How to Troubleshoot Your Load Cell

A load cell is a sensor device that can detect force in the form of mass or torque. Post-detection, the force input can be changed into an output of an electrical signal. However, if a load cell is not working efficiently, these measurements can go wrong. Since load cells have applications across high-impact industries like aviation and healthcare, it is essential to prevent these glitches. Whether you use a compression load cell or a shear beam load cell, there are simple tips to follow for troubleshooting your device.

What Should you Do to Troubleshoot a Load Cell?
First and foremost, you must ensure that you source your sensors from reliable load cell suppliers. This step is essential for minimising the risks of issues and the need for troubleshooting. However, some problems may still come up due to depreciation or environmental factors. If this happens, the following are some steps you must follow:

• Preparing for Troubleshooting: Before troubleshooting the issue, you must check if the load cell is attached to a power cell that does not fluctuate. The calibration sheet of your equipment will contain the recommended power range details. Once it is connected to the right power source, you must get a precise multi-meter. This multi-meter should have at least two decimals in the mV or millivolt range. You should also ensure that the load cell is not attached to the mounting assembly. If it cannot be removed, ensure that you take the measurements of the additional weight and account for the same.
• Visual Checks: Visually looking for damages to the shape or structure of load cells can help in identifying issues. Metal deformations can indicate that the device has experienced overloading. Such deformations may also say that the device has faced shocks or non-axial loading. You have to further look for damaged welding and cables, corrosion or rusting on device surfaces. Abrasions and tears on the cables are also critical to check.
• Tap Test: You can conduct this test by observing the indicator while you make light taps on the device. You need something like a rubber mallet to make these taps. You must never use a heavy metal item to tap the sensor. If the display shows significant fluctuations, then it means there may be internal damage to the sensor.
• Zero Balance Check: You can start this check by disconnecting the device from the indicator. The cell has to be free from force. At the same time, excitation leads need to be linked to a voltage source having the recommended value. Voltage values for the different signals can be measured using the multi-meter. If the zero-balance variation is more than the tolerance mentioned on the calibration sheet, it indicates overloading damage.

Based on these checks, you can understand the troubles that underlie the issues in your load cell. Like this, you can manage the malfunctioning of an s-type load cell or another kind of sensor. However, if you purchase sensors from reputed load cell manufacturers in Ahmedabad like Sensomatic Loadcell, you will face minimal issues and little to no troubleshooting needs. They create a variety of sensors with quality assurance, so make sure you check them out right away!