A:Capacity is the maximum weight that the scale can accommodate at one time. Your heaviest item that you place on the scale should determine what capacity you need. For instance, the LT- MS 500g/0.1g has a 500g capacity. This scale would be suitable for weighing small items that weigh less than 500g.

A:The scales accuracy is the smallest increment of weight that the scale displays (display accuracy). For the LT-MS 500g/0.1g, the accuracy is 0.1g . This means that the scale counts up in increments of 0.1g (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4g......and so on). Another scale may have an accuracy of 0.5g, meaning it would count up by 0.5g like: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5.... Therefore, you would never see the display show: 1.4 or something.

Note:Accuracy and capacity are the two most important specifications for selecting your scale. They will also play a big role in how much the scale will cost. A scale that is 1000g x 1g is going to be cheaper than a scale which weighs 1000g x 0.1g. Therefore, you should select a scale based off of the measurements you require. Accuracy is also written as Resolution or Readability.

A:The size of the scales weighing platform (also written Weighing Tray) is the platform that you set your weighing items on. Most weighing platform of Lanter scales are stainless steel. Some are plastic. You will have a large enough tray area to hold most of your sample, but it is ok if some of it hangs over the side as long as it is balanced and centered on the platform. Also your sample should never rest against anything other than the scales weighing tray, otherwise your readout will be inaccurate. You can also buy expansion trays with many scales, but some even come with them. When you use expansion trays, the Tare function is used to reset the scale to zero after adding the tray.

A:An expansion tray effectively increases the scales weighing platform size, and allows for easy management of items that would otherwise fall off the scale.

A:Tare is used to reset the scale to zero. This can be used to weigh items using a container that you set on the scale. To use the Tare function, place the container or tray (tare item) on the scale and press the Tare button. Your scale should go to zero allowing you to now add items to the container and only see the weight of those items within it (net weight).

A:Calibration is the process of adjusting a scales precision using known weights (calibration weights ). Calibration should only be performed if your scale is not weighing properly. After calibration, the scale should display the exact weight that is placed on the tray (within a certain tolerance), and also go to Zero when removing any weight. Typically, a scale calibrates at two points: zero and at the end of its span (span calibration). So, for the LT-MS 500g/0.1g, calibration starts with nothing on the scale (to get the zero weight), then the scale will ask for a 500g weight. Other scales might have linear calibration, which calibrates at 3 points (zero, center span, end span). You should check your user manual for calibration instructions.

A:Calibration weights are known masses such as a 100g or 500g weight. It is important to use the correct calibration weight when calibrating a scale. Otherwise, your scale could become highly inaccurate. For instance, if during calibration, the scale asked for you to place 200g weight on the tray, and you placed 100g instead, your weight readouts on the display would show at twice what their actual weight was. For instance, if you placed 1g on the scale it would say 2g, 4g would say 8g, and so on. Obviously, this is not how you would want your scale to perform. Check availability of weights with your scale supplier, or check here for our Calibration Weights section . Calibration weights do not always come with a scale.

A:Linearity is a scales ability to produce the same accurate readout throughout the entire span. Linearity is mostly listed on specification sheets for the high-end precision /industrial scales . To test linearity of a scale, you would use multiple weights, each of which is a fraction of the scales total capacity. When placed on the scale together, the weight should equal the sum of each individual weight.

A:Repeatability, like Linearity, is a specification most seen on precision /industrial scale specification sheets. It refers to the scales ability to display the same weight consistently for an object and return to zero each weighing cycle.

A:Most digital scales use a sensor to convert weight to a digital signal. Sensors typically consist of a block of metal with a strain guage attached that can detect the slight variations in stress on the metal. The strain guage detects the change in electrical resistance and converts this to a digital signal. The scales microprocessor converts this signal to a weight and displays it on the LCD.

A:In a capacitance Sensor, two thin metal wafers are set at a small distance apart. As weight is added to the scale, the pressure pushes the two plates closer together. The signal is sent to a microprocessor which then converts it into a weight readout. Capacitance cells aren't quite as popular as sensors, but are used in the 1479V from Tanita . Capacitance sensors are designed to be more durable than straining resistance sensor, but are also said to not be as accurate.

A1:Overload is the #1 cause of Fatal scale errors. Scales are only designed to weigh up to their maximum capacity. For instance, the LT-AS 150g/0.1g is designed to weigh up to 150 grams. If you put 500 grams on the scale even once, you can crush or deform the load cell and cause fatal damage to the scale. Be careful! Don't put a scale in your back pocket, even the hard case scales. Your large behind will always crush the load cell and destroy the scale.

Note:All Later scales are equipped with "overload protection board" inside to protect scale from damaging of "careless" overloading from upside and downside. But we suggest you never overload a scale if possible. There is not a single scale in existence that cannot be destroyed by overload.

