Laboratory Balances

by Frank Weithner

Laboratory balances or micro-balances are used in hospital laboratories,

pharmaceutical industry, research institutions and schools. They are designed to
determine precisely very small weights. Resolutions of a thousandth of a gram are not
unusual. Laboratory balances are sophisticated and sensitive electromechanical
devices which need special care and knowledge in the usage, maintenance and
repair.

Laboratory balances for

different purposes and
requirements.

In laboratories we usually find two types of balances: The precision balance and the
analytical balance. The difference is the accuracy. Analytical balances are more
precise and thus more expensive.
But progress in electronics in the last years have simplified the usage and made
balances cheaper. Precision balances are available from 400 , analytical balances
from 1,500 .

Balance or scale?
Both, the term balance and weighing scale are used when people talk about the
weighing of masses. Both expressions can be used but in practice the following
definition prevails: Scales are used for weighing larger masses like a bathroom scale
or baby scale and balances are used for precise weighing of substances, as such are
used in laboratories.

Weight or mass?
A bit more tricky is the difference between weight and mass. Both words are used
interchangeably. Strictly speaking we must consider the following facts:
The unit of the mass is the kilogram [kg]. It is equal to the mass of the
international
prototype kilogram and therefore fixed.
The weight is a force which is expressed in the unit Newton [N]. It is the product of
mass
and the earth's gravity. Therefore, the value is not fixed but depending on the
location.

This is important when we think about the different weighing principles. A spring scale
mechanic of a bathroom scale for example measures the distance a spring deflects
under its load. It is influenced by the altitude (force of gravity) and so it measures
the weight.
A laboratory balance measures a mass by comparing a unknown mass with a
reference mass.
Unfortunately we always say, that we measure a weight and use calibration weights
which is strictly spoken not correct: A balance measures a mass.

Technical expressions
When we talk about the balance's specification and measurement features we will
stumble over technical expressions which may not necessarily be clear.
Here are some terms we should know:
Accuracy How close the balance display is to the actual weight of a weighing
sample.
Adjustment Calibration
Calibration The deviation between the measurement value showing in the display
and the true value of the measurement. An adjustment with internal or external
calibration weights should then be made.
Capacity The largest weight the balance is capable of measuring.
Corner load The deviation of the measurement value through off-center loading.
Digit The smallest increment of weight that the digital display resolves.
Drift The drift is the slow change of the readout over a long time and with a
constant load on the balance.
Linearity Deviation from the theoretical linear curve of two variables: The zero
point and the calibrated point close to the maximum capacity.
Ppm Parts per million = 10-6 (e. g. 1 mg of 1 kg)
Readability The precision of a balance. Readability is the smallest difference in
mass that can be displayed by the balance.
Repeatability The ability of the balance to produce the same result with one and
the same load under the same measurement conditions.
Reproducibility Repeatability
Resolution There is no standardized definition. In general it is used to indicate the
readability compare to the maximum capacity of the balance. The resolution is the
quotient of maximum capacity and readability.
Example: An analytical balance with a weighing capacity of 200 g and a readability of
0.1 mg has a resolution of 2,000,000 digits.
Response time Stabilization time
Stabilization time The time it takes from placing the sample on the balance and
displaying the final result of the measurement.
Taring This function sets the display to zero when a load (e.g. an empty container)
is already on the weighing pan. The net weight will be displayed then, after the
container has been filled.
Weighing range Capacity

Types of balances

In laboratories we usually find two different types of balances: The precision balance
and analytical balance. The difference is the accuracy. Analytical balances are more
precise and more expensive. Semi-micro balances and micro balances are even more
precise but not very common in hospital laboratories.
Here the standard readabilities for various balance types:

Type
Precision balance
Analytical balance
Semi-micro balance
Micro balance

Readability
1 mg
0.1 mg
0.01 mg
1 g

0.001 g
0.0001 g
0.00001 g
0.000001 g

or
or
or
or

3 digit
4 digit
5 digit
6 digit

Precision balances
Precision balances are used to measure mass with a precision of up to 1 mg. They are
widely used because their accuracy is high enough for the common measurements.

Precision balances are highly reliable, robust and

compact.

