Load cells are often as part of an accurate weighing system for several reasons. These cells are able to provide highly accurate measurements while remaining non-intrusive. In addition, these cells are able to provide accurate measurements in a wide range of temperatures from -452 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. That being said, certain situations can cause load cells to become incapable of providing accurate measurements. With that in mind, here are three situations that can cause a load cell to become faulty.
- Unbalanced Zero Connection
It’s imperative for a load cell to rest at zero while not being used. If you’re consistently noticing readings that are varying wildly, it’s likely that an unbalanced connection has taken place. There are a wide number of instances that can cause these types of readings to occur. It’s best to utilize high quality load cells to prevents instances of unbalanced connections from occurring. - Improper Wiring
You’ll want to ensure that all wires are properly connected to any load cell in use. There are a wide variety of load cell types, making it important to follow proper wiring guidelines. For instance, digital load cells might have vastly different wiring from an analog load cell. It’s important to ensure that you’re aware of how to ensure these cells remain wired. - Damage to Machine Housing Load Cell
One reason that load cells continue to remain popular is due to their accuracy when taking measurements. Many load cells use what is known as strain gauge technology which has remained quite popular for over four decades. Unfortunately, it’s important to remember that machines housing these cells can sometimes suffer damage. If a machine is damaged near where the high quality load cells are housed, it can cause the cells to become damaged as well. You’ll need someone that knows about load cells to help you find out if these items can be repaired or if a full replacement is the best option.
To summarize, there are a few situations that can cause high quality load cells to not perform properly. An unbalanced zero connection occurs when load cells aren’t providing a zero reading while in a state of rest. Another common reason that load cells perform improperly is due to incorrect wiring. It’s extremely important to ensure that all wires are properly connected to load cells. In certain situations, a machine housing load cells can suffer damage. If this occurs, you’ll want to check the damaged machine to assess how much damage the load cells have suffered.