Description
- Model: PFTL101A 1.0KN (Part Number: 3BSE004166R1)
- Brand: ABB (Sweden)
- Series: Pressductor® Pillow Block Load Cells
- Core Function: High-precision measurement of web tension in continuous processing lines (Paper, Steel, Converting).
- Measurement Capacity: 1.0 kN (Nominal Force)
- Product Type: Horizontal Pillow Block Load Cell
- Nominal Force: 1.0 kN (1000 Newtons)
- Measurement Principle: Pressductor® magneto-elastic technology (no strain gauges, extremely rugged).
- Overload Capacity: Up to 10 times nominal force without recalibration.
- Accuracy: ±0.5% of nominal force.
- Material: Stainless steel construction, highly resistant to corrosion and mechanical shock.
- Ingress Protection: IP65 (Protected against dust and water jets).
- Connection: 4-wire shielded cable (requires PFEA or PFEF tension electronics for signal processing).

PFTL101A 1.0KN 3BSE004166R1
Installation & Configuration Guide
Phase 1: Pre-Installation (Estimated time: 30 minutes) ⚠️ Safety First:
- Ensure the web (paper/steel) is at a complete standstill and tension-free.
- Force Orientation: Identify the resultant force vector. The PFTL101A is designed for horizontal force measurement. If your force vector is vertical, you may need a different model (e.g., PFCL series).
- Verify the 1.0 kN rating. Overloading significantly beyond the 10x safety margin can permanently damage the sensor body.
Phase 2: Mounting (Estimated time: 45 minutes)
- Surface Prep: The mounting surface must be flat to within 0.1 mm. Use shims if necessary to prevent “twisting” the load cell frame.
- Alignment: Install the load cell beneath the bearing housing of the sensing roll. Ensure the roll is perfectly parallel to the machine frame to avoid “cross-talk” errors.
- Bolting: Use high-tensile bolts (typically M12 or M16). Torque them to the factory specification to ensure stable measurement.
Phase 3: Wiring (Estimated time: 15 minutes)
- Cable Routing: Use flexible conduit if the machine vibrates. Avoid running the load cell cable parallel to high-voltage motor power lines to prevent EMI.
- Connection: Connect the 4 wires to the ABB PFEA Tension Electronics.
- Brown/White: Excitation
- Green/Yellow: Signal
Phase 4: Calibration & Zeroing (Estimated time: 30 minutes)
- Mechanical Zero: Perform a “Zeroing” procedure on the PFEA electronics with the roll in place but with no web tension.
- Calibration: Use a weight-hanging test (standard weights) or a known tension source to verify the 1.0 kN scaling.
- Verification: Gently push on the roll in the direction of the web and verify that the electronics show a positive increase in tension.
Customer Cases & Industry Applications
Case 1: Paper Mill Wet-End Reliability A paper mill in Canada experienced drifting tension readings on their dryer section, leading to frequent web breaks. The original strain-gauge load cells were failing due to moisture. We supplied a New Surplus PFTL101A 1.0KN (Pressductor type). Because Pressductor technology is immune to moisture and drift, the mill achieved a 15% reduction in web breaks and hasn’t needed to recalibrate in over 18 months.
Case 2: Steel Strip Coating Line Maintenance A steel coating line required precise tension control to ensure uniform coating thickness. A failed 1.0 kN load cell caused a localized “baggy” strip. By utilizing our New Surplus 3BSE004166R1, the plant was able to replace the faulty sensor during a 2-hour scheduled maintenance window, restoring perfect strip tension and avoiding thousands of dollars in rejected material.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does the PFTL101A require a special power supply? A: To be honest, it shouldn’t be connected to a standard power supply. It must be connected to an ABB Pressductor Electronic unit (like the PFEA111 or PFEA112), which provides the specific AC excitation required for the magneto-elastic sensor.
Q: Can I use a 1.0 kN load cell if my tension is only 200 N? A: Yes. Pressductor load cells have excellent resolution. However, for the best accuracy, you should ideally operate between 20% and 90% of the nominal force.
Q: Why is my reading fluctuating even when the machine is stopped? A: This is usually caused by electrical noise (EMI) or a ground loop. Ensure the cable shield is grounded only at the electronics end, and verify that the load cell body is properly bonded to the machine frame.
Q: Is “New Surplus” reliable for heavy industrial use? A: Absolutely. ABB Pressductor sensors are virtually indestructible. “New Surplus” units have no mechanical fatigue and no history of being over-stressed, making them as reliable as a factory-direct unit. We provide a 1-year warranty to guarantee their performance.
Q: What is the difference between PFTL101A and PFTL101B? A: The “A” and “B” usually denote different physical mounting dimensions or connector types. To be honest, you should always match the exact part number (3BSE004166R1) to ensure it fits your existing mounting holes without modification.
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