Determining if a force sensor is damaged can be done through a comprehensive analysis of three aspects: visual inspection, signal detection, and professional testing, to quickly locate the problem.
Obvious Deformation (Bending or Crack):
If the elastic body of the force sensor shows visible bending, cracks, or severe deformation, it indicates overload or mechanical damage, which is generally irreparable and requires immediate replacement.
Abnormal Output Signal:
Over-range output: Within the normal force range, the signal output exceeds the sensor's calibrated range, possibly indicating damage to the internal strain gauge or circuitry.
Severe signal fluctuations: Irregular fluctuations or excessive noise that persists even after interference elimination suggests a loss of sensor stability.
Excessive Zero-point Drift:
Use a multimeter to measure the millivolt output of a four-wire sensor (red and black for power, green and white for signal):
With no load, the voltage at the signal terminal (green and white line) should be close to 0mV;
If the zero-point drift is > 0.2mV, it can be preliminarily determined that the sensor is overloaded or damaged. 4. Professional Diagnosis and Manufacturer Retesting: The sensor is sent back to the manufacturer for full performance retesting using a standard pressure tester and resistance meter. This will determine if the sensor is repairable. If linearity, repeatability, or insulation performance cannot be restored, it is considered permanently damaged.