How to Know if a Scale is Accurate

Adjust the scale to zero. Sometimes the scale has to be set to zero for accurate alignment. Depending on the scale, you can do this in two ways. If it’s a mechanical scale, press down on the pan with your hand, then release it. The scale’s dial will return to zero. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to turn the knob, usually located under the scale or near the scale’s dial, to set the scale to zero (when nothing is on the scale). pan). Check again to make sure it’s in place.

• For electronic scales, you do the same thing as a mechanical scale, except that you need to adjust the balance with an electronic button instead of a knob. ^[1]

Weigh a familiar object. One way to check the accuracy of a health scale is to test an object for which you already know its weight. The object needs to be heavy enough for the scale to measure the weight, but light enough to be placed on the scale. Try using things like an unopened bag of flour or sugar. These food bags usually have a fixed weight of about 2.5 to 5 kg.

• The weight of the paper or plastic packaging is not sufficient to bias the results. However, if the flour or sugar comes in a heavy-duty container or metal container, the weight measurement will not be accurate, so you should choose a different item.
• You can also try using dumbbells. Weight is indicated on the side of the dumbbell. Try weighing the dumbbell to see if your scale gives the same result as the weight recorded. ^[2]

Reweigh the object several times. One point that the scale is not accurate is that each time weighing the same object gives different results. You can check the accuracy of the scale by weighing an object of known weight, such as a dumbbell or a bag of sugar. Place the specimen on the scale and record the measured weight. Remove the object on the scale to return the scale to zero. Place the object on the scale again and record the weight. Repeat this at least 5 times to ensure consistent results across multiple weighings.

• You may weigh more than once if the readings are inconsistent. Remember that the number of weighings must be odd to allow for a difference to help you choose results with more of the same number of times. ^[3]

Weigh two objects together. Another way to check the accuracy of a scale is to weigh two objects at the same time. This way often weighs heavier weights, allowing you to test the accuracy of the scale at a higher level. In addition, it also checks the accuracy of the scale when the weight is not evenly distributed, which is useful when you are weighing your body, as sometimes you cannot keep your balance 100% while standing on it. weigh.

• Place an object on the scale and record the weight. Lift the object and let the scale return to zero. Place the other object on the scale and record its weight. Lift the weighed object and let the scale return to zero. Now you will weigh both objects at the same time and record the combined weight of the two. Add the previous two results of weighing each object separately to see if the answer matches the combined weight of the two objects.
• If the results match, the scale is correct. If it doesn’t match, try weighing it again to see if it’s the correct number. If it is the same this time, your scale is probably always wrong by that amount. ^[4]

Weigh your body weight while holding an object. You can also try stepping on the scale to weigh yourself and record the weight, then weigh it again while holding an object of mass X, such as a 2.5 kg dumbbell or a bag of dough 0.5 kg noodles. Check that this time the increment is equal to the weight of the object being held. If it matches, the scale is correct.

• For example, if you step on the scale and read 65 kg, then this number should increase to 67.5 kg if you are holding a 2.5 kg dumbbell.

Change the weighing position. The surface where the scale is placed can affect the accuracy of the scale. It is best to place the scale on a hard surface, such as a bathroom or kitchen floor. Carpeted floors or soft surfaces can sag, causing the scale to lose its balance and distort the results. Try weighing objects or weighing your body at the location where the scale is located. Adjust the scale to zero and take it to another more stable position. Weigh the item again. The weight obtained this time must be equal to the previous weighing. If the result doesn’t match, then one of the two positions gave the wrong result. Check by weighing an object of known weight to find the exact location.

• Try to keep the scale in the same place every day. So, even if the scale is a little inaccurate, you will have a certain error every day. This means that any weight gain or loss, whether accurate or not, represents the amount of weight you have gained or lost, since the starting point of the scale has the same number. ^[5]