Calibration services: Why Your Scales Should Be Checked Every Year

Calibration services are essential for any business that uses weighing scales.

A weighing scale, like any other machine, needs to be serviced regularly to function properly. When you depend on weighing scales to give you accurate weight readings every time you operate them, it becomes critical to have them serviced by a professional engineer every year.

We usually advise having a complete service and calibration check done once a year, depending on the application and how often your scales are used. In this blog post, we go over the advantages of maintaining and calibrating your scales, what goes through this process, and the risks that come with not doing so regularly for your company.

What is weighing scale service and calibration?

A scale service and calibration includes an in-depth look at the weighing scale to guarantee that it is operating as intended and will stay functional until the next service is performed.

Checking the scale's feet and stability on a flat surface, ensuring that all seals are intact, and the battery connections are free of corrosion and functional are all part of a service and calibration check.

The scale then goes through its calibration check. This is a step-by-step process that uses calibration weights to make sure the scale is giving accurate weight readings across its range. If any adjustments need to be made, the scale will be re-calibrated and a certificate of calibration will be issued.

Why should a scale receive a service and calibration check?

Like any other precision equipment, weighing scales can lose their accuracy over time. How quickly this happens depends on several factors:

• What is the purpose of the weighing scale
• What is the environment in which the scale is used (and how is it used) 
• How is the weighing scale treated

It’s no secret that as precision equipment, weighing scales need to be taken care of and treated with the utmost attention. But we also understand that there are several applications – especially in heavy-duty, industrial weighing applications – that require weighing scales to withstand the rigors of the job – but let’s hope that the scales used are up to the task and that they don’t drop out of calibration too quickly.

What are the dangers of not performing the service and calibration test?

Weighing scales can become ‘off-calibration’ if they are not serviced and calibrated regularly. This can lead to a decrease in the accuracy of the weight readings provided by the scale. At first, the inaccuracies may be subtle, but they are likely to become more pronounced over time if the scale is not serviced and re-calibrated.

In addition, the device's parts are more likely to break down if they are not inspected. For example, parts like feet, if they are damaged or lost, the scale will not be able to give accurate weight readings as the scale will lose its stability.

If components are left to fail, they could eventually cause a weighing scale to have a shortened service life, meaning that it will need to be replaced sooner at a higher cost to the company.

In conclusion, regular calibration services are essential for maintaining the accuracy and functionality of weighing scales. By investing in these services, businesses can ensure compliance with regulatory standards, prevent component failure, and maintain precise weight readings.