Glossary of Scale / Weighing Related Terms

Accuracy
This term is often used interchangeably with readability, increments and graduations which is not entirely correct. Most (not all) of our scales on this site are accurate to 0.1 of 1 percent. Accuracy is the ability to display a value that matches the ideal value for a known weight. Do not confuse this term with readability, increments, or graduations. Remember, it is the responsibility of you the end user to determine what capacity and readability you need for your particular task. That is why we list the Capacity x Readability for each scale or balance that we offer in the product description.

Battery power
The balance or scale are said to be battery powered when the units are operated using batteries. The battery powered units are portable and hence are often suitable for field applications.

Backlit display
The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) of some balances is designed to have a backlight for easy reading of weighing results.

Calibration
The procedure to force the scale to display a certain value for a known standard mass. Then any other item that is weighed will be determined using the calibration standard as the reference.

Capacity
The maximum weight that can be placed on the scale or balance. When you see the numbers listed on our website such as: 5000 x 1 lbs, the 5000 is the capacity of the scale 5000 pounds. Remember, it is the responsibility of you the end user to determine what capacity and readability you need for your particular task.

Check Weighing
To compare a weight against under / over limits to determine if the weight is within preset limits or a target value.

Divisions / Graduations
The amount of graduations for a scale can be determined by taking the scale capacity and dividing the scale readability into the capacity.

External Calibration
The calibration process of a balance using a known external weight often referred to as suggested calibration weight.

GLP
Good Laboratory Practice or GLP generally refers to a system of management controls for laboratories and research organizations to ensure the consistency and reliability of results. The laboratory balances facilitate GLP Print outs with traceability in terms of date, time, balance ID number, etc.

Increment
These terms are often used interchangeably to indicate how well a scale displays the correct results. Increment is the value of the finest division of the scale display. For example, if a balance is listed as 4000g x 1g. The increments the scale goes up/down in are 1 gram increments. Remember, it is the responsibility of you the end user to determine what capacity and readability you need for your particular task.

Internal Calibration
The calibration process using an internal weight available inside the balance for automatic calibration as on when desired by the user.

Internal Rechargeable Battery
The digital scales are often powered from an internal battery which is recharged when it is connected to the main power supply adapter which is almost always provided.

Linearity
The ability of a scale or balance to show the correct value throughout the weighing range from low to high. Usually tested by placing known weights on the balance from near zero to full capacity.

Load Cells
An item used to determine mass using a component that is slightly bent by the addition of an unknown mass. The amount of bending is measured by special resistors mounted on the load cell.

NSF Scales
NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Company™, has been serving the world community for more than 50 years in the fields of standards development, product certification and registration and educational services for public health and safety. The NSF Mark has become an international symbol for quality assurance and is respected by health officials worldwide. NSF is accredited by ANSI and OSHA in the United States, and by the SCC in Canada. Several items we carry are NSF certified, however there is no certificate or number with a NSF scale.

NTEP / Legal for Trade
An official NTEP Certificate of Conformance is issued by NCWM following successful completion of the evaluation and testing of a device. This Certificate indicates that the device meets applicable requirements for commercial weighing and measuring equipment in the U.S. The National Type Evaluation Program in association with the National Conference on Weights and Measures has certified certain scale models as approved for selling products by weight. When you order a NTEP Legal for Trade Scale, each model is calibrated at the factory or our warehouse before shipping. But, because of the specific environmental factors and state regulations of your area, you need to contact the Weights & Measures Bureau in your state to come out and put a current year sticker & proper seal on your scale.

Off Center Loading
The ability to display the same value when a weight is placed anywhere on the weighing platform. Tested by weighing in the center of 4 quadrants on the platform. Also called eccentric loading or shift test.

Parts Counting
Using a counting scale to determine the number of parts placed on the platform based upon the average piece weight. The piece weight is either entered by the user or determined by weighing a sample on the scales.

Percent Weighing
Using a balance to determine the weight of an item as a percentage of a reference weight.

Readability
These terms are often used interchangeably with increments or graduations to indicate how well a scale displays the correct results. Readability is the value of the finest division or graduation of the scale display. On our website if you see 5000 x 1 lbs listed. 1 pound is the readability of the scale. Remember, it is the responsibility of you the end user to determine what capacity and readability you need for your particular task.

Repeatability
The ability to display the same value when a weight is placed on a scale more than one time. Often expressed as a standard deviation of 5 to 10 tests. Also called reproducibility.

RS-232
A method of sending data over serial interface wires. Often used to communicate between digital indicators to printers or computers.

Tare
To set a display to show zero weight. This is used to remove the weight of any packing or containers so that only the weight of the material within the container is shown. The Tare value is deleted from the remaining weight that can be added to a scale.

Washdown Scales
Washdown scales are extremely more water resistant than non washdown models. Washdown scales cannot be immersed but may be washed off with care. They are usually IP65 and NEMA 4X compliant or better.

Weighing Units
The scale or balance can be set to display the weight of an unknown mass in various weighing units such as Grams, Kilograms, Milligrams, Pounds, Ounces, Carats, Grains, Newtons, etc...the number of weighing units available varies greatly from scale to scale.

Weight
A weight is any mass that is used to put on the scale.

Zero
To set the display to show zero weight. Used to reset the zero condition of a scale when small amounts of material are on the platform. Zero does not take away from the capacity of a scale.