Dillon Quick Balance Tension Meter - Manual (Page 23)

Quick Balance User Instructions 23
6.3 Loading Error
A tensiometer works by deflecting the cable, which makes the cable path longer than
when a tensiometer is not installed. When the tensiometer is removed, the wire tension
decreases as the cable length is restored. This effect is known as loading error. The
Quick Balance design elongates the cable by a mere 0.08 inch (2 mm), making loading
errors extremely small.
6.4 Non-repeatability
The Quick Balance’s sheave with bearing design provides the best mechanical
performance. It is also superior at detecting tension that is being added or removed.
6.5 Non-linearity
Most three-point tension meters employ only linear characterization and have large
errors at the midpoints (up to 15%). The Quick check uses multi-point segmenting to
correct for non-linearity, reducing it to less than 0.2%.
6.6 Wire Characteristics
Creep Every material including steel exhibits creep under load. It will neck down
over time, quite quickly over the first few seconds and much slower as
time progresses. A wire cable also sees creep from the wire spacing and
wind. This effect is seen as a display that drifts lower after it has been
clamped in line.
Variations Material that varies in diameter or shape will have different output at the
same tension
Strands The best cable assembly is one that is perfectly round, as it will not
change contact geometry with the wire twist. The closer the wire cable
cross section appears to be round, the better the measurement
performance will be.