Rice Lake Weigh Modules/Mount Assemblies - Manual (Page 67)

INSTALLATION & SERVICE TIPS
4-4
Load Cell Mounting Hardware Safety Guidelines
Install only load cell mounting hardware and assemblies that have been specifically designed for use in tank, hopper or hanging scale
applications. Often, the use of an inferior-grade product results in component failure, which risks equipment damage and personal injury.
These simple suggestions are provided to help minimize your exposure to vessel scale installation hazards.
1. Safety Backup
If failure of one or more load cell hardware assemblies could
cause injury or damage, a safety backup (safety chains, safety
rods, etc.) must be used. Also, the assemblies should be
inspected routinely for damage, excessive wear or corrosion,
and replaced if necessary.
2. Estimating Gross Load
To select the correct load cell or load cell hardware for a given
application, it is necessary to know the total weight on the
scale, including the net weight of product, the tare weight of
the vessel, and the weight of the platform, tank or hopper, as
appropriate.
3. Safe Load
Do not exceed the safe load figures listed in this catalog for any
load cell hardware. Where shock loads are present, it may be
necessary to derate these safe load figures depending on the
severity of the shock load.
4. Load Distribution
In multiple load cell applications, make certain that the
weight is evenly distributed between all cells.
5. Threaded Connections
Be sure that all threads of a threaded connection are in
engagement. For example, an eye bolt that is screwed into an
S-type load cell should protrude slightly on the opposite side.
6. Jam Nuts
Lock any threaded connections with a jam nut to prevent
inadvertent disassembly. If a load is suspended from a single
load cell, make sure the load cannot rotate, as this may loosen
the jam nut.
7. Wire Rope Assemblies
With wire rope assemblies, do not twist the rope during assembly
or disassembly. For example, do not remove a frozen nut from one
end of a rope assembly by holding the opposite end.
8. Attachment Points of a Load Cell
Hardware Assembly
Ensure that the attachment points of a load cell hardware
assembly are aligned properly and that the assembly is essen-
tially vertical.
9. Swaying in a Suspended Vessel Scale
If there is excessive swaying in a suspended vessel scale, apply
horizontal checking to reduce the amplitude.
10. Hopper Scales: Guarding Against
Contamination
With hopper scales, guard against contamination of the prod-
uct being weighed as a result of the failure of the load cell or
hardware assembly. For example, do not locate a wire rope
assembly over a hopper scale where broken strands of wire
could fall into the weighing vessel, contaminating the product
being weighed.
11. Selecting Steel Rod or Any Other Weight-
Bearing Components
Select steel rod or any other weight-bearing components so
that their minimum tensile strength is at least four times the
total weight carried by that component. Note that threaded
rod is generally made from a low tensile strength mild steel
which should be checked for tensile strength before use in any
suspended vessel scale.