{"id":5502,"date":"2022-03-08T07:30:57","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T13:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/?p=5502"},"modified":"2022-03-10T17:02:34","modified_gmt":"2022-03-10T23:02:34","slug":"lab-balance-troubleshoot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/","title":{"rendered":"Lab balance: How to troubleshoot"},"content":{"rendered":"

What do you do when your lab balance isn\u2019t working?<\/h2>\n

Having trouble getting your lab balance to work properly? We have a few ideas for you to try that may save your balance and your science from stalling. The problem may not be as difficult as you think. For the smaller problems, you can fix it yourself. But when the issues get a little more complicated, it\u2019s best to call a qualified service specialist. <\/a><\/p>\n

Lab balance problems usually fall into one of the following categories:<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

User problems<\/h3>\n

You may be asking the balance for something it cannot do or is confused by the modes and functions of a balance. It is also possible you may have\u00a0 set a parameter that has affected the balance operation. Resetting the parameter to a normal value will restore operation.<\/p>\n

Mechanical problems<\/h3>\n

The balances consist of complicated and fragile mechanical devices. They can be damaged by placing a weight on it which is too high for the balance<\/a> or by dropping the balance or occasionally shipping it without taking care. The most fragile parts are the flexures. Dust, dirt, spills and other foreign objects in the balance can also cause problems.<\/p>\n

Electronic problems<\/h3>\n

These are the rarest of the problems affecting balances. If an electronic problem is suspected make sure the mechanical problems that can cause similar symptoms have been eliminated before attempting electronic repairs. With the exception of cables most electronic repairs are solved by board replacement.<\/p>\n

Common problems and solutions<\/h2>\n

Use this table as a general guide for troubleshooting your lab balance. When you see an asterisk by a solution, you need to contact a qualified service specialist.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
General Troubleshooting Guide<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Balance does not function<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Problems<\/strong><\/td>\nPossible causes<\/strong><\/td>\nSuggestions<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The balance is dead when power is applied.<\/span><\/td>\nPower supply failure<\/span><\/td>\nCheck to see if adapter is working.<\/span>
\nCheck that adapter is correct for the balance.<\/span>
\n*Power supply circuit board failure<\/span>
\n*Short circuit on any circuit board<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The display does not turn on but the calibration motor moves when power is applied.<\/span><\/td>\nPower is getting to balance, display is not working<\/span><\/td>\n*Display cables may be faulty<\/span>
\n*Display module failure<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The display stays on the initial test screen when power is applied. Calibration weight motor is on.<\/span><\/td>\nUnstable balance<\/span>
\nBalance not working correct<\/span>
\nPower supply<\/span><\/td>\n		*Check if balance is stable by using service<\/span>
\nmenu and view A\/D values.<\/span>
\nPut draught shield over pan.<\/span>
\nCheck power supplies.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Balance works but is not stable<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Balance is unstable by a few divisions.<\/span><\/td>\nNoise or vibration from environment Friction in mechanics<\/span><\/td>\nCheck the balance is positioned correctly to avoid vibration, wind or air movement, it is on a solid table, It is not near sources of heat or cool air.<\/span>
\nCheck balance with weights if problem occurs when sample is used.<\/span>
\nStatic electricity on the samples can cause drifting and instability.<\/span>
\nCheck the area around the weighing pan for hair, dust, obstructions under the pan.<\/span>
\n*A complete inspection of the mechanics to look for sources of friction may be needed.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Balance is very unstable and does not weigh correctly.<\/span><\/td>\nMechanical problems<\/span>
\nBalance programming<\/span>
\nElectronic problems<\/span><\/td>\n		*A complete inspection of the mechanics to look for sources of friction.<\/span>
\n*Verify the A\/D is also unstable. If the A\/D is OK then suspect the programming of the balance. Reset parameters, check linearity and redo the calibration. Some electronic problems can also cause this. But all mechanical problems must be resolved first.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Balance is not accurate<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You must have accurate and trusted weights<\/a> to test a balance. If you suspect that the balance is not accurate then you must know your weights are accurate. A balance calibrated using a bag of flour is not accurate even if it works OK otherwise.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Balance is not accurate<\/span><\/td>\nRepeatability<\/span>
\nEccentric loading<\/span>
\nLinearity<\/span><\/td>\n		Verify the balance shows the same value when the same mass is placed on the center of the pan for a few tests.<\/span>
\nVerify the balance shows the same reading (within a tolerance depending upon the model) when a mass is placed at positions around the pan.<\/span>
\nVerify the balance is acceptable throughout the weighing range. The balance must give acceptable readings from low weights up to the capacity.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Poor repeatability<\/span><\/td>\nUsually a mechanical problem<\/span><\/td>\nInspect the area around the pan for hair, dust or other obstructions.<\/span>
\n*Inspection of the mechanics may be needed for any possible problems.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Poor eccentric loading<\/span><\/td>\nA mechanical problem<\/span><\/td>\nInspect the area around the pan for hair, dust or other obstructions.<\/span>
\n*Inspection of the mechanics may be needed for any possible problems.<\/span>
\n*Readjusting of the Eccentric Loading is recommended.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Poor linearity<\/span><\/td>\nUsually a mechanical problem<\/span>
\nElectronic problems<\/span><\/td>\n		Re-check repeatability<\/span>
\n*Inspection of the flexures for damage or loose hardware may be required<\/span>
\n*Use the Linearity Function in the service menu to reset linearity<\/span>
\n*A problem in the analogue circuit board or power supplies can cause poor linearity. Make sure all mechanical problems have been eliminated first.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other issues<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cannot calibrate<\/td>\nZero shifted more than allowed Calibration timeout<\/td>\n*Check all flexures for damage.<\/span>
\n*Reset dealer calibration.<\/span>
\n*Verify linearity and repeatability.<\/span>
\n*The balance may be unstable. Verify stability as above.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Calibration weight motor does not stop<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n*Check the cables to the motor, try plugging the balance into the power again.<\/span>
\n*Look for friction in the calibration weight movement.<\/span>
\n*Check the opto-coupler that controls the motor position.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RS-232 not working<\/span><\/td>\nDoesn\u2019t print<\/span><\/td>\nCheck parameters match the device connected. Verify cable is correct.<\/span>
\n*RS-232 circuits damaged<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Display dark, keys beep<\/span><\/td>\nDisplay contrast poor<\/span>
\nCable unplugged or damaged<\/span><\/td>\n		*Check the cables to the display.<\/span>
\n*Replace the display which could be damaged.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
*To be carried out by authorized technicians only.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

