Weighing Your Options: How to Choose a Digital Scale

Weighing Your Options: How to Choose a Digital Scale

Digital Scales come in all shapes and sizes and for many applications. Selecting the correct scale for your needs and budget can be difficult. For this reason, our scientists have created a list of 7 criteria you should consider when searching for your digital scale.

Get the scientists' guide to choosing to right digital scale for your application.

About Digital Scales

You'd be hard-pressed to find an analogue-style scale with half as many features and functions as a modern digital scale. Compared to analogue scales, digital scales offer a higher level of accuracy, flexibility, enhanced functions and user-friendly features.

Applications

Digital scales have many industrial and commercial applications, including:

  • Domestic and professional kitchens for food preparation
  • Postage and shipping
  • Jewellery making and lapidary
  • Postage and shipping; and
  • Parts counting and inventory control.

Seven things to look for when choosing a digital scale

1. Capacity

 

Capacity refers to the maximum weight a scale can display with accuracy. Be sure that the digital scale has the capacity required for the items you intend to measure.

2. Weighing units

 

Weighing units refers to the unit of weight the scale displays. Most scales in Australia show metric measurements such as grams and kilograms. Some convert to imperial units and can display application-specific weighing units such as carats and grain.

3. Resolution

 

Resolution refers to the smallest increment of weight that your scale displays, such as 0.5, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001, etc.

4. Water/Dust Protection

 

You’ll need a scale with a suitable IP (ingress protection) rating for reliable, long-term use if working in moist or dusty environments.

5. Dimensions

 

Is bench space at a premium in your workspace? Are you planning to weigh bulky items? Consider each scale’s footprint and weighing pan dimensions. You’ll need an instrument to fit the space available and a pan size adequate for the items for weighing.

6. Power Supply

 

Your choice of power supply is a matter of personal preference. Battery-powered scales work well when your scale needs to move often. Alternatively, mains power will better ensure continuous operation. Some scales offer both options. 

7. Communication

 

If you need to collect, record, or print weight data, focus on models with USB and RS232 interfaces to transfer data to a computer or printer. 

Digital Scale Examples

1kg Digital Bench Scale
Product code: IC-7264

The popular IC-7264 features include multiple weighing functions and units, a draft shield, bubble level, backlit LCD, 13 weighing units and a count function.

 

Applications:

This versatile benchtop scale is suitable for use in:

  • Small kitchens
  • Lapidary and jewellery making; and
  • Small inventory control.

 

Specifications:

Capacity: 1kg
Resolution: 0.01g
Weighing Units: Gram, Carat, Pound, Ounces Dram, Grain, Troy Ounce, Pennyweight, Momme, Japanese Tael, Taiwan Tael, Hong Kong Tael and Tola.
Dimensions: Footprint: 175(W) x 75(H) x 260(D)mm, Pan: 140mm diameter
Water/Dust Protection: N/A
Communication: N/A
Power Supply: Mains powered (adapter included) with 4 x AA battery backup (not included). 

 

30kg x 1g SW30 Food Grade Portion Scale
Product code: IC-SW-30

 

The IC-SW-30 will withstand heavy-duty kitchen use. The unit is IP65 rated has a stainless-steel platform and rugged plastic housing. Features a late 25mm LCD that makes it easy to interpret measurements. Power source options are via an adaptor or internal rechargeable battery.

 

Applications:

  • Weighing ingredients
  • Portioning food; and
  • General kitchen measuring tasks.

 

Specifications:

Capacity: 30kg
Resolution: 1g
Weighing Units: Kilograms and pounds
Dimensions: Footprint: 320 x 290 x 100 mm Pan: 200 x 225 mm. 
Water/Dust Protection: IP65
Communication: N/A
Power Supply: AC adapter (12V/500mA), internal rechargeable battery (6V/3.2Ah)

 

15 kg Ranger 3000 Series Compact Bench Scale
Product code: IC-R31P15

 

Rugged, fast, and dependable, the Ranger 3000 boasts tough ABS housing, stainless steel platform, 210 hours of battery life, 3 LED check weighing lights, auto shut-off, auto tare, built-in weigh-below hook and level indicator.

 

Applications:

  • Warehouses - incoming and outgoing shipments
  • Inventory tracking
  • Bulk item measurement; and
  • Weighing, mixing, counting and checking raw materials.

 

Specifications:

Capacity: 15kg
Resolution: 0.5g
Weighing Units: Gram, Kilogram, Ounce, Pound, and Pound: Ounce
Dimensions: Footprint: 311 mm (W) × 327 mm (L) × 117 mm (H) Pan: 300 × 225 mm
Water/Dust Protection: N/A
Communication: Easy access communication port including standard RS232 (included) and second RS232, USB or Ethernet (accessories sold separately)
Power Supply: 100 - 240 VAC / 50 - 60 Hz internal universal power supply, internal rechargeable lead-acid battery. 210 hours continuous use between recharges.

 

The Final Word

Instrument Choice stocks more than 400 digital scales and balances, so choosing the best device for your application can seem an impossible task. Follow the seven steps above to be confident in finding the best digital scale for your application(s).

Browse all digital scales here

Want more information about digital scales or need further assistance? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist: Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].

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