Problems With Digital Scales

Digital scales are used to weigh produce and other products. You can also use a digital scale to keep track of your body weight. The scales are attractive because they provide quick readings. Some digital scales can withstand weights of up to 227kg. When digital scales function properly, they offer results that can be trusted. However, digital scales sometimes malfunction and offer buyers problems.

Inaccurate readings are not uncommon problems with digital scales if the scales are calibrated incorrectly. Digital scales can also produce inaccurate readings if they are placed near high-voltage lights or products that have high magnetic fields (for example, a radio).

Digital scales operate off of batteries. When the battery voltage gets too low, the scale might stall out or take a longer period of time to record weight readings. Scales that operate with low-voltage or poor-quality AC adaptors can cause weight readings to blink on and off across the digital panels. Scales might also stop functioning altogether if they are charged with poor-quality batteries.

Place a digital scale on a non-flat surface (whether you are weighing produce or your own body weight), and you might notice inconsistency in the readings. For example, if you place your digital scale on an uneven ceramic tiled kitchen floor you might notice that your weight fluctuates 5 or more lbs. in a single day. If you accidentally drop the scale, it could cause the scale's sensors to malfunction and record inconsistent readings as well.

Error messages such as "Out2," "LLLL" or "UNSt" might appear on the liquid-crystal display panel if the scale needs to be recalibrated. Error messages will also flash across the panel if the scale's sensors have stopped functioning properly. A damaged load cell can also cause error messages to flash across the LCD panel.