How to Choose a Digital Scale
Digital Scales come in all shapes and sizes and for an enormous variety of applications. Selecting the correct scale for your needs and budget can be difficult. For this reason, our scientists have created a list of 7 key criteria you should consider when searching for your digital scale.
About Digital Scales
Digital scales have grown in popularity over the last decade and have rapidly replaced traditional analogue-style devices. Compared to their analogue predecessors, digital scales offer:
- Higher levels of accuracy
- Greater flexibility
- Enhanced functions and user-friendly features; and
- They are quick and convenient to use, providing easy-to-interpret measurements.
Common Scale Applications
These include:
- Kitchen and food preparation
- Laboratories
- Postage and shipping
- Lapidary and jewellery making; and
- Parts counting and inventory control.
Key Criteria When Buying a Digital Scale
1. Capacity: Capacity refers to the maximum weight a scale is capable of accurately displaying. Make sure the instrument you are considering is capable of doing the job!
2. Resolution: Resolution is the smallest increment in applied weight that can be detected or displayed on your digital scale.
3. Weighing Units: That is, the units your scale uses to measure and display information. Do you relate to metric or imperial measurements – or do you need application-specific units like carats, grain or tola?
4. Dimensions: Consider both the overall footprint of your scale and the weighing pan’s dimensions. You want your scale to fit your designated spaces. On the other hand, the weighing pan’s size will limit the size of any object you wish to weigh.
5. Water/Dust Protection: If your application involves taking measurements in damp or dusty environments, it would be worth considering a scale with a suitable IP (ingress protection) rating.
6. Communication: Do you need to collect, store or print weight data? Some scales have USB and RS232 interfaces for transferring data to a computer or printer.
7. Power Supply: Battery-powered scales work well in environments scale portability is needed. Choosing an AC powered model will ensure continuous operation.
So what scale best suits your application?
Digital Scales Examples
Check out the variety of devices selected by our scientists to get a better idea of your needs.
200g Mini-Scale with Backlight
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1kg Digital Bench Scale
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30kg x 1g SW30 Food Grade Portion Scale
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200 kg SD Series Bench Scale
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15 kg Ranger 3000 Series Compact Bench Scale
Rugged, fast, and reliable, the Ranger 3000 is built with tough ABS housing and stainless steel platform.
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The Final Word
With well over 500 digital scales and balances available at Instrument Choice, choosing the best device for your application can be a time-consuming task – if you let it. By following the key criteria we have listed above, you can find the perfect digital scale for your application more efficiently and with greater confidence.
Browse all digital scales at Instrument Choice here
Do you still need a hand choosing the correct digital scale for your application? Have a question about any of the products listed above? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist: Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
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