Balances and scales are sensitive instruments. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. The more sensitive a piece of weighing equipment is, the more precise measurements it can perform. But you have to use extreme caution with sensitive equipment in your Hampton Roads VA lab to keep it in perfect shape. Today, we’ll teach you what you need to know about shock loading and how it can harm the sensitive workings of your balance.
Shock loading can harm the sensitive workings of your balance. Here’s how you can avoid it.
What is Shock Loading?
First, let’s define shock loading. You may think that this has to do with an electrical current. In fact, it has a whole lot more to do with how careful you are when using your weighing equipment.
Shock loading refers to when a heavy weight is abruptly dumped onto your balance or scale. A ‘heavy weight’ may strike you as an imprecise turn of phrase, but this is because a weight that will shock one balance won’t necessarily have the same impact on another balance.
Keep in mind that you can shock load a balance or scale even with a weight that does not exceed its capacity. Even a light weight, when dropped from a height of a foot or so above the pan, could hit it with a force capable of shocking your equipment.
At the very least, shock loading may throw off the calibration of your weighing equipment. Or worse—it may permanently impact its resolution.
So, how can you prevent shock loading in your Hampton Roads lab?
Be Careful
The number one thing we can do to avoid shock loading our weighing equipment is simply using caution. Under no circumstances should you drop the material you would like to weigh onto your equipment. Always place it as carefully as you can onto your scale or balance.
After all, balances and scales can be expensive. Like any expensive piece of equipment, you should do your best to protect it so that it can have the longest lifespan possible.
Still, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to place items upon your balance gingerly. If you find yourself in this situation, another option is to place shock-resistant materials overtop of it. This can help take some of the pressure off of your load cells.
Boost the Capacity of Your Load Cells
If an abundance of caution does not solve your issue with shock loading, your next course of action should be to look into load cells with a higher capacity. In case you aren’t familiar, load cells are essentially the brains of your weighing equipment. With weight applied on top of them, they bend. This sends an electrical signal to your display, which gives you your weight.
Shock loading is essentially an issue of exceeding the capacity of your scale—even if it’s only for a moment. Higher capacity load cells—together with caution—just might help you avoid this issue altogether.
CONTACT THE SCALE PEOPLE FOR Your Weighing Equipment Needs in Hampton Roads, VA
Since 1956, The Scale People have earned a reputation as the finest service provider for calibration and repairs of weighing equipment in the mid-Atlantic area. Our sales team can help work with you to find the best weighing equipment for your application. We currently have offices in Columbia, MD, and Newport News, VA, but we offer our services nationwide. Over the years, we have built up a long list of satisfied clients from a wide variety of industries, including pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and government manufacturing. We are a fully ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited service company offering calibration for balances, scales, dynamometers, force measurement, test weights pipettes, and more. All of our services have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We’re only a phone call away at +1 (800) 451-9593. To learn more about what we do, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.