Test Weights and Load Testing: Done Right

Accurate weighing is essential for businesses that sell, produce, or handle goods by weight. Even small inaccuracies can lead to costly product giveaway, compliance issues, customer complaints, or lost revenue. Regular calibration is the best way to maintain confidence in your weighing equipment — and test weights are one of the most practical tools for doing this effectively.

Test weights allow you to verify scale accuracy quickly and in-house, between formal service visits. They provide a reliable reference point to detect any drift or faults before they impact your operations.

Test weights are precision-made objects with a certified, known mass. They serve as a benchmark to check whether your scales are reading correctly. By placing a test weight on the scale, you can immediately see if the displayed weight matches the expected value.

They come in various materials, shapes, and sizes to suit different applications:

• Brass cylindrical weights — Often used for lower capacities and higher precision (from milligrams up to several kilograms).
• Cast iron or slotted weights — Ideal for higher capacities, commonly used with platform and industrial scales.

Using test weights regularly helps you catch issues early, maintain customer trust, and avoid financial losses from inaccurate readings.

The ideal testing frequency depends on how heavily your scales are used:

• High-volume operations (scales used many times per day) benefit from monthly checks.
• Lower-usage equipment can be tested less frequently, but still benefit from regular spot checks.

While full professional calibration is typically recommended every 6 to 12 months, test weights provide valuable peace of mind in between these formal services. They help identify problems quickly, reducing the risk of prolonged downtime or inaccurate production.

It’s also important to care for your test weights. Dropping them can reduce their mass, while dirt or residue can increase it. Storing them properly and having them recalibrated periodically (e.g. via UKAS-traceable services) ensures they remain accurate references.

Annual or biannual professional calibrations are important, but they don’t catch everything. Scales can drift due to heavy use, environmental factors, or accidental knocks. Test weights let you:

• Verify accuracy at any time
• Reduce the risk of product giveaway or undercharging
• Minimise unexpected downtime
• Support consistent quality control

In short, they are a low-cost way to protect your business and maintain compliance between formal service visits.

Select test weights based on the scales and products you work with:

• Match the capacity and readability of your main scales.
• Consider your typical working range - pharmaceutical and laboratory scales usually need smaller, high-precision weights, while food production or manufacturing may require larger ones.
• Check the accuracy class (e.g. M1) to ensure it meets your requirements.

Solent Scales offers a wide range of test weights in different materials and capacities, along with professional calibration services to keep both your scales and test weights accurate.