Precision balances are nowadays all microprocessor controlled. That makes the usage
easy and brings more functionality. Beside normal and tare weighing, additional
features are: piece counting, recipe weighing, percentage weighing, change of
weighing units and the connection with other equipment or with a computer via data
interface.
In principle all balances run on low-voltage or battery which is important for
laboratories with unreliable power supply.
Most of the precision balances have no internal calibration weights. For calibration
certified calibration weights of class E2 or better E1 are needed.
Precision balances come in different capacities. Balances of 50 g capacity are available
as well as for 10 kg capacity. The readability of a typical precision balance of 100 g is
1 mg. A 1-kg-balance has a typical readability of 10 mg and a balance for up to 10 kg
50 mg.
The price for a common precision balance is between 100 and 500 .

Analytical balances

Analytical balances are found in laboratories for the manufacture of pharmaceutical

products, analysis, quality assurance or final checking. They are more precise,
sensitive and more expensive. With a readability of 0.1 mg they are ten times more
precise than precision balances.

Analytical balances are covered with a glass

enclosure in order to limit measurement inaccuracy
caused by dust and air flow.

Due to the high resolution analytical balances are also more sensitive to outside
influences like dust and air flow. To avoid these factors, the weighing pan of analytical
balances is protected by a transparent enclosure with sliding doors.
The electronic control units of precision and analytical balances are in principle
identical so that the application possibilities are the same. Also analytical balances
offer piece counting, recipe weighing, percentage weighing, change of weighing units
and a data interface.
The only difference is an additional function: The automated calibration function. That
means, that no external calibration weights are needed to calibrate the balance before
the measurement. A simple press of the calibration button is enough and a built-in
motor-driven adjusting weight will do the calibration.
This function is an enormous advantage over common balances. The calibration
procedure is easier and faster and external weights are not needed and so can not
get damaged.
The price for analytical balances start from 800 .

Using laboratory balances

Thanks to modern electronics, the handling of laboratory balances has become easier
and faster. Nevertheless, the user manual should be read by both the operator and
the technician. The usage varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and navigating
through the menu and additional functions may not be clear immediately. Only who
has read the manual knows about all functions and the right working procedures and
can avoid mistakes.

Preparations
Laboratory balances are sensitive instruments and a reliable measurement can only
be expected when the balance is prepared correctly.

Is the balance exactly levelled? Check the internal spirit level.

Was the balance connected to the mains for at least 4 hours?
Is the balance and the workplace absolutely clean?
Do you know the maximum load? Never overload a balance.

Using procedures
This is just a short overview. By all means, read the user manual of your balance
before.
Do a calibration if needed.
Press the tare key to zero the display.
Weigh powders only on paper or small containers.
Never touch samples or samples containers with your bare fingers. Wear gloves or
use
anti-magnetic forceps.
Place the sample in the centre of the weighing pan.
Close the enclosure before starting the measurement.
Wait until the stability indicator is displayed.
Have you spilled chemicals on the balance? Clean up immediately.

Tare-Function
When a load is already on the balance, pressing the tare-button sets the display to
zero. It is used when a samples comes in a container. First the empty container is
measured, the tare-button is pressed and then the filled container is placed back. The
result is the net weight.

Warm-up time
A laboratory balance should always be connected to the power. Don't disconnect the
balance from the wall socket or power supply. Switch off the balance only with the
key of the keypad. Even when it is switched off and the balance is in standby mode,
the measurement unit is still powered and has the necessary operating temperature.
The balance then can be used immediately after switching on.
If the balance was disconnected from the mains the balance has to warm up for at
least 4 hours before the first weighing. Only then is the measurement accurate and
reproducible.

Cleaning
After every usage and at the end of the day the balance has to be cleaned carefully.
Keep the weighing pan and weighing chamber clean at all times.
Use a fine paintbrush to remove sample residues. If possible remove the weighing
pan for
cleaning.
Use an absorbent cloth to remove spilled liquids.

If there is stain use a damp cloth and a mild soap solution for cleaning. Do not
make the
cloth too wet. Make sure that no moisture enters the balance. Wipe the balance
with a
soft and dry cloth afterwards.
The glass of the weighing chamber of an analytical balance can be cleaned with a
common window cleaner.
Tip! Buy a dust cover for your balance. It is cheap and
helps to protect your expensive balance against dust
and dirt.

