If you choose the correct balance, calibrate it regularly— including any time the balance is moved to a new location—and keep it clean, your balance will reward you with many years of accurate operation.
Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Laboratory Balance
- What are the heaviest and lightest samples you will weigh (including container weight)?
- What is the required +/- tolerance of your lightest sample?
- How many decimal places in grams do you require for the displayed weight?
- What type of samples will you be weighing and do you need to take into consideration the size of the weighing surface or the securing of a tare container?
- Is on-site service available from a factory-trained service technician?
- Do you need to interface the balance to another device such as a computer, printer, bar code reader, etc.?
Types of laboratory balance used by survey respondents:
Analytical balance | 89% |
Precision balance | 64% |
Micro balance | 18% |
Ultra-microbalance | 4% |
Other | 12% |
Weighing applications, according to survey respondents:
Differential weighting | 51% |
Dynamic weighing | 49% |
Pipette calibration | 47% |
Mass comparison | 32% |
Filter weighting | 27% |
Other | 11% |
Most common problems users experience when using their balance:
Weight readings do not stabilize | 55% |
The unit is out of calibration | 17% |
Display problems | 14% |
Poor repeatability | 13% |
Cornerload errors | 7% |
The unit does not respond to weight addition | 6% |
Readings moving only down | 3% |
Other/None | 32% |
Factors that would help users overcome their weighing challenges:
Newer equipment | 46% |
Improved maintenance | 38% |
Better training | 22% |
Better technical support | 18% |
Newer accessories | 14% |
Other | 28% |
For more information on balances, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/balances