If you have scales in your facility, it is highly likely that you also have one more sets of calibration weights. These are very weights that are produced by specialized companies to exacting standards. With their very exacting and precise manufacturing process, they are certified and approved to be used to calibrate scales and balances.
These weights are also sometimes known as test weights. They are used specifically to test the accuracy of the sale by using a known and validated weight. To ensure that a scale is calibrated through different weight ranges, more than one weight type is available for most scales.
What to Consider
The most important factor to consider when choosing calibration weights is the compatibility of the weights to the specific scale. The type of scale is often reflected in the type of measurements required and the standards that the scale has to meet.
Scales and weights will have both a standard and a class designation in most industries. This will typically include ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Internation is the most common standard used. It is also possible for a scale and weights to be based on NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) standards.
Accuracy and Weight Range
Under these standards, there are also different classes of calibration weights. The classes are more accurate and are designed for extremely sensitive scales and balances. These are most often bench styles of scales used in laboratories and testing.
As the classes become higher in number or letter, they are designed more for industrial applications and heavier weight amounts. It is only logical that a scale measuring in milligrams would need to have greater precision and accuracy as compared to scale measuring in thousands of pounds in a load.
Choosing the right weights for calibration should always start with buying from a trusted manufacturer. If necessary, these scale weights may also be sold with a traceable certificate, which may be critical to your weighing and documentation needs.
