The Piab LKVE is intended for use as an overload guard and/or a slack line switch in lifting equipment and is made in a range of forces up to 35,000 lbs. (16000 kp) in single line part and for maximum 1-3/4" (44mm) line diameter. The Piab LKVE provides load indication and/or sums two or more lifts.

The Piab electronic overload guard system consists of a force transducer with amplifier and an electronic signal processing unit.

The force transducer LKVE is attached to a stationary line part. The rope is deflected through a slight angle between the two wheels and the clamping jaw. When loaded, the rope tends to straighten and applies a force which is transmitted to the load cell.

The foil gauge of the load cell is fed with a constant tension from the transducer amplifier. A signal is received in return, which is proportional to the force on the load cell. The signal is amplified and is converted to a current signal of 4 - 20 mA.

The strong signal makes it possible for the distance between the force transducer and the electronic unit to be up to 550 yards (500 m).

The Piab LKVE is zinc coated and yellow chromated. The bearings of the hardened wheels are sealed with O-rings and lubricated with MoS₂.

The Load cell and the amplifier are hermetically sealed and meet the requirements for international protection specification class IP 67 according to IEC 144.

The LKVE is not directly included in the rope system and does not affect the construction of the lifting equipment.

Owing to the design of the clamping jaw, the measurement test result is not affected by the changes in the rope diameter that occur after some use.

Together with the Piab electronics the Piab LKVE is protected against faulty operation and adopts overload mode in all combinations of cable breakdowns and/or short circuits that can arise due to cable damage.

The load cell can be overloaded mechanically by 100% nominal load without affecting the accuracy of measurement.

The Piab LKVE gives a defined output of 4-20 mA, which is hard to disturb.

The strong signal manages serial resistances of up to 250 ohm and the cable can therefore be lengthened without special demands on joints or cable lengths. The unshielded cable, 4 x 1/16 sq. inch (4 x 1.5 mm²) transfers supply voltage to the transmitter amplifier and load cell as well as measuring signal to the electronic unit. The cable can be placed close to other live cables without affecting the measuring signal.