Warmer weather signals the run up to lightning season, so now is the time to make sure your rail and truck scales are prepared. A single lightning strike, or one nearby, can short out the load cells, wires, junction boxes and accessories on your heavy capacity scale. And, let’s face it, with today’s increasingly unpredictable weather, it’s not IF there’s a lightning strike, it’s when. Since your scale is likely the heart of your operation, either inbound or outbound, it’s important to make sure you’re ready for the worst weather or you may face downtime or lost revenue if something happens. Remember, it only takes one strike to take down your entire scale system.
Grounding
First and most importantly, it’s critical to make sure your scale is properly grounded. With a correctly placed and professionally installed grounding system, the current circumvents the electronics in the event of a surge and is harmlessly discharged into the ground. However, unless you happen to be installing a new scale this spring, it’s probably too late. And while grounding is important, it’s not failsafe.
Transient Protection
Several truck and rail scale manufacturers now offer scales and load cells specifically designed to prevent damage from a lightning strike or other electrical surge. These systems, with transient protection, ensure that the excess current is diverted away from the sensitive electronics and wires in the event of a surge. Also, it’s possible to simply upgrade the load cells and wiring on the scale as long as you ensure the replacement equipment is NTEP approved and compatible with the scale. This means you don’t have to replace your larger, costly, awkward hardware, saving time and expense. Cross customer Bison Co-op upgraded their scale ahead of harvest. See how it fared when it took a direct hit shortly afterwards.
Warranties
When upgrading your system or purchasing a new one, pay close attention to the details of the warranty which comes with it. Some cover the load cells, some cover the entire system and all can vary in terms of length of coverage. Most require you to use an authorized distributor for scale installation and regular preventative maintenance or the warranty is not valid. Don’t worry, the scale experts at Cross Precision Measurement can help you specify a system which fits your application, the environment and your budget.
If The Worst Happens
Should your heavy capacity scale go down due to a lightning strike, Cross is here to help. We offer 24/7/365 call service. We immediately dispatch a team of expert technicians to assess the damage. As we usually stock the replacement parts, we can get the repairs done quickly and get your scale recalibrated so you’re back up and running as soon as possible.
How Partnering With Cross Benefits Your Operation
When it comes to metrology and calibration to ensure continuing accuracy, many industrial operations find it difficult to stay on top of everything internally. That’s where Cross Company comes in. At Cross Precision Measurement, we provide industry-leading dimensional calibration services, on-site or in-lab inspection services, metrology equipment repair, and equipment for operations who rely on accurate measurements.
Whether you’re an industrial manufacturer, commercial operation, or even a lab, Cross can help. Our network of ISO 17025 accredited calibration laboratories adhere to standards set by A2LA, NTEP, NCWM, and NIST (specifically, HB44) to ensure consistent quality and accuracy. Our goal is to make sure you’re getting accurate, reliable measurements every time. Contact Cross Precision Measurement today to get started or to talk with our experts about your next project.
