Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

Load Cell Central Phone: 1-570-265-5015

P. O. Box 91 / 216 Main St. Fax: 1-570-265-5148
Monroeton, PA 18832 1 Email: [email protected]
Toll Free: 1-800-LOADCEL / 1-800-562-3235 Web: www.800loadcel.com
Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

Table of Contents
The Strain Gauge Load Cell ............................................... 3

Functions of the LCT01 ..................................................... 4

LCT01 Tests Performed ............................................... 4
Approximated Linearity Test .......................................... 5
Weighing Platform Balancing ........................................ 5

LCT01 Parts Identification ................................................ 5

Battery Installation ............................................................ 6

LCT01 Test Procedure ....................................................... 7

Attach Load Cell Wires .................................................. 7
Load Cell Type .............................................................. 7
Load Cell Output Rate ................................................... 8
Start Test ....................................................................... 8
Dynamic Test ................................................................. 8

LCT01 Test Results ........................................................... 9

Input / Output Test ......................................................... 9
Shield / Ground Test .................................................... 10
Sense Pos. / Sense Neg. Test ..................................... 10
(6-wire load cells only)
Signal Output Test ....................................................... 11

Load Cell Color Wiring Guide .......................................... 12

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

The Strain Gauge Load Cell

Strain gauge weighing is based on the measurement of the deformation

of metal as a result of compression, tension, flexion, shearing or
torsion. Weight placed on a strain gauge load cell deforms its compo-
nent metal spring elements, and the deformation of these thin metal
filaments is measured by sensor elements, or strain gauges. The strain
gauges, usually four or a multiple of four, are connected into a Wheat-
stone bridge configuration (Figure 1) in order to convert the very small
change in resistance into a usable electrical signal. In addition, passive
components such as resistors and temperature dependent wires are
used to compensate and calibrate the bridge output signal.

Consider the example of an axial type load cell, which usually consists
of a hollow or solid cylindrical shaft and four strain gauges mounted
around the circumference. The strain gauges are mounted and con-
nected to form a Wheatstone bridge circuit. The basic relation of Stress
= Load/Area (s = P/A) and Strain = Stress/Young’s module (e = s/E) can
be used to determine the strain under different loads.

Figure 1: Typical Full-Bridge Electrical Circuit for a Six-Wire Load

Cell

Rg Strain Gauge Rt Temperature Compensation Resistor

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

The relation between the applied load and the output signal may be
found by calibration: applying known loads and measuring the resultant
output voltage. The resulting curve in most load cells is almost linear,
and this calibration allows for the conversion of the output signal to its
source: the applied load.

Consider the example of a load cell with a rated output of 2 mV/V, and a
maximal load of 10 kg. If the output signal with no load is 0, feeding the
load cell with 10 V excitation voltage will result in an output signal of 20
mV when the applied load is 10 kg. Since the output signal is linearly
proportional to the load applied, a 5 kg load would give an output signal
of 10 mV.

In every load cell the rated output, the available excitation voltage, and
the maximal load are defined in the manufacturer’s specification.

Functions of the LCT01

The LCT01 is a hand-held, easy-to-use device which requires no

special training or expertise to operate. The LCT01 tests either four-wire
or six-wire load cells, covering the whole range of load cell output.

The LCT01 supplies a quick initial evaluation for all types of strain
gauge load cells. Due to its portability and design, the LCT01 is useful
not only in laboratories, but also on-site in hard-to-access locations.
The load cell can be tested without being removed from the installation.

LCT01 Tests Performed

1. Resistance between the Exc+ (INPUT+) and Exc- (INPUT-) lines

2. Resistance between the Sig+ (OUTPUT+) and Sig- (OUTPUT-) lines
3. Resistance between the cable shield and all other lines
4. Resistance between the load cell body to all lines
5. Dynamic test of the load cell, including
• Voltage feeding in load cell input
• Measuring load cell output voltage
• The output voltage represented as a percentage of the voltage that
the tested load cell should produce at maximal load
6. Resistance between the Exc+ (INPUT+) and Sense+ lines
(six-wire load cells only)
7. Resistance between the Exc- (INPUT-) and Sense- lines
(six-wire load cells only)

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

Approximated Linearity Test

The LCT01’s dynamic test reports the current load as a percentage of

the maximal load. Using this figure you may perform an approximated
linearity test of the load cell by testing the load cell with various loads
and comparing the ratio between the reported percentages with the
ratio of the loads.