A2:Mishandling is the #2 cause of fatal scale errors. If you drop or otherwise mishandle your scale, it can cause a fatal problem. Scales are precise instruments. They have delicate sensors that can easily be damaged by mishandling.

A3:Shipment damage is the #3 cause of fatal scale errors. Consumers are used to throwing their calculators and products into a briefcase and allowing them to get shifted and banged around. Scales can't be treated this way! Shipper, UPS & the Post office are the true enemy of all scales. They'll sometimes throw your box around like a football before they deliver it. Then, you receive it and the scale won't work. We do our best to safety pack all scales, but Shipper, UPS & the post office throw them around anyway! If we put "Fragile" on the outside of the box, to them it seems to mean "give it an extra whack". All scales are tested before we ship them, they all work perfectly. UPS and the Postman can easily break your scales without leaving a mark so it is essential that you test all scales before you sign for them. If you ever ship a scale, be sure to safety-pack the box with extra padding. Warranty and Return

A:Low Batteries, bad battery connections & Faulty AC Adaptors are the main cause of scale malfunction and inaccuracy. Please check your batteries and change new ones if necessary. A scale will perform slowly, or read inaccurately when it has low batteries. Please replace or recharge the batteries often (and only use good quality batteries). If your scale simply won't turn on while on Battery power, this is often caused by loose battery connections.

A Faulty AC adaptor can cause your scale to act unstable with numbers "jumping" all around. Please test your scale with a good set of batteries (instead of the AC adaptor) to determine if perhaps the AC adaptor is faulty.

Note:Battery prongs (terminals) are made of metal. They must be making good contact with your batteries in order for the scale to power on. You can use a paperclip to slightly bend the battery prongs to make them have a better connection.

A:Adding light loads or "dribbling" can cause display problems. Digital scales have an auto-zero function. The way this normally works is that if an item is placed on the tray that weighs less than half of one division, the scale will zero that out and maintain a stable display (this is done so that the scale can maintain a stable weight reading and adjust for vibrations or air movement). In layman's terms that means if you purchased a scale that reads in 1 gram increment and you place a 0.3g item on the tray, the display will not change. Then if you place another 0.3g item on the tray, the display still won't change. Therefore it's possible to very slowly add weight to the tray and have the display not change at all. That is why NIST recommends that you purchase a scale that has a display resolution of at least 1/2 of the smallest item you intend to weigh (including 'dribbling' or adding items).

Therefore, it is recommended that you do not place items that are less than the display resolution on the tray during the weighing process.

A:Static Electricity can cause unstable readings. It is possible for a scale to become charged with static electricity either during use or during shipping. When this happens you'll notice the scale behave very strangely - especially when metal objects such as a calibration weight are placed on the tray. To discharge static electricity please use an anti-static spray or touch the scale and its tray to a metal grounded object/line.

A:Magnetic fields are local electrical disturbances caused by most electronic devices. Scales are strongly affected by magnetic fields. So, don't operate or use a scale near any electronic device such as a computer, monitor, radio, or cell phone.

A:A wobbly table, loud music, cell phones or the hum of a light bulb will affect scale accuracy. This is especially important when you are calibrating. If you calibrate the scale in an unstable environment, it will always be unstable, even when you remove it from the unstable environment. Please operate a scale in a stable, vibration and interference free environment.

A:An unstable surface equals an unstable scale. All Scales need a perfectly flat stable surface to read and weigh accurately. This is especially important when calibrating a scale. Scales need a very stable surface and environment to be accurate.

A:Operation temperature of scale is from 18 C° to 30 C°. If the scale temperature is below 18 C° or higher than 30 C°, it will perform slowly and somewhat inaccurately. If a scale is cold or hot, allow it to adjust to normal room temperature for 12 hours if possible.

A:If a scale is excessively shaken (sometimes during shipping) it's possible for the LCD to become partially separated from the PCB (Printed Circuit Board). On many models you can gently press on the LCD and it will reconnect. However on many scales it's difficult to reach the LCD (without removing the cover) and thus the scale will often have to be returned to us for a repair.

A:General resolution methods for those cases are listed below. Please also troubleshoot your scale using the manual for your model. This manual can be found on by clicking on the links on the page of Manual Download.

A:Any damage caused by misuse, abuse, accident (dropping or otherwise shocking the scale) normal wear & tear, incorrect calibration, shipping damage or physical damage. Accessories, bowls, trays, finishes, calibration, clasps, hinges, feet, AC adaptors and batteries are not covered by this warranty. Also any incidental or consequential damage or loss is not covered.

A:Any and all manufacturing defects or defects in materials or craftsmanship.