lines have almost no native 96×48 panel meters combining full external event DI plus 5-level judgment. Replacement cost is high; prioritize Japanese or domestic options.

III. Domestic Brands (Kostengünstig; many models purpose-built to replace K3HB force-measurement applications)

✅ Tier 1 (Voll ausgestattet, qualified for automated force-measurement replacement)

1. Jaiman GM-8804 / M02

96×48 cut-out, direct Load-cell mV input, 10 V excitation. Relais + analog + RS485 built-in; no extra option boards required unlike K3HB.

Supports hardware-terminal external ZERO, HOLD, RESET DI inputs, peak-valley hold, multi-level judgment, sampling adjustable from 50 Hz up to 960 Hz.

Currently the most widely-adopted domestic drop-in for K3HB-VLC on production lines.

Unterschiede: No red-green color-changing display; excitation mostly fixed at 10 V (verify for 5 V sensors); menu architecture changed; full recalibration mandatory.

M02: Kompakter, high-speed sampling; GM-8804: General-purpose workhorse.

2. Sibata SBT953

96×48, mV force input, external zero / hold, peak-valley functions, Relais + 4-20 mA + RS485, Chinese-language menu.

Popular domestic option for press-fit and force sorting.

3. Zhimei PT650

96×48, LC input, zero / Gipfel / Alarm / transmission. Economical stable model.

Einschränkungen: Weak external event-input capability; keypad-dominated zeroing. OK-NG basic use only; not recommended for complex timing-DI workflows.

✅ Tier 2 (Economy class, simple weighing / limit-alarm only; unsuitable for original automated event logic)

Changchen XMT800-LC, Ditaier CHB, Dayang DY800: Support mV input and alarm outputs. Typically only one external zero input; no independent HOLD / ZURÜCKSETZEN; slow sampling; no 5-level judgment.

Anwendungsfall: K3HB-VLC used merely for weight indication plus dual-limit alarm. Do not apply if original installation uses external HOLD, TIMING or multi-bank / 5-level outputs.

1. Replacement Matching Summary Table

1. Critical Selection Pitfalls
2. Distinguish force-measurement mV panel meters from general weighing indicators

Most 96×48 domestic weighing meters target hopper / platform scales: heavy digital filtering, slow sampling, keypad-only tare, no external timing DI, no trigger-capable peak-hold. These cannot substitute K3HB-VLC for press-fit force / on-line judgment. Confirm hardware-terminal external zero and external-hold functions before ordering.

2. Verify excitation voltage: Legacy K3HB-VLC B-variant =10 V, E-variant =5 V @100 mA. Many alternatives use fixed 10 V excitation. For 5 V-rated load cells prioritize models with switchable excitation such as F331.
3. Cut-out dimension ≠ mounting depth: 96×48 front-panel footprint is compatible across models, but rear depth and terminal layouts differ completely. All replacements require re-wiring. Legacy K33 option boards are 100 % non-reusable.
4. If original system relies on HH/H/PASS/L/LL 5-level outputs: Avoid models limited to dual-limit alarm (Autonics DI-100LC, Zhimei PT650, usw.).
5. Legacy DeviceNet installations: None of the non-OMRON alternatives support DeviceNet. Lösung: retain second-hand K3HB-VLC or deploy RS485-to-DeviceNet protocol gateway.
6. Zero-point and full-scale physical recalibration is mandatory after replacement. Parameter migration from K3HB-VLC is not possible.
7. Kurzanleitung zur Auswahl

Closest functional match for automated-line OK-NG force measurement: Unipulse F331

Cost-optimized choice, integrated outputs without option boards, good local support: Jaiman GM-8804

Simple upper-lower-limit weight indication without external hold timing: Zhimei PT650 / Autonics DI-100LC

High-performance dynamic force / test-machine applications: Shimadzu LCM-800