Can I run the load cell, signal or other communications cable in the same conduit as other cabling?

Can I run the load cell cables in the same conduit as my 24 VDC digital signal wires and EtherNet cable? Does the milli-volt signal wire need to be shielded?

You may run the load cell cable(s) in the same conduit with Ethernet and 24 VDC as long as the 24 VDC is not used as a switching circuit (relay operation or start-stop operations). Anything over 50 volts is considered high voltage and you should keep high voltage cables at least 3-4 inches away from load cell cables. When you get up to even higher voltages, such as 480 vac, you will need to increase the spacing between these higher voltage cables and your load cell cables. If the load cell cables are too close to high voltage cables they will pick up noise through inductance, affect your weight readings and can cause damage to sensitive controller components.

For AC Power --- A recommendation for communication and signal cable distances would be at least 4 inches of separation per 50 volts AC. For example, if you have 220 volts AC in the same cable tray as your load cell cables, they would need to be at least 12 inches away from each other. For 480 volts AC you would need 24 inches of separation.

For DC Power ---- A recommendation for communication and signal cable distances would be to have at least 2 inches of separation per 50 volts DC. For 100 volts DC you would need 4 inches of separation.

The actual spacing required depends on the voltage levels. If you have noise issues you should isolate the load cell cables as much as possible.

The signal output from a load cell needs to be shielded. Hardy Process Solutions certified C2® load cell cable is recommended. This is an eight conductor cable specially designed single shielded cable for the low voltage excitation, sense, signal, and C2® communications.

Shielding and grounding is also a related critical factor in clean and reliable installations. Please see Answer ID #1337; "How can I verify proper grounding on my weighing system?"

http://hardyinst.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1337/kw/grounding