Vehicle Scale Systems & Applications Flashcards
7 cards from real CST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Vehicle Scale Systems & Applications flashcards as text
What is the federal maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit for vehicles operating on U.S. interstate highways?
Answer: 80,000 lbs
Federal law limits gross vehicle weight to 80,000 lbs on interstate highways under the Federal Bridge Formula.
What type of foundation is most commonly required for a properly installed pit-mounted truck scale?
Answer: Reinforced concrete with drainage provisions
Pit-mounted truck scales require reinforced concrete foundations with drainage to prevent water accumulation that can damage load cells and electronics.
What is the primary purpose of a summing board (junction box) in a multi-load-cell vehicle scale?
Answer: To combine and balance individual load cell signals into one output
A summing board combines signals from multiple load cells and allows trim resistors to balance the outputs, providing a single accurate signal to the weight indicator.
What is the minimum deck length typically required for a single-draft weighing of a standard 18-wheel tractor-trailer?
Answer: 70 feet
A standard tractor-trailer combination is approximately 70 feet long, requiring a 70-foot deck to ensure the entire vehicle is on the scale during a single-draft weighing.
What is the primary purpose of approach ramps on a truck scale installation?
Answer: To ensure vehicles travel in a controlled, level manner onto the deck preventing shock loading
Approach ramps ensure vehicles transition smoothly and levelly onto the scale deck, preventing shock loading and dynamic errors that would compromise accuracy.
Which type of load cell configuration is most commonly used in modern truck scales?
Answer: Double-ended shear beam
Double-ended shear beam load cells are preferred in truck scales because their symmetric design resists the high lateral and horizontal forces experienced during vehicle weighing.
What does NTEP stand for, and what is its significance for vehicle scales used in commercial trade?
Answer: National Type Evaluation Program; certifies that a scale design meets NIST Handbook 44 requirements for legal-for-trade use
NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) evaluates and certifies that scale designs comply with NIST Handbook 44, making them legal for trade transactions in the United States.