Maintaining the accuracy of a scale is crucial for anyone who relies on precise measurements for their work or daily life. An inaccurate scale can lead to errors in freight loads, incorrect dosages of medication, or inaccurate readings in laboratory experiments. Therefore, it is important to understand how to keep your scale accurate and calibrate it regularly. In this article, we will discuss the steps you can take to keep your scale accurate and extend its lifespan.
How to Keep Your Scale Accurate:
Step 1: Keep your scale clean
One of the easiest ways to keep your scale accurate is by keeping it clean. Over time, dust, dirt, and other debris can accumulate on your scale, affecting its accuracy. To clean your scale, you can use a soft cloth or a microfiber towel to wipe the surface and remove any dirt or debris. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or brushes, as they can scratch the surface of your scale and cause damage.
Depending on the scale you are cleaning will determine how you clean the scale. For example, when cleaning a truck scale you won’t be able to use a micro fiber towel seeing as how the scale will be too large. You would want to use a high powered pressure washer to rid the scale of debris. Setting a good daily, weekly and monthly cleaning schedule and following it will help keep your scale accurate.
Step 2: Store your scale properly
When not in use, store your scale in a cool, dry place to protect it from moisture and humidity. Moisture can damage the delicate components inside the scale and cause it to malfunction. You should also store your scale in a protective case or cover to prevent dust and debris from accumulating on the surface.
This applies to smaller scales like bench, counting and lab scales. Storing these scales in a safe space will prevent dust and debris from getting into the load cells and circuitry.
Step 3: Calibrate your scale regularly
Calibrating your scale regularly is essential to ensure its accuracy. Calibration involves comparing the readings on your scale to a known weight to ensure that it is measuring accurately. You can purchase calibration weights online or from a certified scale dealer like American Scale. Calibration weights come in a variety of sizes and weights, so be sure to choose the appropriate weight for your scale.
To calibrate your scale, follow these steps:
Turn on your scale and wait for it to display the zero reading.
Place the calibration weight on the scale and wait for it to stabilize.
Compare the weight displayed on the scale to the weight of the calibration weight. If the readings match, your scale is accurate. If they do not match, you will need to adjust your scale according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 4: Avoid overloading your scale
Avoid overloading your scale as this can cause it to malfunction and affect its accuracy. Most scales have a maximum weight limit, so be sure to check the manufacturer's specifications and follow the recommended weight limit. Overloading your scale can cause damage to the internal components, leading to inaccuracies in measurements.
There are instances where scales are overloaded and in turn damage the load cells. When purchasing a scale or replacement load cells be sure to check the max capacity listed. Choosing the wrong capacity could cause you to overload and damage your scale.
Step 5: Handle your scale with care
Handle your scale with care to prevent damage to the delicate components. Avoid dropping your scale or placing heavy objects on it. Also, be careful when moving your scale, as jarring movements can affect its accuracy. If you need to move your scale, be sure to place it in a protective case or cover to prevent damage.
In environments like warehouses and shipping facilities, which often use forklifts to load items onto floor scales. It is common for those scales to get damaged due to worksite hazards, collisions with forklifts and just careless handling. Remember to taky care of your scale.
Closing Words
Maintaining the accuracy of your scale is essential for anyone who relies on precise measurements. By following these simple steps, you can keep your scale accurate and extend its lifespan. Remember to keep your scale clean, store it properly, calibrate it regularly, avoid overloading it, and handle it with care. By doing so, you can ensure that your scale provides accurate measurements for years to come.
At American Scale we strive to bring you informed and useful content on all things scale related. Be sure to check out our articles on scale systems, scale maintenance and the different scale types. These articles will help with the basics of scale ownership. Also, take a look at our “Common Problems With Bench Scales'', which can help give insight to what issues could arise while owning a bench scale.