Most of you must have seen a weighing balance at a jewellery store. This is one of the most common places where to can find a weighing balance, but apart from this, you can also find a weighing balance in commercial kitchens, laboratories and pharmacies as well. A weighing balance is a device that can be used for measuring the mass or weight of an object. These weighing balances are available in a variety of sizes so that you will be able to measure different kinds of items.
What to Consider Before Buying a Weighing Balance
There are a number of things to keep in mind when you are buying a weighing balance. That all depends on what you are going to weigh using the device. But there are certain common things to consider irrespective of what you are going to measure. Let us have a look at them in order to pick the right one.
- The first thing to consider is the readability factor. Yes, the weight of the item being measured should be displayed clearly to the individual doing it and the person on the around you. So, always make sure that the display is clear and is not confusing for you.
- The second factor is the units in which the weight is measured. Different units like grains, carats, grams, pounds and many other units will be used. Depending on what you are going to measure you will have to choose a weighing balance. For example, if you are going to measure some jewellery, then your measurement is going to be in carats. This is how you are going to make a choice.
- The platform or the small pan where the measuring item is placed is another important thing to consider. The item should not be sliding down or fall from the platform or the pan in which you are placing it. So, it is always good to choose something that comes with enough space.
- The next point is the overall size of the weighing balance. These weighing devices are available in many different sizes, but you should also consider that space availability. You should see a size that fits in easily, and does not cause any problem again. It should also be light in weight if you are choosing a small device. It will be easy to move from place to place.
Types of Weighing Balance
Analytical Balance
One of the most popular kind of weight balance where accuracy is very important, Analytical balances are used. It can measure mass up to 0.0001 precision and that is the reason why people prefer this kind of weighing balances the most.
Trip Balance
Trip balance or also known as the equal arm balance is another kind of balance. This has two pans where the mass of the item is measured. In one pan, the item or object to be measured is placed and in the other pan, weights are placed. When the two pans come to an equal level, then the total sum of the weights placed in the other pan is the actual weight of the object being measured.
Spring Balance
Another kind of weighing balance is the Spring balance. This Spring balance is made using Hooke’s law. A small pan is placed at the lower point of the spring and the other end of the spring is fixed at a point. This spring is made of hard steel and it is good for measuring weight. There is an indicator that shows the weight of the object and you need not have to use any other weights to measure it. This kind of weighing balance is usually used in grocery stores.
Top Load Weighing Balance
An easy option for your laboratory measurements is the top load weighing. You will be able to measure from 150 grams to 5000 grams without any kind of problem. But when compared to the analytical balance, the readability is going to be less. When you don’t need an exact measurement, but you wish to complete the weighing task quickly, then this kind of weighing balance is a good choice as you will be able to add objects quickly. They are cheaper compared to the analytical weighing balance and they show a digital value as an output.
Triple Beam Balance
The next type of weighing balance is the triple beam balance. This is a very cheap option when compared to the top load weighing balance and also the readability is also low but is considered to be suitable for many different places for weighing. But they durable, less expensive and easy to use. This kind of weighing balance is typically used in classrooms.
Analytical and Precision Balances For Smaller Masses
If you are looking for weighing balances for measuring very small masses, then you need to precision weighing balance or analytical weighing balance. These two are specific kind of weighing balances. The Analytical balance is the best for the smaller masses as it can measure to almost 0.0001-gram precision as well. This is considered highly accurate when compared to the precision balance. When it comes to the precision balance, you will be able to measure between 0.1 grams to 0.01 grams. But this can be used for measuring higher capacities as well.
Both kinds can be used for measuring hundreds of grams and also measuring kilograms as well. But the accuracy is going to be high and you will get the exact values to a precision of up to 0.0001 grams. Weighing balance is definitely different from a weighing scale and hence you need to understand each in a better way in order to make the right choice. You have a number of weighing balances present in the market and you can pick on based on what object you are going to measure using this weighing balance.
