5-9
Troubleshooting for Load Cells
Product Support: www.instron.com
4. A first level limit warning displays on the computer.
5. Repeat Step 3 moving the limit stop another 3 mm (1/8 in) in the same direction.
6. A second level limit warning and frame disabled warning displays on the computer.
The frame disabled warning indicates that the limit stops are working correctly. If the
frame disabled warning does not display, contact your local Instron service office for
assistance.
After testing the limit stops, you need to re-enable the load frame.
1. In Bluehill software, click in the console area to open the Load Frame Settings dialog.
2. Click the Frame tab.
3. Click Enable frame.
4. Click Done to close the dialog box. The
FRAME READY light on the control panel
illuminates when the frame is enabled.
Troubleshooting for Load Cells
Instron load cells, in general, are electrically calibrated, self-identifying and rationalized.
Approximate resistances are given that can verify a possible broken gauge, or a faulty
connector or cable.
If a strain gauge in a cell has been badly overstressed, but still maintains its electrical
continuity, the cell may show a higher than normal amount of creep. If a gauge has become
improperly bonded due to degradation in use, the cell may exhibit a combination of general
instability in its balance point, together with a large amount of creep. Difficulties of this sort
rarely appear as an instability in the calibration of the cell.
If a load cell has been overloaded, the load-sensitive member may be permanently deformed
to the extent that the proper dimensional alignments inside the cell are no longer maintained.
For example, if the position of the central spindle is changed, this can result in the balance
point shifting abruptly as the cell is loaded or unloaded.
To check the load cell, substitute another cell to re-check the test results carefully. If your
results differ significantly from the original test results, then the original load cell may be
damaged. However, many of the symptoms described above can also arise from a faulty load
sensor conditioner, recorder, or possibly a mechanical adjustment.
If you suspect that a cell may be damaged, contact your local Instron Service office to
arrange returning the load cell for analysis and possible repair.
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