0 basic rules for positioning load cells – Rice Lake SURVIVOR Paramounts HE Medium Capacity User Manual
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Paramount Installation Guide
2.0 Basic Rules for Positioning Load Cells
• Position load cells to distribute the load between the cells as evenly as possible.
If an even load distribution is not possible because of the layout, higher capacity
load cells may be necessary. This should not affect weighing accuracy. How-
ever, all load cells in a scale must be of the same capacity.
• Always use one fixed pin mount and one side stop mount; use free sliding
mounts at all other support points.
• The longitudinal axis of the side stop mount should point generally toward the
fixed pin unit. In most applications with four or more load cells, the side stop
mount should be positioned such that its longitudinal axis points directly toward
the fixed pin mount as in Figure 5B, 6, 7, and 8 on page 5. In applications with
only three load cells, it may be difficult to position the side stop mount to align
perfectly with the fixed pin mount. In those cases, the maximum permissible
angle of deviation is 45°. Some typical installations with acceptable angles are
shown in Figure 5A and C on page 5.
• If possible, the fixed pin mount should be positioned so that the longitudinal
axis of the load cell points in the direction of any prevalent side force. For
example, when under a roller table, the longitudinal axis of the load cell should
point in the direction of travel. For a vessel subject to thermal cycling, the axis
should be aligned in the direction of maximum expansion/contraction.
• When installing load cells and tank mount assemblies directly under tank legs,
avoid subjecting the structure to any unnecessary bending moments. To prevent
unnecessary bending, observe the precaution in Figure 9 on page 6.
• To reduce cost, it is sometimes possible to replace one or more of the load cells
with dummy load cell mounts. This may be done only in liquid weighing appli-
cations where the load distribution between mounts remains constant. Some
accuracy will be sacrificed with this method.