This articles acts as a glossary helping you to select the best weighing scales for you.
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Accuracy
The degree to which a measurement relates to its actual (true) value. Accuracy is a hot topic of debate in the weighing industry as the usage of the term varies between weighing professionals. The accuracy of a weighing device can only be determined by direct testing of the device at its intended location of use. Usually when the term accuracy is applied to scales, the intended meaning is inaccuracy. We personally test each and every scale to ensure that it is consistently accurate and meets our high level of standards before offering the scales to our customers.
Backlit Display
A backlit display lights up the results of the scale for quick and easy readability. A digital LCD display uses little energy (low battery use) and cleanly presents the mass weight.
Calibration
The calibration of a scale is essentially the setting the accuracy of a scale. Digital scales often have a pre-set auto calibration corresponding to an included weight. Basically, calibration is the process of weighing a known weight on a scale and noting the discrepancy (if any) on the display. This allows you to reset the accuracy is a scale is not weighing objects correctly.
Capacity
This is the maximum weight that can be measured using a particular scale. When selecting a scale, the heaviest item you plan to weigh should be within the scale’s maximum capacity limits. It is a good idea to select a scale with slightly more capacity than you will need to avoid overloading.
Count
Counting features on a scale allows you to set a weight and increase or decrease the overall weight based off your set count. Example: Setting a scale to count in 14 gram increments then loading 12.2g of mass on the scale. It will display 1.8g indicating how close you are to the count. A counting scale is used to weigh multiple objects of uniform weight and display a total piece count.
Memory
The memory of the scale refers to remembering which unit (g, oz, kg, lb, etc) you last weighed with. No need to constantly adjust your scales setting as those with memory will turn on to the last unit you used.
Readability
On electronic and digital scales, this is the smallest change in displayed value. This is the amount that the scale will increment by as weight is added or removed. Example: an object weighing 3.14159 with 0.1g readability will display “3.1” on the scale. This is not to be confused with accuracy. Readability is where the scale rounds off to.
Sources of common scale errors
Environmental factors such as uneven or moving surfaces, air currents or drafts, and extreme temperatures are the top 3 reasons scales give inaccurate readings. Low batteries can cause a digital scale to operate improperly as well.
Tare
A mechanism (usually a button) designed for determining or balancing out the weight of packing material, containers, vehicles, or other materials that are not intended to be included in net weight determinations. Most electronic scales have a tare button which is used to reset the display value to zero when a container is placed on the weighing plate. Place a container on the weighing area, hit tare, and the scale resets to 0 allowing you to weigh only what is on top of the container.
Tray
Many scale covers double as weighing and expansion trays. Simply flip the covers over, place on the weighing surface and press the tare button. Handy and convenient, having a scale cover that doubles as an extension tray makes weighing objects larger than the size of the weighing platform incredibly simple.
Warranties
Warranties are offered by the respected manufacturers of each product. NHM Distributing does not handle customer warrantees. Refer to each manufacturer’s website for detailed information on obtaining and collecting on warrantees.
My Weigh Digital Scales – 30 Year / Lifetime Warranty
Jennings Digital Scales – 20 Year Warranty
ProScale Digital Scales – 5 Year Warranty
Weighing modes/units
Grams [g], Ounces [oz], Troy Ounces [ozt], Pennyweight [dwt], carats [ct], grains [gn], Pounds [lb]
