In the world of silo weighing and bulk weighing, we at Weighing Experts are often asked the same question:
“Our measurement is no longer correct – are the load cells faulty?”
A logical thought, but in practice rarely the right conclusion.
With silo weighing and bulk weighing systems, the cause of deviations usually does not lie with the load cells, but with external influences on the installation.
In this blog we explain where things really go wrong when weighing silos and bulk goods – and how you can prevent these problems.
Silo weighing and bulk weighing: measuring is more than just weight
In silo weighing, load cells measure not only the weight of the product, but all forces acting on the silo.
Think of:
- mechanical stresses
- pipework and connections
- temperature effects
- wind and vibrations
👉 This means that even small external influences have a direct effect on the accuracy of your silo weighing system.
1. Rigid pipework disrupts your silo weighing
One of the biggest causes of problems in silo weighing is the use of rigidly mounted pipework.
When weighing silos, this pipework must be able to move freely. Rigid connections cause:
- tensile forces on the silo
- extra load on the load cells
- deviations in the measurement
👉 Practical advice:
Always use flexible couplings in bulk weighing and silo weighing to ensure a reliable measurement.
2. Temperature effects in silo weighing
With bulk storage in silos, temperature differences play a major role. Materials expand and contract, which causes stresses in the structure.
This leads to:
- uneven loading of the load cells
- inaccurate measurements
- drift in the weighing signal
👉 Particularly with:
- silos installed outdoors
- hot or cold bulk processes
this is an important cause of measurement deviations.
3. Vibrations affect bulk weighing systems
Installations for bulk weighing often include conveyors, vibratory feeders and other mechanical systems. These cause vibrations that disrupt the measurement.
Consequences for your silo weighing system:
- unstable readings
- measurement noise
- lower reproducibility
👉 Solution:
Where possible, weigh at standstill or use filtering in your weighing indicator or PLC.
4. Outdoor installation and environmental influences
With outdoor silo weighing, the influence of weather conditions is often underestimated.
Think of:
- wind load
- rainwater or snow build-up
- temperature changes
These factors directly affect the accuracy of your bulk weighing systems.
👉 This is a common cause of deviations when weighing bulk goods in silos.
5. Cabling and signal problems
With silo weighing systems, too, we regularly see problems of an electrical nature.
Common causes:
- damaged cables
- poor shielding
- moisture in junction boxes
Consequences:
- unstable signals
- incorrect measurements
- system faults
👉 Important:
Use high-quality cabling and ensure good sealing for reliable silo weighing.
Why this is crucial for accurate silo weighing
In silo weighing and bulk weighing, it is not just about the quality of the load cells, but about the installation as a whole.
A good silo weighing system only works optimally if the mechanical conditions are right:
- free movement of the silo
- minimal external forces
- correct mounting of the load cells
Conclusion: optimise your silo weighing system
Having problems with your silo weighing or bulk weighing systems? Then the chances are that the cause lies not in the sensors, but in the installation.
By paying attention to:
- the mechanical construction
- environmental influences
- correct installation
you can significantly improve the performance of your silo weighing.
Advice on silo weighing?
Would you like to optimise your silo weighing system, or are you experiencing deviations in your measurements?
Visit 👉 https://www.weighingexperts.co.uk
or contact our specialists directly.
We help you with practical advice and provide a reliable and accurate solution for silo weighing and bulk weighing.