Triple Beam Balance

This balance is operated by positioning the 10g, 500g, and 100g sliding weights (also called riders or poises) along the three notched, tiered beams. Magnetic damping speeds weighing, causing the beam to come to rest quickly without affecting sensitivity or accuracy, while the spring-loaded zero adjust compensator allows fine adjustments for accurate readings. The weighing platform is top loading, comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, and is easily accessible for unobstructed placement of samples. The rugged metal base and beams provide a durable foundation for use in the classroom or laboratory, and stability when weighing. This balance is manufactured to ISO 9001:2000 standards.

Balances are measuring instruments used to determine the mass of an object, while scales are used to measure the weight of an object. The measurement results from balances are generally considered to be more precise compared to results from scales. Mechanical balances are the simplest type of balance, and use a lever and slide to indicate the measurement.

Conventional balances are commonly used in offices, the jewelry industry, and in kitchens, and display results digitally, but are less precise than analytical balances. Analytical balances measure to a high degree of precision and accuracy (0.0001g or better), and display results digitally. These balances have a cover with doors to prevent dust and airflow from affecting the measurement. Moisture balances analyze moisture content in a material sample, using infrared or halogen heat sources to dry the sample and then calculate the moisture content from the before- and after-drying weight, and display results digitally, on the balance, or transfer the information for display on a computer.