Answers to the most common questions about weighing equipment, regulatory compliance, and scale selection in the United States. Click any question to expand the answer. Each answer includes a link to the full article where the topic is covered in depth.
General Scale Questions
What is the difference between a bench scale and a floor scale?
A bench scale sits on a workbench or countertop and is designed for loads that can be hand-placed — typically 5–600 lb with fine readability for counting, checkweighing, and precision applications. A floor scale sits on the floor and is designed for heavy or bulky loads that arrive by forklift or pallet jack — typically 1,000–20,000 lb. Most industrial operations need both, positioned at different points in the workflow. → Full article: Bench Scale vs Floor Scale
What is a counting scale and how does it work?
A counting scale establishes an average piece weight (APW) from a known sample of identical parts, then divides the total weight of any subsequent batch by that figure to display the piece count — automatically, in real time. The accuracy depends on the scale’s internal resolution, the sample size, and the uniformity of the parts. → Full article: What Is a Counting Scale?
What is a pallet jack scale?
A pallet jack scale combines a standard hydraulic pallet jack with an integrated digital weighing system. Load cells in the forks measure the weight of the pallet as it is lifted, displaying the reading on a digital indicator. The operator lifts, weighs, and moves the pallet in a single operation. → Full article: What Is a Pallet Jack
What is a checkweigher?
A checkweigher is a weighing system that verifies the weight of every product or package passing through a production line — automatically, at line speed, without stopping the line. It compares each item’s weight to pre-set upper and lower limits and rejects any item outside the acceptable range. → Full article: What Is a Checkweigher?
What is a crane scale?
A crane scale suspends between a crane hook and the load to measure the weight of suspended items during lifting operations. It uses strain gauge load cells to convert the tension force of the suspended load into a digital weight reading, displayed on an indicator at floor level via a wireless remote. → Full article: How to Choose a Crane Scale
NTEP Certification and Legal-for-Trade
What does NTEP certified mean?
NTEP stands for National Type Evaluation Program. An NTEP-certified scale has been tested by an independent laboratory against the accuracy and performance requirements of NIST Handbook 44 and issued a Certificate of Conformance (CC) number. NTEP certification is required for any scale used in a commercial transaction where weight determines price.
When do I need an NTEP-certified scale?
You need an NTEP-certified scale any time the weight it records is used in a commercial transaction where price is determined by weight — freight billing, material sales by the pound, receiving verification against a purchase order, or any weight-based invoice. For internal use only — inventory tracking, production monitoring, quality control — NTEP certification is not legally required. → Full article: How to Choose a Floor Scale
How do I verify that a scale is NTEP certified?
Verify the Certificate of Conformance (CC) number in the NCWM’s public NTEP database at ncwm.com/ntep. Every NTEP-certified scale carries a CC number on its data plate. If the number does not appear in the database, the scale is not NTEP certified regardless of what the product listing states.
Is NTEP certification enough to use a scale for commercial transactions?
No. NTEP certification from the manufacturer is the first step. A state Weights and Measures inspector must also verify and seal the scale before it can be used for commercial transactions. Contact your state Weights and Measures office — listed in the NIST state office directory — to arrange inspection.
IP Ratings
What does IP65 mean on an industrial scale?
IP65 means the scale is completely dust-tight (first digit 6) and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction (second digit 5). It can be cleaned with a low-pressure hose from any angle. It does not protect against submersion or high-pressure cleaning. → Full article: IP Ratings for Industrial Scales Explained
What is the difference between IP65, IP67, and IP69K?
All three are completely dust-tight. IP65 resists low-pressure water jets. IP67 adds temporary submersion protection to 1 meter for 30 minutes. IP69K withstands high-pressure, high-temperature water jets from close range — the rating required for food processing and pharmaceutical environments with intensive washdown cleaning cycles. → Full article: IP Ratings for Industrial Scales Explained
What IP rating do I need for a food processing scale?
For food processing with light to moderate cleaning, IP66 is the minimum. For facilities using high-pressure or high-temperature washdown equipment — meat, poultry, dairy, seafood processing — IP69K on the full system (platform, load cells, junction box, and indicator) is required. → Full article: IP Ratings for Industrial Scales Explained
Scale Calibration
How often should industrial scales be calibrated?
At minimum, annually for any scale in regular industrial use. Shipping and receiving floor scales should be calibrated every six months. Production line batching and dosing scales should be calibrated quarterly. High-precision and pharmaceutical scales typically require monthly calibration with documented records. Any scale that has been moved, overloaded, flooded, or repaired must be recalibrated immediately before returning to service. → Full article: How Often Should Industrial Scales Be Calibrated?
What is the difference between scale calibration and scale verification?
In-house verification means placing certified test weights on the scale to check whether it reads within tolerance — a daily or weekly check appropriate for catching gross errors between professional calibrations. Professional calibration is performed by an accredited technician using NIST-traceable reference standards and produces a calibration certificate. Only professional calibration satisfies legal-for-trade, ISO 9001, GMP, and FSMA compliance requirements. → Full article: How Often Should Industrial Scales Be Calibrated?
What is NIST-traceable calibration?
NIST-traceable calibration means the test weights and reference standards used during calibration can be traced back to the primary measurement standards maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology through an unbroken chain of documented calibrations. This traceability is required for legal-for-trade calibration, ISO 9001 compliance, and GMP/pharmaceutical audits. Using a calibration provider accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 ensures this traceability.
Material Selection
Should I choose a stainless steel or mild steel industrial scale?
Mild steel (powder-coated) is the correct choice for dry indoor warehouse and general manufacturing environments with no moisture exposure. Stainless steel is required for food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, washdown environments, and outdoor installations. In wet environments, mild steel corrodes at every point where the coating is compromised — stainless steel is not optional in these conditions. → Full article: Stainless Steel vs Mild Steel Industrial Scales
What is the difference between grade 304 and grade 316 stainless steel for scales?
Both are food-safe and compliant with FDA, USDA, and NSF requirements. Grade 304 (18% chromium, 8% nickel) suits general food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and mild washdown environments. Grade 316 adds 2–3% molybdenum, providing significantly better resistance to chloride pitting — required for seafood processing, meat and poultry with chlorinated sanitizers, and marine environments. → Full article: Stainless Steel vs Mild Steel Industrial Scales
Explosion-Proof and Hazardous Area Scales
What is an explosion-proof scale?
An explosion-proof scale is a weighing instrument certified for use in environments where flammable gases, vapors, dusts, or fibers may be present in the atmosphere. The scale is designed and tested to prevent any internal electrical arc or heat from igniting the surrounding hazardous atmosphere. In the US, explosion-proof scales carry NEC (National Electrical Code) certification in the relevant hazard class and division. → Full article: What Is an Explosion-Proof Scale?
Floor Scale Selection
What capacity floor scale do I need for a warehouse?
For most warehouse pallet weighing, a 5,000 lb capacity floor scale handles standard loaded pallets comfortably at 40–80% of rated capacity. If your operation regularly handles loaded pallets above 3,500 lb, specify a 10,000 lb model. Always select a capacity 25–50% above your heaviest expected load to protect load cells and maintain accuracy over time. → Full article: How to Choose a Floor Scale
What size floor scale fits a standard pallet?
A 4 ft × 4 ft (48″ × 48″) platform accommodates a standard GMA pallet (48″ × 40″) with margin. For 48″ × 48″ Euro pallets or larger loads, specify a 4 ft × 6 ft or 4 ft × 8 ft platform to ensure all load edges remain on the deck during weighing. → Full article: How to Choose a Floor Scale
Have a question not answered here? Contact us, and we will add it to this page. Last updated: April 2026