While most modern boom gates have a built-in photoelectric cell, photoelectric cells are also useful on sites as individual components. They are essentially a switch that is tripped when a vehicle cuts the beam of the cell

When installed at strategic locations, the photoelectric cells can alert operators or supervisores to the proximity of a vehicle on site. For example, a photoelectric cell can be installed at each end of a weighbridge. The cells can be integrated to a software package, supplied by Accuweigh. If a vehicle is not fully on the weighbridge, one or both of the photoelectric cells is tripped. The software can be programmed to fail to process this vehicle until it is fully on the weighbridge.

Photoelectric cells are economical site security accessories that can eliminate fraudulent weighbridge use.