Products › Torque Sensors › Rotary Torque Sensors › Square Drive Torque Sensor (WTQ-1010)
Square Drive Torque Sensor (WTQ-1010)
A micro torque sensor measures very small rotational torque, from 0.1 N·m up to about 10 N·m, on a turning shaft. A strain-gauge bridge on a stainless-steel shaft section reads the twist, and the signal is taken off through brushes. It suits micro-motors, viscometers and small gear or actuator tests where a full-size rotary sensor is too coarse.
- Model: WTQ-1010
- Range: 5 N·m to 1,000 N·m
- Type: square-drive dynamic (contact)
- Drive: square hole in, square shaft out
- Accuracy: ±0.1 to ±0.3% FS
- Output: 1.0-1.5 mV/V bridge; 4-20 mA or 0-5/10 VDC optional
Overview
The WTQ-1010 is a square-drive torque sensor for rotating torque from 5 to 1,000 N·m. It has a square hole on the input side and a square shaft on the output side, so it drops into a square-drive line, the same drive a socket or torque wrench uses, and reads torque in both directions.
The signal leaves the shaft through a brush contact, which keeps the cost down for bench and intermittent use. For continuous high-speed running with no wear, see the non-contact torque sensor or the general rotary torque sensors.
Features
What sets this micro torque sensor apart:
Square drive
A square hole in and a square shaft out, so it couples like a socket or torque-wrench drive.
Bidirectional
Reads torque in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.
5 to 1,000 N·m
Mid-range dynamic torque for tools, drives and bench tests.
Brush transfer
A brush contact carries the signal off the shaft, which keeps the cost down.
Many outputs
mV/V bridge, with 4-20 mA or 0-5/10 VDC available.
Overload protected
Safe to 150% and ultimate to 200% of full scale.
Working principle
Torque passes through the square drive and strains a metal-foil bridge on the shaft. A brush contact carries the bridge signal off the rotating shaft. The square hole and square shaft let the sensor sit in a socket-style drive line, so it reads the torque a wrench or power tool applies, in both directions. The bridge gives a millivolt signal, and an amplifier can convert it to 4-20 mA or 0-5/10 VDC.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Measuring principle | Square-drive dynamic strain-gauge shaft, brush signal transfer |
| Measuring range | 5 to 1,000 N·m (5 / 10 / 20 / 50 / 100 / 200 / 300 / 500 / 1,000 N·m) |
| Drive | Square hole input, square shaft output, bidirectional |
| Sensitivity | 1.0-1.5 mV/V |
| Non-linearity | ±0.1 / ±0.3% FS |
| Zero output | ±1% FS |
| Hysteresis | ≤±0.05% FS |
| Repeatability | ≤±0.05% FS |
| Response | about 100 microseconds |
| Compensated temperature | -10 to 60 °C |
| Operating temperature | -20 to 65 °C |
| Excitation | 10-15 VDC |
| Safe overload | 150% FS |
| Ultimate overload | 200% FS |
| Output options | mV/V bridge; 4-20 mA or 0-5/10 VDC optional |
| Material | Aluminum, stainless steel or alloy steel |
Models and ranges
Standard rated torques, square drive:
| Rated torque | Drive |
|---|---|
| 5 N·m | Square hole / square shaft |
| 20 N·m | Square hole / square shaft |
| 50 N·m | Square hole / square shaft |
| 100 N·m | Square hole / square shaft |
| 200 N·m | Square hole / square shaft |
| 500 N·m | Square hole / square shaft |
| 1,000 N·m | Square hole / square shaft |
Square drive or shaft
Pick by how it couples and how it runs:
| Type | Coupling | Choose when |
|---|---|---|
| WTQ-1010 square drive | Square hole and shaft (brush) | Socket or torque-wrench drive, bench and intermittent use |
| Non-contact shaft | In-line shaft, no slip rings | Continuous high-speed running with no wear |
For continuous running see the non-contact torque sensor; for all builds see the rotary torque sensors.
Applications
- Torque-wrench and power-tool output testing
- Socket-drive torque measurement on a bench
- Bidirectional torque checks on tools and drives
- Mid-range dynamic torque from 5 to 1,000 N·m
- Bench and intermittent torque auditing
Challenge: A tool shop needed to check the torque delivered by sockets and power tools across a wide mid range, in both directions, on a simple bench.
Solution: A square-drive torque sensor that takes the socket directly, reads 5 to 1,000 N·m in either direction, and sends a voltage signal to the bench readout.
Result: The square drive let tools couple straight on, and one sensor covered the range for routine torque-tool auditing without a custom fixture.
Related products
FAQ
What is a square drive torque sensor?
It is a torque sensor with a square hole and square shaft, so it couples into a socket or torque-wrench drive line. The WTQ-1010 reads 5 to 1,000 N·m in both directions.
How does the WTQ-1010 mount?
The input is a square hole and the output is a square shaft, so it sits in line with a square drive, the same drive a socket or wrench uses.
What torque range does it cover?
From 5 to 1,000 N·m: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500 and 1,000 N·m.
Is it contact or non-contact?
Contact. A brush carries the signal off the shaft, which keeps the cost down for bench and intermittent use. For continuous high-speed running with no wear, use a non-contact sensor.
Can it measure torque in both directions?
Yes. It reads clockwise and counter-clockwise torque, so it suits tightening and loosening checks.
Request a quote
Tell us the torque range and shaft speed, and we configure one micro torque sensor for your drive, not a shelf part. Send the details and our engineers reply with a specification and quote.