What is the Difference Between a Balance and a Scale?
While scales and balances are both used as weighing devices, their intended purposes slightly vary. A scale is used to measure weight (weight = the force of gravity on an object on the scale) whereas a balance is used to measure mass. (mass = the amount of matter in an object).
Scales VS Balances – the basics.
While the design and inner functions of a scale will vary between brands, size, and even country, they all work the same by calculating weight and measuring force. Essentially, the scale takes then measures the force of the load converting the information to the reader. While scales are common in grocery stores and even household bathrooms, they’re used for precise measurements in the medical industry, through to weighing transport
One of the earliest forms of measuring, a balance determines mass by balancing an unknown mass against a known mass – think of a see-saw. Today, most modern balance instruments typically use a force mechanism to create a balance by the force exerted by the unknown mass.
Scales VS Balances – the nitty gritty
Today’s terminology would define a balance as a scale with a higher resolution. Balances have features including mass unit conversion, counting, percentage, limit functions for check weighing, or specific-gravity weighing. Scales, on the other hand, have gross, tare, and net indications, printing, and units-of-measure conversion.
In terms of components between the two, a scale normally consists of a load cell base, a display, A/D and CPU processor. A balance on the other hand may have a load cell, force restoration, or tuning-fork weighing mechanism, a display, processor, and display graduations in excess of 100,000.
While scales normally do not specify repeatability, balances typically do have one displayed graduation. Although both the scale and balance could be used to weigh a product, balances have limited capacity and size in order to maintain high display graduations.
Purchasing – Which is best for me?
Choosing between a scale and a balance largely depends on how you want to use the product. Will you be weighing large trucks or small batches of pharmaceuticals? Will you require indoor or outdoor use? While there are many things to consider, here are what we consider to be the top two:
- Readability: Typically, balances offer better readability than scales, especially when used for weighing in smaller increments.
- Capacity: How much weight will you be weighing? Don’t underestimate! Doing so could mean a faulty read or an expensive repair/replacement.
If you still have more questions about the difference between a scale and a balance or if you’re ready to make a purchase give us a call toll-free at 1-866-284-2223. From heavy truck and vehicle scales to floor scales and portable scales, Active Scale has the solutions to meet your weighing challenges.