A high precision balance is a vital instrument for many scientific and industrial applications. In addition to providing accurate measurements, they also assist in achieving regulatory compliance and propelling breakthroughs across a broad range of industries and disciplines. Choosing the right one depends on the type of samples you’re weighing. Understanding the differences between analytical and precision balances can help you determine which is best suited to your needs.
The most important difference between these two types of lab scales is that precision is more concerned with the agreement between individual measurement results and the consistency of those measurements under the same conditions. This is measured by the standard deviation or relative standard deviation (RSD) values. The higher the value, the less consistent and precise the weighing result.
On the other hand, accuracy is more concerned with whether or not a measuring result actually corresponds to the true or accepted value of the sample being weighed. This is usually measured by the smallest increment of change in the measurement, and can be determined by comparing the measurement to the actual value of the sample under similar conditions.
In order to ensure that an analytical balance provides the most precise and reliable measurements possible, it is essential to regularly calibrate it. This process involves adjusting the balance to an established reference standard and correcting any deviations that may arise. Many analytical balances are designed with internal calibration systems that can be triggered automatically, and it is also possible to connect the scale to external calibration devices that can assess its precision independently. high precision balance