Test Weights - Load Testing Done Right

Businesses that rely on weighing scales for output will attest to how important regular calibration can be.

When selling a product or performing a service based on weight, accuracy is vital. 

Inaccurate readings can result in a customer paying more or a company themselves haemorrhaging money.

Solent Scales guard against both eventualities by offering several repair and service packages. Recognising when your equipment requires servicing is made that bit easier by test weights.

What Are Test Weights? 

To test your scales for accuracy in-house, without calling upon a third party, you must utilise a standard object with a known weight. The certainty of said weight will confirm any subsequent errors with the scales in question.

Test weights are available in different sizes, with options to suit different businesses.

For example, our Individual M1 Brass Cylindrical weights have a range from 1mg to 500mg & 1g to 10kg. This differs from our Slotted Iron M1 Weights, which are available in measurements from 50g to 20kg. 

Routinely using test weights to double-check the accuracy of equipment is essential and helps to build trust among customers. People expect to get what they pay for, after all. 

How Often Should Test Weights Be Used? 

Different businesses utilise weighing equipment in different ways. 

The frequency of calibration will be determined by the frequency of use.

A scale that is deployed multiple times a day is likely to malfunction sooner than one called upon once a week.

If your model falls into the first of those categories we’d recommend monthly accuracy testing. 

While the same rate of calibration is advised for all scales (six months to a year), those used intermittently are unlikely to reveal errors each and every time an accuracy test is performed.

Be mindful too of the need to keep test weights themselves accurate. 

Indeed this is equally important as they’re known to ‘lose weight’ if dropped and ‘gain weight’ if rarely cleaned. UKAS calibration can guard against both scenarios, a service Solent Scales also provides.

Why Should I Use Test Weights When There Are Annual Service Checks?

When buying a scale there is every chance you will have scheduled annual or biannual services as part of the transaction, including calibration. 
This begs the question… why should I fork out for test weights? The answer is they could very well save you money in the long run. 

As highlighted above, a scale that is not properly calibrated could result in profligacy, as companies give away more products than intended. This costs.

And of course, even scales that have been checked can go awry within a week or month. This could lead to downtime and serious disruptions to productivity.

What Size Test Weights Should I Use?

When deciding on the size of the test weight you must consider the average weights you work with on a daily basis.

Pharmaceutical scales, for example, deal with small amounts which need to be very precise. They would therefore only require a smaller set of test weights. 

By contrast, anyone selling food such as meat will be using larger measurements, which will necessitate larger scales. 

Using the minimum and maximum measurements your scales are capable of is also a great way to tell what weights are right for you. 

At Solent Scales, we sell a large variety of test weights in all shapes and sizes. If you know which is right for your operation, visit our dedicated page.

If you’d like further assistance, get in touch with one of our experts.