User manuals
User manuals are always delivered with the balance. It is wise to copy the manual
and leave one issue close to the equipment and keep one in a file with other technical
manuals in the office or storage room.
If the manual is missing, you are probably able to download it from the
manufacturers website. If this is not possible, try it here:

Calibration
The more precise the measurement result has to be, the more often a calibration has
to be done. While a weekly calibration for a normal precision balance is enough, for
analytical balances a calibration before every measurement is common.
In order to keep the the calibration simple for the operator, analytical balances usually
contain an automated calibration function. Internal calibration weights are then
automatically placed on the sensor. The user only has to press a button and the
balance calibrates itself. For all other balances extra calibration weights have to be
taken and the user has to place them on the weighing plate manually.
Calibration does not mean, that a technician does adjustments to the inside of the
equipment. Calibration means checking the correctness of the display by comparing
the read-out with a calibrated reference weight by the user.
In order to calibrate a balance, we have to control and adjust two calibration points:
Zero and full load. For zero we only reset the display when the balance is unloaded.
For determine the full load point we need a precise calibration weight which is close to
the capacity of the balance. Once these two extremities are set, the balance will now
be able to calculate all quantities between these two points.
While the laboratory assistance does the calibration when ever he needs it, the
biomedical technician is responsible for calibration during the installation and after
every repair. The calibration always has to be done at the workplace in the laboratory
and after every relocation. It is also advisable to make a frequent function check and
calibration after some time. The sensor and the electronics 'ages' and the
measurement drifts over time.

Preparations

Before calibrating a balance, we have to make sure, that all influences from the
outside are excluded. Interfering factors are:
Unleveled balance or uneven surface of lab bench
Air flow
Unstable lab temperature
Steel lab bench or equipment which produce magnetic fields close to the balance
Interrupted power supply
Do the calibration according the user manual. Every balance is different and a general
instruction does not exist. Only there the correct handling is explained.
If you want to calibrate a balance without an automated calibration function make
sure that you have an appropriate calibration weight. The accuracy of the weight must
be much higher than of the balance and the mass must be close to the maximum
weighing capacity of the balance.

Calibration with internal calibration weights

Modern analytical balances already have integrated calibration weights. Only a single
key has to be pressed and the balance does the whole calibration process
automatically.
First the balance is set to zero without any load on the sensor and then a mechanic
places automatically an internal calibration weight on the sensor.

Calibration weights
The balance manufacturers provide sets of calibration weights in various sizes and
different calibration weight classes. Which weight class is needed depends on the
accuracy of the balance.
Calibration weights are extremely precise and have to be handled with absolute care.
The smallest scratches makes them useless and even dust and fingerprints distort the
calibration. Touch the weights only with clean gloves or with forceps and put them
immediately back into the box when the calibration is finished.

Before doing the calibration, be sure that the balance is in warm operating condition.
The balance has to be connected to the power supply for at least four hours, some
manufacturers even suggest ten hours. Only then it is guaranteed that the sensor and
the electronics has operation temperature and does not drift any more.
That does not mean, that the balance has to be switched on four several hours, but it
has to be connected to mains and be in stand-by mode. This is to be noted specially
in countries with unreliable power supply where the equipment is always disconnected
from mains when not in use.

Weight classes
Calibration weights are available in different weight classes. The weight class
describes the accuracy of the weight. For calibrating a precise analytical balance, a
more accurate weight is needed than for calibrating a less accurate balance.
It should be also clear, that the tolerance (quality) of the calibration weights has to be
much better than the balance which has to be calibrated.
These weights are our standard and with the calibration we set our balance to this
standard. A calibration is only as good as the calibration weight.
Important! The tolerance of the weights must be much
better than the resolution of the balance. Otherwise
the calibration is useless!
Here are the specifications of the different classes of calibration weights:

