Preparing for Scale Calibration: What to Expect During Your Appointment
Proper scale calibration is essential for any business that relies on accurate measurements. Whether you’re in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, retail, or any other business with weighing needs; calibrated scales ensure that your business stays compliant, reduces waste, and builds customer trust.
Accurate Western Scale offers scale calibration services to help your business achieve precise measurements and maintain compliance standards. Moreover, we do offer calibration for scales that do not require a certified technician. Here’s what to expect during a scale calibration appointment and why it’s important for your operations.
What Is Scale Certification?
Measurement Canada requires scales used in many industries to be inspected and certified as “legal for trade” to ensure the accuracy and integrity of trade measurement in Canada. This is a necessary process for businesses to avoid risk and loss in the future if they are caught without the certificates. It involves monitoring the accuracy of measuring devices through various inspections and compliance improvement strategies. Businesses that fail to certification can lead to:
- Lost Productivity
- Lost Income
- Fines And Closures
- Damage in Company Reputation
Accurate Western Scale offers scale calibration services to help your business achieve precise measurements and maintain compliance standards.
What to Expect During Your Scale Calibration Appointment
During your calibration appointment, a trained technician will follow a standardized process to evaluate and adjust your scales. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
1. Pre-Calibration Inspection
The process begins with an inspection to assess the scale’s overall condition. The technician checks for any visible signs of damage or wear, such as misaligned parts or wear on load cells. This inspection helps identify any maintenance needs or potential issues that may impact calibration.
2. Baseline Testing
Next, the technician performs baseline tests to determine how accurate your scale currently is. This involves placing certified test weights on the scale to assess its current performance. These initial tests establish a benchmark, allowing the technician to determine how far off the scale’s readings are from the correct values.
3. Calibration Adjustments
Using specialized equipment, the technician will adjust the scale as needed to bring its readings in line with certified standards. This is where the technician makes precise adjustments to the internal settings, ensuring that the scale gives accurate measurements across its weighing range. To achieve optimal accuracy, the technician may need to repeat the test and adjustment process multiple times.
4. Verification and Certification
After calibration adjustments, the technician will perform a series of verification tests to confirm that the scale’s readings are consistently accurate. Once accuracy is verified, the scale can be certified if it meets all regulatory standards. Certified scale calibration ensures that your scale complies with Measurement Canada’s strict standards, giving you peace of mind and compliance assurance. Learn more about Measurement Canada’s approval standards here.
5. Documentation and Reporting
Once the calibration process is complete, you’ll receive a detailed report documenting the procedures followed and the results obtained. This report serves as proof of calibration and may be required for audits, regulatory inspections, or quality assurance programs.
How Often Should You Calibrate Your Scales?
The frequency of scale calibration depends on the scale type, its usage, and the environment in which it operates. For businesses with high-usage scales or those in regulated industries, calibrations may be required more frequently. Accurate Western Scale can help you determine an optimal calibration schedule to ensure ongoing accuracy.
Certified Scale Calibration From Accurate Western Scale
Accurate Western Scale offers certified calibration services to help you maintain precise measurements. We have been accredited by Measurement Canada as authorized scale inspectors. Under the Weights and Measures Act, we can certify trade devices on behalf of Measurement Canada.
