Have you begun to notice one of your trusted scales giving you some trouble? When scales are properly maintained they can last a considerable amount of time, delivering accurate results that you can depend on. Over time, however, if you begin to miss regularly scheduled maintenance or work-related incidences (such as shock loading) occur, your scales may start to degrade and give less than reliable results. If you’re concerned about the accuracy of your scale, but aren’t quite sure whether or not it’s in immediate need of repair or replacement, below are some common issues to keep an eye out for.
1. Inconsistent Results
It comes as no surprise that one of the most obvious signs that your scale is flawed is inaccurate readings. Though it can take time to catch, if you observe items suddenly weighing more or less than their standard, or even inconsistent numbers from load to load, this is a good indicator that something has gone amiss.
If you’re working with a digital scale, it may simply need to be reset, but if simple fixes don’t address the problem, it’s time to contact a professional to have your equipment more thoroughly evaluated.
2. Different Readings from Scale to Scale
Similar to above, if you notice that one machine suddenly gives you different readings compared to other units that are calibrated to the same settings, that’s a sure sign something is off. In many cases, this kind of error comes down to the load cells of the inaccurate scale needing to be recalibrated (as they should be every few months and/or yearly), but if shock loading -accidentally dropping a heavy object on the scale from a significant height- has occurred, or recalibration fails, you may need to look into replacement over repair.
3. Unstable Readings
Do you notice your readings struggling to provide a solid number? Whether you have a digital scale that starts fluctuating or a manual scale that can’t quite arrive on a dedicated result, you likely need to have some adjustments done. These kinds of fluctuations, also called “drifting” become common as temperatures drop and humidity decreases, leading to a build up of static electricity that can affect your load cells or weight controller.
4. Unreadable Display
If your display has become difficult to see or decipher, you need to contact a repair person right away. There’s many different causes that can lead to this occurring, including a burnt out display, power source, failure and more. Simply put, if you can’t read your results, your device is no longer viable for active use and needs to be serviced as soon as possible.
5. Rust or Other Corrosive Damage
If your scale is located outside or within an environment that’s exposed to corrosive elements, it’s inevitable that corrosion or rust will occur over time. Staying on top of any visible issues and having your scales routinely checked can help to delay this, but once you do see developing signs, a close look is needed. Never delay repair or replacement where rust and corrosion is concerned, especially when working with heavy loads that demand precision.
Scale Calibration and More at Accurate Scale
As one of Western Canada’s leading suppliers of weighing solutions, including calibrating and repair, Accurate Scale is here to help you with all your weighing needs. Contact us today to learn more about getting your scales fixed by our experts!