Balance and Scale Support

Balance troubleshooting

Problems caused by the environment

Air draft: If you can feel an air draft on your skin, there is a good chance it could be affecting your balance. Try to isolate the balance from air draft temporarily with a cardboard box to see if the problem is eliminated. If this solves the problem you can move the balance, redirect the air movement, or purchase a draft chamber.

Static electricity: Static often affects milligram (.001g) and analytical (.0001g) balances; especially during the dry winter months. If your balance doesn’t seem to settle down after the sample is placed and the doors are closed, it might be a sign that static electricity is interfering with your weighing. One way to check for static in your sample is to hold the sample or weigh boat a few millimeters above the pan and see if the balance jumps many divisions. If it does, try to discharge the sample by touching it with your hand for a few seconds. Then place it over the pan again. If the balance does not move, then static was present and was discharged by your hand. To eliminate static you would need to use an eliminations device.

Problems with balance

Problems with the balance can be narrowed down to damage or interference. The first step is to make sure there is nothing interfering with the pan itself. Carefully removed the pan and look for debris underneath and in the hole for the pan stem. If there is nothing noticeable, then proceed to run some basic tests.

Repeatability: This test involves placing a weight on the pan multiple times and noticing how much the readings change. If they change more than 5 counts of resolution there may be a problem with the balance.

Corner load test: Use a weight than is approximately 1/2 the capacity of balance. Place the weight on the center of the pan and tare it off. Proceed to place the weight 1/2 to each side of the pan (9, 12, 3, and 6 O’clock positions). If you see a reading that is outside the 5 counts of resolution there may be a problem with  the balance.

Floor Scale troubleshooting

Scale problems can be narrowed down to either indicator or base problems.

Indicator problems: Without professional diagnostics, the only thing you can do to troubleshoot an indicator is unplug and restart it. Also look closely as the load cell cable for damage.

Base problems: Look underneath the base to make sure there is no debris that could be limiting the movement of the scale. Also make sure the base isn’t rocking because a foot is out of adjustment.
Lastly, stand over each of the corners and notice how much the weight changes. If it changes more than a few counts of resolution, then you may have a problem with the base.