What type of balance are used in laboratories?
May 20, 2025|
View:391In the daily operations of a laboratory, precise measurement forms the foundation of experimental success. Whether in the weighing of chemical reagents, pharmaceutical research and development, or materials science analysis, the question of What type of balance are used in laboratories? directly impacts the reliability of experimental results. This article systematically analyzes the common types of balances used in laboratories to help researchers and technicians quickly identify equipment that suits their needs.
Electronic Balance for Laboratory: The Core Tool for Basic Measurement
1. Definition and Working Principle
An Electronic Balance for Laboratory is a digital weighing device based on the principle of electromagnetic force compensation. Through built-in sensors and microprocessors, it rapidly converts mass into electrical signals and displays numerical values, with minimum readability ranging from 0.1g to 0.001g—meeting the precision requirements of conventional laboratories.
2. Core Advantages
User-Friendly Operation: One-key calibration and automatic zeroing functions reduce human error.
Multi-Functionality: Supports modes such as percentage weighing and dynamic animal weighing.
Strong Environmental Adaptability: A draft shield design mitigates airflow interference, making it suitable for use on open lab benches.
3. Application Scenarios
Electronic balances are widely used in teaching experiments, industrial quality control, environmental monitoring, and other scenarios, particularly for daily weighing tasks that require high efficiency but not ultra-high precision.
Analytical Balance: The Preferred Choice for High-Precision Measurement
1. Precision Grade and Sensitivity
An Analytical Balance achieves precision as high as 0.0001g (0.1mg) or better. Its core lies in using more sensitive sensors and a temperature control system to ensure accurate capture of minute mass changes.
2. Special Design Features
Fully Enclosed Draft Shield: Minimizes air movement and electrostatic interference to the greatest extent.
Anti-Vibration Base: Isolates external vibrations to enhance stability.
Temperature and Humidity Monitoring: Some models include built-in sensors to real-time alert users to the impact of environmental changes on measurements.
3. Application Domains
Analytical balances are indispensable tools in pharmaceutical R&D, trace element analysis, and forensic testing, especially for weighing samples below the milligram level.
Other Common Laboratory Balance Types
1. Precision Balance: Balancing Accuracy and Efficiency
With precision ranging between electronic and analytical balances (0.01g–0.001g), precision balances are suitable for medium-precision experiments requiring higher efficiency, such as those in the food industry or batch sample screening.
2. Microbalance: The Pinnacle of Ultra-Trace Weighing
Capable of measuring mass in the microgram (µg) range, microbalances are used in cutting-edge fields like nanomaterials and semiconductors. However, they impose extremely high requirements on operating environments and maintenance.
How to Choose the Right Laboratory Balance?
1. Needs Analysis and Measurement Range
Clarify the minimum weighing value and maximum capacity required for the experiment.
Example: Conventional teaching experiments may opt for an Electronic Balance for Laboratory, while R&D labs should prioritize an Analytical Balance.
2. Considerations for Environmental Adaptability
In labs with vibrations or airflow interference, choose balances with draft shields or anti-vibration functions.
In high-humidity environments, pay attention to the equipment’s moisture resistance.
3. Maintenance and Calibration Recommendations
Regularly calibrate using standard weights to ensure data accuracy.
Avoid long-term use in high-temperature, strong-magnetic, or corrosive environments.
Conclusion: Choose a Professional Brand to Enhance Experimental Efficiency
The precision of laboratory balances directly determines the reliability of data. Whether it is the Electronic Balance for Laboratory for basic operations or the Analytical Balance for high-precision needs, selecting the right equipment is key. As a brand with years of expertise in laboratory instruments, WANT always takes technological innovation as its core, offering balances with high stability and ease of operation, supported by comprehensive after-sales services and calibration support.
If you are seeking a trustworthy laboratory balance, please contact the WANT team. We will customize professional solutions for you to help you easily tackle complex experimental challenges!