Class E1
Maximum error at 100 g
Maximum error at 1 kg

0.1 mg
0.5 mg

199.9999 g - 200.0001 g
999.9995 g - 10.0005 g

Class E2
Maximum error at 100 g
Maximum error at 1 kg

0.3 mg
1.5 mg

199.9997 g - 200.0003 g
999.9985 g - 10.0015 g

Class F1
Maximum error at 100 g
Maximum error at 1 kg

1 mg
5 mg

Class F2
Maximum error at 100 g
Maximum error at 1 kg

3 mg
15 mg

199.999 g - 200.001 g
999.995 g - 10.005 g

199.997 g - 200.003 g
999.985 g - 10.015 g

Class M1
Maximum error at 100 g
Maximum error at 1 kg

10 mg
50 mg

199.99 g - 200.01 g
999.95 g - 10.05 g

Calibration without internal calibration weights

Laboratory balances without internal calibration weights need external weights. The
calibration has to be done manually by the user. That takes longer and the user has to
work very carefully. But this does not mean, that a manual calibration is less precise.
Hint! Some balances without internal weights have a
'Calibration' key. By pressing this key the balance is
just set to zero. The calibration with a weight still has
to be done manually.
Check out the capacity of the balance. Take the information from the balance or
the user
manual.
Choose the appropriate calibration weight.
Example: Is the capacity 200 g, the weight also should have 200 g.
Check out the accuracy of the balance you want to test. Take the information from
balance or the user manual. The numbers of digits of the display are meaningless.
Take appropriate calibration weights which are much more precise than the
balance.
Example: Has the balance a accuracy of 1.0 mg, Class-E1-weights are fine (
0.1 mg).
Do the calibration according to the user manual.
Calculate the permitted tolerances of the balance according the accuracy taken
from the
manual and check if the read out is within the calculated limits.
Example: A 200 g-weight is displayed with 200.00178
The accuracy of the balance is only 1.0 mg. We have to round the result to
200.002
The calculated result must be between 199.999 g - 200.001 g ( 1.0 mg)
The tolerance is too big. The balance has to be calibrated to 200.000 g.

Calibration weights and analytical balances

In the above mentioned example, the laboratory balance with an accuracy of 1.0
mg was not a very precise one. Standard analytical balances have at least a accuracy
of 0.1 mg and better ones even 0.01 mg. If we now want to calibrate an
analytical balance we have a problem: We need calibration weights with a much
smaller tolerance than the accuracy of the analytical balance. But how is that
possible, when the most precise calibration weight we can get, only has a tolerance of
0.1 mg (Class E1). The answer is easy: It is not possible. The calibration of an
analytical balance has only to be made with internal calibration weights. All existing
external calibration weights are not precise enough.

Important! Never use external calibration weights to

calibrate analytical balances! An analytical balance is
more precise than the weights.

Tip! Why not using an analytical balance to calibrate

the calibration weights? Even a set of less accurate
and cheaper low class weights will give a highly
reference for future measurements on other balances
after a calibration with an analytical balance.
Buy a (set of) calibration weight(s) together with a
new balance, determine the calibration weights with
the new balance and you have a nice reference for
future calibrations.

Installation
The location of the balance has to be chosen very carefully. Only a proper set-up of
the balance insures perfect readouts over a long period of time.
Before setting up the balance we have to make sure that the workplace for the
balance is suitable. The following criteria have to be noted:
The room must be dust free and absolute clean. Dirt and dust will influence the
weighing
result and also can causes problems with the mechanic of the balance.
The lab table or bench where the balance is placed, has to be absolutely stable and
must
not wobble. No vibrations should influence the measurement. The weighing bench
should
be fixed either on the wall or on the floor (or better both). It is a good idea to place
the
balance directly over the legs of the lab bench in order to maximize the stability.
The surface of the lab bench has to be flat and the balance has to be aligned
absolute
horizontally. Use the internal or an external spirit level.
The surface of the lab bench must not made out of steel. Steel can get magnetize
and will
influence the weighing sensor (which is technically a magnetic sensor).
The same goes for any items which produce magnetic fields, like transformer or
loudspeakers. Keep them away from the balance.
Use the weighing bench only for weighing. A centrifuge has no place around a
balance. It
creates vibrations and a magnetic field through the motor.
The room temperature has to be kept as constant as possible. Even small
temperature
changes can cause drifts in the measurement results.
Remember that also direct sunlight and strong light bulbs will heat up the balance.
Check also if the humidity in the lab. It should not change much and has to be
within the

range of the manufacturer's limits. Specially in tropical countries this may lead to
a
problem.
Avoid a place of much air flow. Do not place the balance next to a door. Ideally the
room
should have sliding doors in order to avoid air flow while opening and closing.
The power supply must be stable and free of power cuts. If this can not guaranteed
an
additional UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) has to be used.

A bad example:
The table is not very strong, neither
fixed to wall nor to the floor, the
table-top is much too thin, made
out of metal and the balance is
placed close to a motor-driven test
equipment which creates vibrations
and magnetic interference fields.

