Let’s raise the subject of dead loads. What are they and how can you use the knowledge to benefit your customers? Let’s discuss.
What is a Dead Load?
A dead load on a weighing scale or balance is how much weight the load cell is continuously handling, even if the scale has been calibrated to ignore it in the results. It’s the opposite of a live load, or a load that’s actively placed on the pan to be measured.
For example, consider something that’s almost never removed from a scale. It constantly puts an even pressure on the load cell or force restoration mechanism, but you would never know because the weight of it doesn’t appear in the results. Have you figured it out? The weighing pan!
How Does a Dead Load Impact Your Customer’s Weighing Process?
If they’re using the scale with the sole dead load being the original hardware, then it won’t impact their weighing process at all. A scale being used with its intended pan has been built and designed with this in mind. It’s already been calibrated to accommodate the constant weight as if it’s not there.
However, you may want to recommend a heavier fitted accessory, like a , to suit your customer's weighing needs. If they’ll be using it frequently enough, it would be justifiable for them to create a dead load.
Conditions for Creating a Dead Load
Your customers shouldn’t create a dead load whenever or with anything they want, it’s only a valid practice under specific circumstances:
1. The accessory will be fitted to the scale, as a permanent addition
- Containers like scoops or bins should not be dead loaded, even if tared, to maintain the net weight in records
2. The fitted accessory weighs more than 10% of the scale’s capacity
- If it weighs less, the scale will automatically zero the weight and the capacity will remain in full as if it’s not there
- Above 10%, the scale will have a hard time zeroing or taring, so a dead load is the next option. However, the capacity will be reduced accordingly to prevent overloads
3. The scale allows for external calibration and does not contain internal test weights
4. The scale is not legal-for-trade or used to price items by weight
- Altering the calibration can void the legal-for-trade status
Creating a Dead Load
If the above conditions are met, it’s safe to suggest that your customer creates a dead load. They’ll need to call Adam Equipment’s service team to walk them through a factory calibration – a precaution to prevent unintentionally changing other important settings.
Once the scale has undergone a factory calibration with the accessory on the pan, it will have a redefined concept of zero. Your customer will never see the weight of the accessory in the results, tared or untared. In fact, their scale may even show an error code if the accessory is removed.
Simple!
Interested in learning more about how to create a dead load? Contact the Adam team, we’ll be happy to help.
