Highly precise laboratory balances for measuring mass, typically designed with an enclosed measuring pan to avoid the influences of dust and air currents; may include vibration resistance, data transfer, automation, and capacity range options.
Why Analytical Balance?
Analytical lab balances are the most used balances in a laboratory. They have a maximum weighing capacity between 60 g and 520 g, coming with a readability of 0.1 mg they are commonly used for weighing small samples. Sometimes lab balances with a readability of 0.01 mg or 10 µg are also called analytical balances. To meet the requirements of your specific application, specially designed weighing pans, sample holders, and software applications are available to simplify your weighing processes and lab workflows.
FAQ
Analytical balances are sensitive lab instruments designed to accurately measure mass. Their readability is 0.1 mg. Sometimes also semi-micro balances with a readability of 0.01 mg are included in this term. Normally, analytical balances are equipped with a draft shield to prevent the weighing process is not affected by air currents.
It is critical that you monitor and calibrate your analytical balance regularly. You can use automatic internal calibration (isoCAL) but additionally to this, it is recommended to calibrate the balance with external certified weights as well. The frequency of external calibration depends on numerous factors, e.g.
- Frequency of usage: calibration should be done more often if the balance is used daily, as compared to the scales which are used on a weekly basis. If you use the balances daily, they should be calibrated at least once a day.
- Changing environmental conditions: if a balance is kept in changing environmental conditions or the scales are located in a place close to vibration source, AC system, in front of window, next to a door etc. we recommend to calibrate the balance more often.
- Manufacturer´s recommendation
- Relocation: your balance or scale must be calibrated after relocation. Why? Gravity is not the same everywhere on Earth, therefore every place in the world is positioned differently to “magnetic north” This results in slight gravitational differences, depending on a particular location’s altitude compared to sea level. As balances measure the force of gravity pulling the mass toward the center of the Earth, as soon as you relocate your balance (e.g. even to a different floor), the balance will display a different value, as the force will vary.
Analytical balances combine high measurement accuracy with a short measurement time of only a few seconds. They are used for routine use in a wide range of applications in many laboratories, in totalizing, averaging and dosing applications, or in general sample preparation for subsequent analysis.
An analytical balance has a readability of 0.1 mg, while a precision balance typically has a readability of ≥1 mg. Thus, an analytical balance has at least 10 times more readability compared to a precision balance.
Just determine the number of digits listed for your balance's resolution, then check the chart below for the specific accuracy class your balance must have. The nominal mass value of your weight should be greater than 80% of the maximum capacity of your balance.
Example: Let's say your balance has a maximum capacity of 2200 g and a readability of 0.01 g. This gives 220,000 digits, which corresponds to a class E2 weight. Select 2000 g as the nominal mass value.
Put the balance in standby mode and perform the necessary cleaning steps, taking care not to leave any residue on the surface. Complete the balance calibration step and perform the daily check.
Sartorius laboratory balances are designed to follow US FDA data integrity principles that require data to be accurate, legible, contemporaneous and original (ALCOA).
Cubis® II premium laboratory balance with the pharmaceutical package, contains all technical controls that support full compliance with common regulations.
