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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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
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30kg x 1g SW30 Food Grade Portion Scale
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15 kg Ranger 3000 Series Compact Bench Scale
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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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