See our complete line of balances.<\/a><\/h2>\n

Need help with finding a new balance?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

Complete this form and one of our technical experts will contact you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[contact-form][contact-field label=\u201dName\u201d type=\u201dname\u201d required=\u201dtrue\u201d \/][contact-field label=\u201dEmail\u201d type=\u201demail\u201d required=\u201dtrue\u201d \/][contact-field label=\u201dWebsite\u201d type=\u201durl\u201d \/][contact-field label=\u201dMessage\u201d type=\u201dtextarea\u201d \/][\/contact-form]<\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/h2>\n

Is A Touch-Screen Balance Worth It?<\/a><\/p>\n

Balance Best Practices for Lab Balance Use\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/a><\/p>\n

\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What do you do when your lab balance isn\u2019t working? Having trouble getting your lab balance to work properly? We have a few ideas for you to try that may save your balance and your…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":14208,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[116],"class_list":["post-5502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-balances-scales","tag-balances"],"yoast_head":"\nLab balance: How to troubleshoot | Antylia Scientific Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Having trouble with your lab balance? Here is a guide to troubleshoot that may save your balance and stop your science from stalling.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lab balance: How to troubleshoot | Antylia Scientific Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Having trouble with your lab balance? Here is a guide to troubleshoot that may save your balance and stop your science from stalling.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cole-Parmer Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antylia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-03-08T13:30:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-03-10T23:02:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Cole-Parmer-Touch-Screen-Balance.jpg?fit=350%2C350&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"350\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"350\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cole-Parmer Blog Team\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@antylia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@antylia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Cole-Parmer Blog Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Lab balance: How to troubleshoot | Antylia Scientific Blog","description":"Having trouble with your lab balance? Here is a guide to troubleshoot that may save your balance and stop your science from stalling.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Lab balance: How to troubleshoot | Antylia Scientific Blog","og_description":"Having trouble with your lab balance? Here is a guide to troubleshoot that may save your balance and stop your science from stalling.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/","og_site_name":"Cole-Parmer Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antylia","article_published_time":"2022-03-08T13:30:57+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-03-10T23:02:34+00:00","og_image":[{"width":350,"height":350,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Cole-Parmer-Touch-Screen-Balance.jpg?fit=350%2C350&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Cole-Parmer Blog Team","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@antylia","twitter_site":"@antylia","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Cole-Parmer Blog Team","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/"},"author":{"name":"Cole-Parmer Blog Team","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/bd8d004d4d77d6b31800fa11177c6da9"},"headline":"Lab balance: How to troubleshoot","datePublished":"2022-03-08T13:30:57+00:00","dateModified":"2022-03-10T23:02:34+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/"},"wordCount":1011,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Cole-Parmer-Touch-Screen-Balance.jpg","keywords":["balances"],"articleSection":["Balances & Scales"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/","url":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/","name":"Lab balance: How to troubleshoot | Antylia Scientific Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Cole-Parmer-Touch-Screen-Balance.jpg","datePublished":"2022-03-08T13:30:57+00:00","dateModified":"2022-03-10T23:02:34+00:00","description":"Having trouble with your lab balance? Here is a guide to troubleshoot that may save your balance and stop your science from stalling.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Cole-Parmer-Touch-Screen-Balance.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Cole-Parmer-Touch-Screen-Balance.jpg","width":350,"height":350,"caption":"laboratory balance"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.de\/blog\/lab-balance-troubleshoot\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Lab balance: How to troubleshoot"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/","name":"Cole-Parmer Blog","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Antylia Scientific","url":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.coleparmer.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/AntyliaScientific_CMYK.jpg?fit=400%2C107&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.coleparmer.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/AntyliaScientific_CMYK.jpg?fit=400%2C107&ssl=1","width":400,"height":107,"caption":"Antylia Scientific"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antylia","https:\/\/x.com\/antylia","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/antylia\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC41i86hGEGhQhM1KMqrDnZg"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/bd8d004d4d77d6b31800fa11177c6da9","name":"Cole-Parmer Blog Team","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e3e6aa661d0e443fb9050a9175a092?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e3e6aa661d0e443fb9050a9175a092?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Cole-Parmer Blog Team"},"url":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/author\/donna-donahue\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5502"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14297,"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5502\/revisions\/14297"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14208"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coleparmer.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}