A detailed guide to Calibration Weights

Calibration products are available in digital and linear scales, designed to give correct weight readings, measuring tools and more. Calibration weights are used in calibration labs where they need to conduct tests of measuring devices. They typically range from 2 grams to 15 kg or 0.1 to 10,000 pounds.

They are also often used by people who need accurate measurements of a specific weight. At the same time, they participate in industrial processes or as part of their day-to-day activities that require accurate measurements, like cooking and laundry.

 Calibration weights are also often required when one needs precision product production with large operations like the oil industry, which uses them for fabrication and installation. Let’s discuss everything you should know about Calibration weights.

How Does the Scale Calibration Procedure Work?

A recognized grade or standard mass is placed on your scale. The calibration weight is set to the desired weight and the scale measures it. This process of weighing and measuring a standard mass will provide the required accuracy. The scale needs to be ultimately level before it is used for Calibration.

 If your floor or table surface isn’t level, there will be a variation in readings that you may never expect at all whiles using your equipment daily. It is because you need to check the floor periodically, and the inclined platform where you set your scale tends to tilt in one direction or another, causing a difference in readings. In this case, the scale will be accurate from 1-2 pounds and 2-3 pounds, but it won’t be accurate in between, such as 1.5 pounds and 2.5 pounds.

Classes of Calibration Weights:

Five basic classes of calibration weights are used for different purposes.

Glass Cap and Tube:

This type is used when someone wants to calibrate a device but doesn’t have access to a reputable scale lab, holds the weight in their hand, and manually balances them on the scale pan. Unfortunately, these cannot be used on most digital scales since they are too inaccurate to use due to their non-level shape; however, if you purchase one of these types, you can use it with your digital scale if your unit is relatively small and lightweight. In addition, most digital scales have a hook you can use to hang the weight in the air after weighing it if you want to weigh it again.

 Magnetic:

When calibrating, this type of weight has a magnet behind the calibration weight while it is placed on a weighing table and is one of the best calibration weights. It allows for quick, simple, and accurate calibrations with the right equipment since one can directly read the mass of each calibration weight digitally. However, it cannot be used by people with some digital scales that have no magnetic field, such as many mechanical lab balances that work well with larger calibration weights.

Standard Dry Steel Ball:

This type is used by professionals in calibrating machines and instruments with a standard steel ball with a set weight. It is also used as an instrument weight on its own as long as it is standard and accurate. These calibration weights often range from 0.3 pounds to 3 pounds and can be purchased at any local hardware store. This Calibration weighs anything from 2 grams to 22 pounds and is used for calibrating scales and instruments used in the jewellery industry, manufacturing, food processing and more. These weights are available in weights such as 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 25 pounds and more.

Precision Weights:

This type is made of aluminium alloy, making it waterproof and resistant to corrosion. These devices can measure loads that weigh up to 100 kg or 220 pounds and a range in between. The minimum height this type can attain is 3 mm, while the maximum height it can measure is 600 mm or almost 24 inches.

Industrial Calibration Weights:

It is used in industrial settings where the Calibration of instruments, such as weighing machines or balances, are required. It is engineered with high precision and accuracy that people with most digital scales can use. It weighs from 0.2 grams to 50 kilograms or 1 pound to 28 pounds with a range of about 2 grams to 6 kilograms or 4 pounds to 14 pounds which is the maximum weight this type of calibration product can measure. Its shape has round top and bottom edges with rounded corners resembling a barbell shape.

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