Strain gauge, hydraulic and other load cells are critical for force measurement in large scale, remote projects. But it’s important to recognise that not all units are built for the harsh climates of Western Australia’s regions.

This article explains how our consultants deploy these sensors in a way that protects them (and their data) against real world conditions. For more information, get in touch.

WA’s Most Common and Complex Environmental Challenges

Extreme Temperatures and Climate Events

Remote sites, particularly in the Kimberley and Pilbara, face high day time temperatures with rapid drops at sunset. These fluctuations are capable of impacting load cell readings and signal integrity, compromising the long term reliability of your data.

Water, Dust and Other Corrosives

Cell exposure to corrosive substances is an obvious risk. Common dangers include saltwater, groundwater, dust and chemicals from industrial sites. All can damage electronic components and calibration without suitably robust housing.

Mechanical Vibration and Impact

Continual vibration and shock can cause drift and failure in load cells. Blasting and heavy equipment use can easily lead to this if sensors are not installed properly.

Choosing the Right Load Cell for Your Site

Monitel consultants have a deep knowledge of the Western Australian environment and will choose load cells that address your site’s specific challenges. Our range includes:

Hydraulic Load Cells

These are ideal for corrosive and electrically noisy sites. They have no electronics at the sensing point, so are highly resistant to interference and belligerent substances. Our team has used them in tailings dam walls and underground structures, amongst other scenarios.

Strain Gauge Load Cells

In structural and transport infrastructure monitoring, strain gauge load cells offer high precision data in a compact footprint. Monitel installs them with protective coating and hardy enclosures to account for any adverse conditions.

Vibrating Wire Load Cells

These sensors are less vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and moisture ingress. That makes them an ideal option for long term monitoring or where data loggers are difficult to integrate.

How We Install Load Cells to Ensure Maximum Performance in Unforgiving Conditions

Selecting Site Appropriate Housing and Cabling

All Monitel systems are designed with climate protection in mind. Enclosures range from junction boxes to fully submersible units and are selected based on your site’s exposure risk. All cabling is routed to avoid common problems like vibration, sharp turns and chemical exposure.

Using Protective Potting and Mounting Systems

When installing a strain gauge system, our consultants carefully pot load cells to ensure they are fixed and stable. This minimises strain unrelated to the measurement objective (the most common cause of signal noise).

Implementing Temperature Compensation as Necessary

Many sensors come with integrated temperature correction, but where they don’t, Monitel will advise on a sensor that suits your site’s thermal profile and will incorporate compensating factors as needed.

Integrating Remote Logging and Alarms

Difficult climates make manual readings dangerous, if not impossible. All of our load cells are compatible with standard data loggers and can be programmed to trigger notifications when set thresholds are exceeded.

Additional Support for Long Term Success

Our load cell services go far beyond installation. We also offer:

Advice on system design and sensor selection
Ongoing calibration and maintenance
Remote diagnostics for system performance
Customised data dashboards and reporting tools

We pride ourselves on our product and brand agnostic approach. We are not tied to any one sensor or company and will always select the units that are effective and reliable for your site.

Get in Touch to Arrange Strain Gauge, Hydraulic or Other Load Cell Monitoring

Installing a load cell in an unforgiving climate isn’t just about picking the most rugged product. It’s about designing an effective system, installing it correctly and having access to ongoing maintenance and support.

Monitel provides operators across Western Australia with load cell monitoring systems, designed for harsh conditions and backed by local knowledge.

To enquire about the price and availability of strain gauge and other load cells, speak with our team.

Installation in Harsh Environments: How We Ensure Maximum Performance for Strain Gauge and Other Load Cells