Care and Maintenance

of the Weigh Balance

Ohaus Voyager Series
Weigh Balance
Importance of Calibrating
Weigh Balance
• To ensure that the instrument
accurately weighs substances for
reagent preparation
 Weigh Balance Location
Best environment for a
weigh balance:

• Free of vibration
• No large temperature
fluctuations
• No direct sunlight and
• No drafts
 Weigh Balance Calibration
• Calibration is important to
ensure that the instrument
accurately weighs
substances for reagent
preparation
• Test results may be
incorrect due to instrument
malfunction
Weigh Balance Calibration
(continued)
• Use NIST Class S weights for
calibration
• Verify that class S weights and balance
pan are free from dust and fingerprints
• Only “User” calibration will be
discussed here
• Note: NEVER touch the weights or the
balance pan with bare hands!
“User” Calibration Method
• The “User” method is used to calibrate
the balance using a mass of known
value
• Three readings should be taken for the
six specified weights: 50, 100, 200,
500, 2000 and 4000
• Record value in grams
“User” Calibration Method
(continued)

• Place selected mass value on

balance pan
• Record reading of weight of the
calibration masses. Removing
masses from pan returns balance to
weighing mode.
Balance Calibration Worksheet
Balance Calibration Worksheet

– Document each
Laboratory: ___________________

Balance: ______________________

time the balance is Calibration Check Date: __________

Technician: ____________________

calibrated Precision/Reproducibility: 0.1 mg

1 mg 10 mg 50 mg

– How often? 1. ______

2. ______
3. ______
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
Avg. ____ Avg. ____ Avg. ____

– Log should contain 1g

1. ______
100 g
1. ______

at least the 2. ______

3. ______
Avg. ____
2. ______
3. ______
Avg. ____

following Sensitivity Verification:

information:
Date Tech 10 mg 10 mg + 1 mg 50 mg 50 mg + 1 mg 100 g 100 g + 1 g

Reviewed by: ____________________ Date: _____________

Verify Sensitivity of the Balance
• To check sensitivity of the balance, keep
weighing paper on balance pan
• Make sure the balance reads ‘zero’
• Using tweezers, gently place the 10 mg
weight on the balance weighing pan
• After the balance stops fluctuating, read
the weighing and record on the Balance
Calibration Worksheet
Verify Sensitivity of the Balance
(continued)
• While the 10 mg weight remains on the
balance pan, using the tweezers, gently add
the 1 mg weight
• After the balance stops fluctuating, record
the reading in the Balance Calibration
Worksheet
• Repeat the above steps for each weighing
to complete the Sensitivity Verification
section on the Balance Calibration
Worksheet
Maintenance and Care of Balance
• Keep balance clean - daily, wipe
balance with a damp cloth
• A mild detergent may be used
• Never weigh materials directly on
weigh pan
• Keep calibration masses in a safe, dry
place
• Never touch the masses with bare
hands
• Cover balance when not in use