ut our Laboratory Balances section for more information or to find manufacturers that sell these products.

A balance is a crucial and fundamental piece of equipment for any laboratory. The first and foremost

consideration in shopping for a Laboratory Balance is clarity of thought on use and application. The purpose

of the balance, the type of materials, and the amount of materials all factor into the choice of instrument. For

solid, inert materials of a kilogram or more, an industrial balance would be the right choice. For measuring

microgram quantities of pharmaceutical compounds, a precision Analytical Balance would be necessary.

Similarly, consider the laboratory and the overall environment. For a dusty environment, such as a factory floor,

look for balances that are sealed against outside materials. If there are drafts, vibrations, or temperature

fluctuations, a sensitive analytic balance may not function well. Some balances come with their own

enclosures, to keep contaminants out.

If the work being done requires certification, or involves toxic or radioactive materials, regulatory and personnel

training requirements may need to be satisfied. In addition, the frequency of use will influence the choice. A

balance that is used all day, every day, needs to be very durable and reliable.

According to Mettler Toledo (Columbus, OH), a manufacturer of analytical balances, customers frequently

underestimate the level of accuracy required by their processes. Once the application has been clarified, it can

be determined what is expected in terms of accuracy according to the relevant international norms and

guidelines.

High readability does not necessarily equate to high accuracy, according to a company spokesperson. For

example, a customer may choose a balance with 0.1 mg readability (4 decimal places). The accuracy of the

balance relates to the measurement uncertainty of each reading, i.e., the ± tolerance in the result. A fast,
stable weighing result is not necessarily an indication of accuracy. A balance that is inaccurate cannot reliably

produce repeatable results.

Different types of balances are selected according to the function they must perform. Laboratory balance types

include toploading balances, portable balances, analytical balances, semimicrobalances, and microbalances.

There are some overlaps in terms of readability and accuracy. In these cases, the user’s application and

weighing environment will generally determine the type of balance required.

Balances may also be defined according to their weighing sensor. Some balances use a strain gauge, which is

essentially a metallic object that deforms as strain is applied, resulting in a change in electrical resistance that

can be correlated to the magnitude of the strain induced by the weight. Strain gauges are frequently found in

shop scales and other larger instruments.

In scales of higher accuracy, a sensor based on electromagnetic force compensation may be used. In that type

of sensor, the weight applied to the scale is compensated for by an electromagnetic force. Vertical position

changes in the coil trigger a current that returns the position to zero. Since the current is proportional to the

weight, a weight value can be calculated from the current.

“Although it can’t be seen, [the weighing sensor] is the heart of every balance and it is a major factor

influencing its accuracy and its price,” according to a spokesperson at Mettler-Toledo. The weighing sensor

should provide the balance with the ability to weigh rapidly and reproducibly, be stable to thermal fluctuations,

and be reasonably repairable.

Top Loading Balances
Toploading balances are appropriate when the upper margin of error on a weight is 0.05 g or larger, as

opposed to analytical balances, which have a margin of error of 0.5 mg. The toploading balance does not offer

protection from air disturbances, and generally can weigh up to the low-kilogram range.
Portable Balances
A Portable Balance may be chosen for field work or simply for convenience. Durability becomes a very

important feature of a portable balance, since it is likely to be heavily used and possibly take some abuse.

Many appreciate a quick response and user-friendly design in a portable balance, especially if there is a large

number of samples to be weighed.

Although portable balances are not as fussy as their analytical balance cous