A professional manufacture and sales of various electronic balances, moisture analyzers, viscometers and laboratory instrument manufacturer of weight measure instruments..
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A professional manufacture and sales of various electronic balances, moisture analyzers, viscometers and laboratory instrument manufacturer of weight measure instruments..
If you ask multiple individuals about the tasks related to running an analytical lab, one task will be common in all cases. That is maintaining the electronic analytical balances. It is a crucial part of any lab that ensures you obtain accurate and precise results.
As electronic analytical balances are highly sensitive, you must be careful about the use and maintenance of these balances. In this quick guide, we will discuss the key steps in maintaining an electronic analytical balance and top tips to keep the balance in good shape.
Why Does an Electronic Analytical Balance Need Regular Maintenance?
An electronic balance is a precision equipment and its functionality is based on the multiple pieces of equipment. From electronic to environmental elements, many factors can alter the accuracy and precision of electronic analytical balances. Here is why you need to maintain such balances regularly.
1. The Balance Needs to Be Clean
Electronic analytical balances are commonly used to measure tiny masses. If the lab environment isn’t clean, dust particles can accumulate on the balance. This will alter the reading when you measure something.
So, you must use the balance in a clean environment and encase it when not in use. Still, the balance needs to be cleaned periodically to ensure there is no inaccuracy in your experiments.
2. Environmental Elements Can Alter the Accuracy
As environmental elements, like temperature or moisture, impact electronic analytical balances, they need to be used carefully. Still, the balances are exposed to environmental elements while in use. Over time, these elements alter the accuracy and precision of the electronic analytical balance.
This is why analytical balances need regular maintenance, especially if you use the balance often.
3. Analytical Balances Require Precise Calibration
Electronic analytical balances can go out of calibration more frequently than you will anticipate. The main purpose of using these balances is to obtain the highest accurate reading. But when the balance is out of calibration, you won’t get that accuracy from the balance.
So, you need to calibrate analytical balances periodically. In some industries, you might need to follow NIST standards to calibrate analytical balances. These calibrations need to be traceable.
4. The Balance May Need Leveling After Long Storage
Besides other corrections, electronic analytical balances need level correction when you use the balance after a long time. Especially if you store the balance in a place where the balance is prone to bumping with other objects, leveling is a crucial part of regular maintenance.
Tips and Best Practices for Maintaining Electronic Analytical Balances
The maintenance procedure for electronic analytical balances is a bit complex. We will share the industry’s best practices and provide expert tips for this comprehensive workflow.
Cleaning Process
During this step, you need to clean dust or debris from the balance, especially the weighing pan. You must turn the balance off prior to cleaning it to avoid hazards.
First, you need to dry wipe the weighing pan to remove as much dust or debris as possible. Then, you can use a mild detergent to clean the balance.
· Pro Tip: Never use any abrasive scrubber or harsh chemical to clean electronic analytical balances.
Calibration Process
The calibration process requires detailed documentation so that you can be sure about the accuracy of the balance during an experiment. To ensure this, you need to use standard weights. These are weights certified by regulatory bodies or balance manufacturers.
On a clean balance, you need to place the weights and adjust the balance until the correct result is shown on the balance.
· Pro Tip: Use data-specific sheets to document all the parameters of the calibration process.
Other Maintenance
Other maintenance options include controlling environmental factors, inspecting the parts of the balance, etc. You can start it by setting the temperature, humidity, and airflow of the laboratory at the recommended level.
You should also inspect the balance for signs of broken seals or gaskets. Power cables, display lights, etc., should also be inspected regularly to ensure the balance works accurately.
· Pro Tip: Lab technicians might not always be trained enough to perform repairs. If the balance has a serious problem, consult a professional technician.
Conclusion
Electronic analytical balances probably need more maintenance than any other equipment in the lab due to their sensitive nature. As the slightest impact on the accuracy of the balance can greatly alter the result, maintaining electronic analytical balances regularly is essential. However, new users might not be aware of all the factors they need to consider during maintenance.
We compiled the crucial factors for maintaining an electronic analytical balance. Besides, we shared the maintenance process and some tips to keep your analytical balances pristine. A well-maintained analytical balance is expected to give you the most accurate result. So, you must put some effort into its maintenance.
We also provide customized electronic balances/ laboratory scales with special functions according to customer needs.