When the best location is found, we can place the balance. Therefore we have to
make sure that the balance itself is levelled perfectly horizontal. For this purpose all
balances have adjustable equipment feet and usually an integrated spirit level. This so
called 'bull's eye level' is a small circular glass device. An air bubble floating in a liquid
(spirit) has to be positioned in the centre of the level by turning the adjustable
equipment feet of the balance.

The internal spirit level helps to level the balance

on the workbench. The screw feet of the balance
must be adjusted so that the air bubble is precisely
in the centre of the sight glass of the bubble level.
It is the task of the user to control the correct
levelling from time to time but always after the
balance has been removed.

After levelling a new calibration has to be made.

Load cell balances often have stops which prevent

the balance from overloading. Check if they are
adjusted well, that there is space enough for a
proper operation and not too much space so that
the mechanic can get damaged.
Put the maximum permitted weight on the balance
and check the distance.

Tip! Consider when buying an expensive balance also

to buy a solid bench for the instrument.

Preventive maintenance
The maintenance of balances covers cleaning and some test procedures. Internal
adjustments should not be done. If the test results differ much from the balance's
specifications, it is advisable to ship the balance to the manufacturer.
The tests should be done on-site in the laboratory. Moving the balance to a workshop
is anyway not a good idea. Any moving can cause additional problems.

Needed tools
Beside the calibration weights for balances without internal calibration weights, no
special tools are needed. A proper set of screwdrivers, the technical manual for the
balance and a clean and bright workplace is all we need.

Step 1: Inspection
Before starting any maintenance or repair, start with a short visually inspection:
Is there any contamination or anything else unusual?
Does the doors close/open smoothly?
Do the switches work properly?

Is the zero-point display stable (without a load)?

Make a note of all objections. We come later to these points. First we have to clean
the balance.

Step 2: Cleaning
Use a fine paintbrush to remove sample residues. Often the weighing pan can be
removed
for easier cleaning.
If there is stain, use a damp cloth and a mild soap solution. Do not make the cloth
too
wet. Make sure that no moisture enters the balance.
Wipe the balance with a soft and dry cloth.
The glass of the weighing chamber of an analytical balance can be cleaned with a
common window cleaner.

Step 3: Maintenance
If the sliding doors move sluggishly, take out the doors and clean the rails and the
edges of the glass doors. Do not lubricate. Oil or grease absorb more dirt over time
and the function gets worse.
This also applies for the interior of the balance: Do not lubricate anything. Just clean
all components from dust and dirt. Any additional substance interfere with the
balance's mechanic.
Important! Never lubricate a balance unless the
manufacturer has expressly indicated it.

Step 4: Standard tests

Beside the calibration procedure some tests can be done, in order to verify the
accuracy of the balance. The result of these tests will show the deviation from a
perfect balance with no deviation at all. Since such a balance in practice do not exists,
there can be deviations expected. The problem now is to decide, if these differences
are within the tolerance of the manufacturer. Therefore we have to know the
specifications of the balance, compare the results and make a decision: Yes, the test
results are within the tolerance, the balance is OK; or no, out-off the tolerance, the
balance has to be repaired.
Since the technician is not the operator of the balance and does not necessarily know
for what kind of measurements the balance is used, it is recommended to do the
tests, record the test results and deviations and let the operator decide, if the results
can be accepted and the balance is precise enough for future measurements.
The following performance tests can be done:
Reproducibility (Repeatability)
Cornerload

Linearity
The procedures to perform these test are explained below. Also a test chart for each
test can be downloaded. The test charts can be printed out and the test results can be
filled in. Later they can handed over to the responsible person.
The tests can be performed semi-annual as part of the preventive maintenance of all
the other laboratory equipment.
Are there are significant changes, check again if there are any influences from outside
which could create the problem (static, air draft, warm-up, vibration, etc.) and repeat
the test. If the balance still fails the check, the balance has to be send to the
manufacturer for a recalibration.

Reproducibility (Repeatability)
Reproducibility means that a repeated weighing of the same object must deliver the
same weight reading. A calibration weight is measured for ten times and the readings
are put into the test chart. After each weighing cycle the balance has to be returned
to zero.
The following Reproducibility Test Chart can be printed out and used as a test report:

Reproducibility Test Chart

40 KB

Download

(My standard deviation calculator you find here.)