For example, if the output signal displayed by the LCT01 is 26% for a
10 kg load cell, increasing the load by 1 kg (10% of the 10 kg
maximal load) should add 10% to the displayed output signal.
If the load cell is functioning correctly, the expected output signal for a
1 kg load should therefore be 36%.

Weighing Platform Balancing

When a load must be homogeneously distributed among several load

cells, the LCT01 may be easily used for balancing the scale.

LCT-01 Parts Identification

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

Battery Installation

The LCT01 is powered by four standard AA batteries. Because power

is supplied to the load cell only during the dynamic test (for one second)
the batteries should last for over 500 hours of testing.

If the LCT01 is idle for five minutes it will automatically shut down.
Previously entered load cell characteristics, as well as the last test
results, are maintained in memory until the unit shuts down.

Note: To reuse the previous load cell characteristics press the Scroll
Down button periodically in order to restart the five-minute countdown.
When the batteries need replacing you will see the following message
on the LCD Display:

LOW BATTERY
REPLACE BATTERY !

Note: Maintain proper polarity when inserting batteries.

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

LCT01 Test Procedure

Follow the procedure below to test your load cell. You will find it useful
to have the load cell specification sheet available.

When several load cells are connected in parallel, such as in a weigh-

ing platform, the LCT01 will test the entire installation by connecting it
directly to the summing box. To check the functioning of each load cell,
the test should be performed on each load cell individually.

Attach Load Cell Wires

Attach load cell wires according to the wiring code provided by the
manufacturer (refer to page 2 for the color wiring guide). When the
wires are connected, press the ON/OFF button.

You will see the following screen as the LCT01 performs its self-test.

LOAD CELL TESTER

Note: If the screen is blank or if you see a low battery warning replace
batteries.

Load Cell Type

Next you will be prompted for the load cell characteristics.

LOAD CELL TYPE?

4 or 6 Wires 4 ↵

The LCT01 will ask if you are testing a four-wire or six-wire load cell.
Six-wire load cells include Sense+ and Sense- (used to detect the
voltage drop along the wire) which run in parallel to the Input+ and
Input- wires.

Press the Scroll Up key to change the default answer. When the display
is correct, press the Enter key.

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

Load Cell Output Rate

Load cell output ranges between 1 mV/V and 5 mV/V (most common
being 2 mV/V and 3 mV/V), depending on the model and type of load
cell. The output rate scales the voltage transmitted by the load cell in
the Signal lines which is used in the Output Signal result.
The default Load Cell Output is 2.0 mV/V. Adjust the rated output
according to the load cell specification sheet by pressing the Scroll Up
or Scroll Down key. The value will change in increments of 0.1 mV.
Press the Enter key to accept the displayed output.

L/C RATED OUTPUT

(2.0 Mv/v) ↵

Start Test

The LCT01 will now ask you to make sure that the wires are con-
nected. Press the Enter key to begin the test.

WIRES CONNECTED?
PRESS ↵ TO START

Dynamic Test

After pressing the Enter key, the LCT01 will perform the dynamic test.

TEST IN PROGRESS
PLEASE WAIT . . .

When the test is over you will see the following screen:

* END OF TEST *
....................

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

After approximately one second this screen is replaced by the screen

below:

PRESS TO SCROLL
PRESS ↵ TO START

Press the Scroll Up key to view the test results, or press Enter to run
another test.

Note: The load cell characteristics you set in the first test stay in
memory until the LCT01 is turned off or powers down after five minutes
of inactivity.

LCT01 Test Results

If the LCT01 finds results that definitely indicate faulty load cell
function, the Alarm LED will flash, a short beep will sound, and the
atypical result will blink in the relevant results screen.

Note: Absence of an alarm does not indicate that the load cell is
functioning properly. Always compare the LCT01 results with the data
sheet of your load cell.

