Load Cells: The Lifelines of Weighbridge Lorry Loading

Weighbridges are essential heavy duty weighing scales in the trade industry that are used to calculate the weight of lorries and their loads, although they’d be worthless without load cells. Load cells are the true components that allow these weights to be calculated.

Read on as we delve into the world of load cells, explaining exactly what they are along with how they work in order to allow weighbridges to do their job.

What is a Load Cell

Before we explain what a load cell is, let us first describe what a transducer is. A transducer is an electronic device that converts one form of energy to another. A load cell, then, is a type of transducer that detects force and converts it into a measurable electrical output.

How Do They Work?

It consists of a metal structure that features a spring element and a strain gauge - both of which are used to detect force. The spring element will deform when force is applied to it; so, when less weight - or force - is applied, the less it will deform, and when more weight is applied, the more it will deform. The strain gauge is attached to this spring element, and will detect this deformation.

They are able to measure the degree of this deformation to a highly precise degree - they typically offer accuracies within 0.03% to 0.25%. It is this measurement that is then converted electronically into a weight readout.

Calibration

There are a number of external influences that may affect a load cell’s accuracy. This includes environmental factors such as the temperature, humidity/moisture, dust ingress and even the material that the load cell is made from. Other factors that may also affect load cell accuracy include the creep effect and repeatability.

The creep effect is when a load is continually applied to a load cell and the output of the load cell gradually changes (or ‘creeps’) over time. As for repeatability, this is when the same load is repeatedly applied to the load cell, except the output may vary a little each time.

Because there are numerous factors that can affect a load cell’s accuracy, weighbridges must undergo regular calibration. Weighbridge calibration involves a set of processes under controlled conditions in order to test the relationship between the values of quantities by comparing the displayed measurement outputs with a set of standard results.

This is done to adjust and verify the accuracy of the load cells in the weighbridge to ensure that it provides reliable measurements - if it doesn’t, then this indicates that repair is needed.

Scales Spares & Services Ltd

If you own a weighbridge that hasn’t undergone its annual calibration yet, then you need Scales Spares & Services Ltd. Based in West Yorkshire, we don’t only manufacture and supply weighbridges, but we’re able to undertake weighbridge repairs, servicing and calibration.

Get in touch with us today for more information regarding our services.