Some Good Practices in regards to load cells

– Select the correct nominal capacity of the load cell, which should be higher than the maximum load operative in the installation. Do not load them over their nominal capacity.
– Select the Model of load cell suitable for the application and the environment.
– Be aware that a cell is a delicate sensor, both electrically and mechanically. Its choosing and installation should be carried out only by professionals of the sector. Take precautions for the safety of the system. Do not allow that the safety of people or things depends on the mechanical resistance of a cell or of the signals delivered by a cell. Properly overdimension and use the safety external elements that you consider necessary.
– Use the cell accessories designed by the manufacturer for the specific cell.
– Assemble the cells and/or accessories on a clean, flat, solid and strong surface.
– Design suitable protection elements against mechanical overloads, wiring protection, problems with rodents and any other risks.
– Avoid temperature gradients in the load cell. Temperature must be stable all through the body of the cell. If there is a heat source nearby, insulate it by means of insulating plates in order to reduce the transmission or radiation of heat towards any part of the cell.
– Do not hold a load cell by the wire or pull it. Properly protect the wires in the installation.
– Protect both the scales and the load cell from shocks.
– Returns must be properly packaged against shocks.
– Do not open the load cells or try to repair them.
– Do not carry out welding tasks near the load cells.
– Keep the area where the load cell is installed clean.
– Have a suitable drainage system in the installation in order to avoid floods for a long time. Both the load cells as the wires must never be submerged for long periods of time.
– Do not strain the cells or submit them to force torsion moments, different of the ones in the main direction of measuring.
– Use a stable and free of noise power supply. Do not feed it with a higher voltage than the recommended one and prevent the load cells from overloads and electrical discharges.
– Do not set the electronic equipment to a higher resolution than the logical one available for the cell or higher than the necessary for the user of the application.
– Do not exceed any specification limit of the load cell or its accessories, nor of the usual practices of the sector.
– The above recommendations are just an orientation as general information and they are not the only ones to take into account. The person in charge of the installation should analyze the needs of each concrete case.