If the load cell is not powered on for more than one year is there any issue?
yes, leaving a load cell unpowered for more than a year can potentially cause some issues, depending on the storage conditions, load cell type, and manufacturer quality.
Here’s a breakdown of what could happen and what to check before putting it back into service:
⚙️ 1. Electrical and Electronic Effects
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No damage from being unpowered:
Load cells (especially strain gauge types) are passive devices, meaning they don’t require power when not in use — they only draw excitation voltage when measuring. So, being unpowered alone doesn’t harm the strain gauges or wiring. -
However, for load cells with built-in electronics (amplified or digital types):
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The internal amplifiers, A/D converters, or EEPROMs can degrade slightly if stored in poor environmental conditions.
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Electrolytic capacitors inside the electronics can dry out over time, potentially causing signal instability when powered back on.
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🌡️ 2. Environmental Storage Effects
If the load cell was not stored properly, problems may arise:
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Moisture ingress: Can cause corrosion, drift, or short circuits inside the strain gauge or connector.
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Temperature extremes: May cause material fatigue, seal damage, or epoxy cracking.
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Dust or chemical exposure: Contamination may affect strain gauge insulation or bonding.
Tip: Store load cells in a dry, temperature-controlled environment (ideally 20–25 °C and <60% RH) in their original packaging.
🔩 3. Mechanical and Structural Concerns
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Creep or stress relaxation:
If the load cell was stored under load, the internal strain gauges and metal structure could have experienced long-term creep, affecting calibration accuracy.
→ Always store unloaded and free from external stress. -
Corrosion or oxidation:
Over time, exposed metallic surfaces (especially connectors and mounting faces) may oxidize, increasing contact resistance.
⚖️ 4. Before Reuse – Recommended Checks
When putting a load cell back into service after long storage:
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Visual inspection: Look for rust, cracks, or damaged cables.
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Insulation resistance test: Use a megohmmeter between excitation/signal wires and the body (should be >500 MΩ typically).
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Zero balance check: When unloaded, ensure output returns near zero.
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Calibration check: Verify linearity and output accuracy using known weights.
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Temperature stability test: Observe output drift over a few hours at room temperature.