Cornerload
A cornerload test is performed in order to find out if the balance delivers the same
weight reading for a given object regardless of its position on the weighing pan.
Position a calibration weight at various locations on the weighing pan. The reading
should be the same, within a few digits, at all positions.
Note! A balance which already delivered large
deviations during the reproducibility test will also
deliver wrong results also here.
The following Cornerload Test Chart can be printed out and used as a test report:

Cornerload Test Chart

21 KB

Download

Linearity
Linearity testing verifies the accuracy of the balance at intermediate values of weight.
Since a laboratory balance will often be used to weigh items much smaller than the
maximum capacity of the balance, this is an important test.
The following Linearity Test Chart can be printed out and used as a test report:

Linearity Test Chart

29 KB

Download

Regular maintenance
The balance is a sensitive equipment which must operate absolutely correct in order
to ensure the quality of the measurement. Therefore the adjusting and calibration is
very important for any precision balance. Only with a frequent calibration the
accuracy of the balance can be guaranteed.
After every repair and maintenance a calibration has to be done.
A full calibration should be done frequently every few year. Therefore appropriate and
traceable reference standards have to be used.
The performance has to be calculated for each measurement range. The end user
finally can decide if the balance still meets his requirements.

Design
Laboratory balances are mechanical balance coupled to a sensor and a processing
electronics. The sensor converts the mechanical force into an electronic signal. This
analogue signal is converted into a digital one, processed and displayed.
The mechanic and the sensor are usually designed as a compact mechanical unit
which is adjusted to the following electronics.

Mode of operation

For electronic balances two different weight measuring technologies are used: Strain
gaugeand electromagnetic force restoration.
While the strain gauge principle is used for all scales with higher limits and less
accuracy like patient and baby scales, high quality analytical balances are all based on
the principle of electromagnetic force restoration.

Strain gauge scales

Also commonly called load cell.
The working principle of the strain gauge is used for patient scales or baby scales
where higher weights are measured and the measurement result within milligrams is
not needed.
The unknown weight is measured by using a strain gauge. This is a aluminium beam,
which is milled out in the centre. To one end the weighing pan is attached, the other
end is mounted to the base of the balance. A load on the pan creates as force and the
aluminium beam gets deformed. Since at the thinnest part of the beam strain gauges
are embedded, these length-sensitive resistors also get deformed and so change their
resistance.
The following amplifier creates a voltage out of the current through the resistances
and delivers a measurement voltage which corresponds to the weight.

A standard resistor bridge (also called Wheatstone

bridge) with three fixed resistors and a sensor
resistor. When the bridge is in balance the output
voltage is zero.

In practice often all four resistors

are length-sensitive. The output
voltage and the dynamic is higher
and the sensitivity to disturbances
smaller.

Here the sensor of a platform balance in

reality. On the left side the aluminium
beam is mounted to the frame. On the right
side of the beam the weighing platform is
usually mounted (on the top where the four
screw holes are). Note how massiv the
whole construction is and how thin the
centre part of the block is. Here the block
will bend under load and here the lengthsensitive resistors are mounted. The
sensors themselves are embedded in the
aluminium block and sealed with plastic.

Note that there is nothing to adjust. The calibration is done electronically by the
control unit.
Is the working principle based on load cells, then there is not much you can do
wrong. The whole unit is build out of one solid block. On the other hand, there is also
nothing to adjust and to repair.

Electromagnetic force restoration balances

Balances based on the electromagnetic force restoration principle work completely
different. Here not the force of the load weight is measured directly but a
counteracting force is created which works against the weight. This force is measured
when the weighing pan is in balance. The method allows more precise measurements
than the load cell principle.
The weighing pan with the unknown weight is attached to a force coil. The coil is
floating in a magnetic field which is created by an amplifier. The amplifier delivers
always the right current to keep the lever in balance, regardless of the weight on the
pan. The information when the lever is balanced is given by a light barrier.

Due to the fact that the needed current for this balancing is proportional to the weight

on the pan, the current is also used to measure the weight. Therefore the current
flows through a precision resistor which creates a measurement voltage. An A/D unit
transforms the voltage into a digital signal. The following micro processor with an
appropriate software delivers the measurement result which is finally shown in the
display.
Additional sensors like a displacement detector and a temperature sensor are also
controlling the amplifier and ensure the accuracy of the balance.

