What Makes Scales Inaccurate?

Scales become inaccurate on both the personal use level and the industrial level. They are constantly challenged by a myriad of factors that force them to need maintenance, repairs, and replacements in some cases. Here are some tips on how to check in on your own scale accuracy, what’s causing inconsistencies, and what to do next.

How does a Scale Function?

With pressurized air, the scales balance the weight of the object to offset the weight of the object. This pressure is then gauged and converted straight into a signal for an accurate or inaccurate reading. Fortunately, for the most part, scales are pretty consistent once they’ve been calibrated. However, calibration can also be lost which hurts accuracy again.

Elevation and Air Pressure

Since scales rely so heavily on air pressure for accuracy, elevation and other similar factors will impact the readings. That makes calibration even more necessary, as this could make a major difference financially.

Checking for Accuracy

Level the Scale

Scales that are measuring at a slant or in inconsistent conditions are bound to not read well. You have to keep your scale on a perfectly flat and stable surface for consistent readings. This generally becomes an issue with smaller, personal use scales rather than commercial size scales. However, it’s still important to note, as the conditions affect accuracy in a major way.

Two of the Same Item

Getting two of the same item to weigh at different points in the day is a strong strategy to measure accuracy. Additionally, if you have some kind of control weight that you’ve already confirmed the weight with a different scale that’s working optimally, then you can measure between the two.

Observe Damage

Damage will sprout up in some instances too with both commercial-use scales and personal-use scales. Anything from excess weight, high foot traffic, moisture build-up, and more. Any number of factors can impact the scale and cause it to read improperly or even break.

What Kind of Damage is Most Common for Scales?

Climate-Related

For outdoor commercial use, you’re going to run into climate-related damage often. Anything from snowfall, rain, or extreme heat can all throw off the readings of a scale. While you can’t do much to combat this proactively, you’ll need to keep up on calibrations. The money an accurate scale will save you in the long haul is well worth wallet-friendly calibrations.

Excess Weight

Additionally, despite extreme weight limits in most cases, some scales will run into weight-related damage even from just having high foot traffic as well. You don’t want to put yourself at risk of having the entire system give out, so be sure to stay on top of the weight limitations and avoid over-encumbering the scale as much as possible. Otherwise, it’s fairly common for the scale to need replacement.

Don’t wait to get your scales calibrated or repaired. You could be losing money even today if you have scales that aren’t as accurate as possible. Get reliable scale solutions from Precision Scales Inc. today.

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