Input / Output Test

INPUT = 351Ω
OUTPUT = 412Ω

Input

Measured Value Resistance between cable shield and all lines

Tested Function The sum of load cell and cable resistance
Result* A result above 10 M Ohms usually indicates
normal function.
Minimum / Maximum Value 0.01 M Ohms / 10 M Ohms
Blinking Display Resistance less than 10 M Ohms

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

Ground

Measured Value Resistance between load cell body and all lines
Tested Function The sum of load cell and cable resistance
Result* A result above 10 M Ohms usually indicates
normal function.
Minimum / Maximum Value 0.01 M Ohms / 10 M Ohms
Blinking Display Resistance less than 10 M Ohms

*Note: If the reason for testing the load-cell was a non-stable, or drifting result, it
is recommended to check the resistance between the shield and lines with a
device suitable for checking up to 1000 M Ohms.

Sense Pos. / Sense Neg. Test (6-wire load cells only)

SENSE POS. <1Ω

SENSE NEG. <1Ω

Sense Pos.

Measured Value Resistance between Exc+ and Sense +lines

Tested Function Feedback of positive input voltage
Result* Low resistance (depending on cable length) is
normal
Minimum / Maximum Value 0.1 Ohms / 99 Ohms
Blinking Display Resistance less than 10 M Ohms

Sense Neg.

Measured Value Resistance between Exc+ and Sense +lines

Tested Function Feedback of positive input voltage
Result* Low resistance (depending on cable length) is
normal
Minimum / Maximum Value 0.1 Ohms / 99 Ohms
Blinking Display Resistance higher than 10 M Ohms

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Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

Signal Output Test

SIGNAL OUTPUT
EQUIVALENT +9%

Signal Output

Measured Value Voltage between Sig+ and Sig- lines

Tested Function Voltage of load cell output
Result* The measured voltage is represented as a
percentage of the full scale based on the load
cell output rate (in mV/V) specified by the user
when defining load cell characteristics (see
page 2)
Blinking Display a Beyond +/-100%
b As a result of a failure in previous tests.
The LCT01 will display “CAN NOT MEASURE”
Blinking Display Resistance less than 500 Ohms or more than
8K Ohms

Example

If a load cell’s maximum load is 100 kg, applying a 10 kg load during a test
should give a 10% change in the result

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 Model LCT01 Load Cell Tester Manual

Load Cell Color Wiring Guide (Manufacturers often change color codes: contact Load Cell Central to be sure)

Manufacturer +Exc. -Exc. +Signal -Signal +Sense -Sense Screen

Artech Red Black Green White Bare
A& D Engineering Red White Green Blue Yellow
Allegany Green Black White Red Bare
Alphatron Red Black Green White Bare
Bongshin Red White Green Blue Yellow
Beowulf Green Black White Red Bare
BLH Green Black White Red Yellow
Cardinal Red Black Green White Bare
Digi Green Black White Red Bare
Electroscale Red Black Green White Bare
Evergreen Green Black White Red Bare
Flintab Green Black White Red Yellow
General Sensor Red Black Green White Bare
Genisco Red Black Green White Bare
GSE Red Black White Green Bare
HBM Green Black White Red Yellow
HBM (PLC SBE) Red Black Green White Yellow
Huntleigh Green Black Red White Blue Brown Bare
Interface Red Black Green White Bare
Kubota Red White Green Blue Yellow
LeBow Red Black Green White Bare
National Green Black White Red Yellow
NCI Red Black White Green Yellow Blue Bare
Nikkei Red Black Green White Bare
Ormond Red Black Green White Bare
PT Red Black Green White Brown Blue Bare
Phillips Red Blue Green Gray Bare
Revere Green Black White Red Orange
Rice Lake Red Black Green White Bare
Scaime (AG) Brown Green Yellow White Gray Pink Bare
Sensortronics Red Black Green White Bare
Sensortronics (60007) Green Black White Red Yellow
Sensotec Red Black White Green Bare
Strainsert Red Black Green White Bare
Omegadyne Red Black Green White Bare
Tedea Green Black Red White Blue Brown Bare
Thames Side Red Blue Green Yellow Bare
Toledo Green Black White Red Yellow
Totalcomp Red Black Green White Bare

Load Cell Central Phone: 1-570-265-5015

P. O. Box 91 / 216 Main St. 12 Fax: 1-570-265-5148
Monroeton, PA 18832 Email: [email protected]
Toll Free: 1-800-LOADCEL / 1-800-562-3235 Web: www.800loadcel.com