Here the force coil mechanic of an analytic balance. Usually the mechanic is protected
by a heavy steel cover. The black pin in the centre carries the weighing plate
(removed). The weighing mechanic is hidden under the metal disk. The green, small
electronic board on the right contains the LED light barrier. A lever, connected to the
weighing mechanic, moves in this sensor.
The left part of the mechanic shows the automated calibration unit. The motor on the
left turns the big black gear wheel below when the calibration function is activated.
Then the calibration weight is attached to the weighing mechanic. The calibration
weight consists of the two brass wheels in the front.

Repair
Balances are often damaged by mishandling or contamination from water or
chemicals. These problems require cleaning and testing as described in the
Maintenance section. Rarely component have to be replaced.
Laboratory balances consists in principle of two compact and integrated units: The
computer controlled electronic unit and the mechanic with the sensor, often designed
as a solid block. The two units are adjusted to each other and thus leave no space for
repairs or adjustments. Only touch or modify them when you are sure what you do.
Otherwise take hands off the sensors. You probably create more problems than you
solve.
Is the balance not working at all, you can have a closer look at the power supply.
In case of a more complex problem or inaccuracy the balance should be send to the

manufacturer for repair.

Be careful with dismantling

balances. In this case only the two
marked screws are holding the
metal cover in place and can be
removed.
The four other screws are for
adjustments and must not turned!

Note! Before dismantling a laboratory balance consult the

service manual.

Common problems
Malfunctions caused by sample residues and spilled liquids are typical for laboratory
equipment.
Also problems with the power supply can occur.
A typical problem with load cell scales is, that they are sensitive to over-loading. An
excessive load can permanently bend the load cell. Therefore, great care needs to be
taken when using a scale with a load cell. The user should have a rough idea of how
much an object weighs before placing it on the weighing pan. Bent load cells are not
repairable and have to be exchanged. The repair is easy to do but sometimes not
economic. The spare part is often not much cheaper than a complete new scale.

Most of the laboratory balances

contain small batteries. The
batteries do not run the balance but
backup the stored microprocessor
settings. Their lifetime is limited
and should be replaced every two
years.

Needed tools
No special tools are needed. A proper set of screwdrivers, a multimeter maybe, the
technical manual for the balance and a clean and bright workplace is all we need.

Service manuals
While user manuals are always delivered with equipment, service manuals are never
provided by the manufacturer. Also on the websites of the companies you will not find
any service manual. The policy is clear: The companies want to do all repairs by
themselves. Only a certified technician who took part in a special training for a certain
equipment gets a service manual and technical support.
If the service manual is needed, you can try it here:

Power supply
As mentioned above, the possibilities of a repair of a laboratory balance are limited.
An exception is, as always, the power supply. Here is something to do for the
technician. In case of malfunctions, we can check the fuse(s), the output voltage(s)
and the electronics in between. It is quite a lot, because here often problems appear.
Laboratory balances almost always have an external power supply (switch mode) and
an internal voltage stabilization.
Here the view inside the balance:

1 The input socket with the plug from the external power supply. Plugs and sockets
often
have bad contact.
2 The glass fuse.
In switch mode power supplies, also search for small, black plastic fuses.
Remember:
Blown fuses often have a cause.
3 A capacitor. Works together with the following coil as a filter for the DC input
voltage.

4 Looks like a transformer, but is just a coil for filtering out any AC components of
the DC
voltage.
5 Three stabilizers for three different DC output voltages. In this case +12 V, -12 V
and
+5 V. They are easy to check. 7805 means Stabilizer for 5 V, 7812 for 12V. Left
is input,
centre ground, right 5 V or 12 V output. Negative stabilizers (79xx) are different:
Left is
ground, centre is in and right is voltage output. More about stabilizers here.
6 Capacitors for stabilizing the output voltages.
7 Flat ribbon cable, which leads to the main board. Be careful with these cables.
Once
they are broken, they can not be repaired. In such a case, exchange the cable
against
normal wire cables.

Manufacturers
Important manufacturer of laboratory balances are:
A&D, Japan
Kern & Sohn, Germany
Mettler Toledo, Switzerland/USA
Ohaus, USA
Radwag, Poland
Sartorius, Germany
Seca Should be avoided. Prohibited the download of service manuals.

Links and sources

Wikipedia: Weighing scale
Wikipedia: Spring scale
GWP - Proper Weighing with Laboratory Balances
IES Corporation - Calibration Guide of Balances
IES Corporation - Testing Your Laboratory Balance
Mettler Toledo - Weights
Sartorius - Correct Use and Handling of Analytical and Microbalances
Urs Berli - Weighing Principles