Mechanical floor scales have recently become an indispensable attribute in almost every home. The rapid pace of life, poor nutrition lead to an increase in body weight. Everyone knows this, and therefore you need to regularly monitor your body weight in order to promptly sound the alarm, change your diet or go to sports. And future mothers just can not do without them.
What are floor scales?
- Mechanical. The main measuring tool in them is a spring, which stretches under load and rotates the dial arrow or the scale itself (depending on the design) in direct proportion to the weight of the object. They are “nullified” using a special wheel, which is located at the bottom. Mechanical home scales, usually have a division price of 1 kg, although there are also with 0.5 kg.
- Electronic. By the principle of its action, the first electronic scales did not differ from mechanical ones, the same spring, only the result was displayed on a digital display.
The design of modern electronic scales includes two metal disks, and as a result, something similar to an electric capacitor is formed. Under the influence of the load, the distance between the plates changes, changing the electric charge and, accordingly, the readings of the scales. Even more modern models use a voltage sensor, which is a thin metal wire along which an electric current resembles. If you place a load on the scale, the sensor tension changes, and therefore the magnitude of the electric signal passing through it, which is displayed on the scoreboard. This design is completely devoid of mechanical parts, and all measurements are made by electronics.
All types of scales have their own strengths and weaknesses. Mechanical floor scales are less accurate and much simpler in design. Therefore, they are much cheaper than electronic ones, which in their functionality are increasingly approaching personal computers. In addition to the usual weight measurement, electronic scales can determine the ratio of the amount of fluid, muscle and fat mass, remember the dynamics of changes in weight indicators and even calculate the optimal weight for each individual person.
Tips and tricks for the selection and operation of scales
- When choosing electronic or mechanical floor scales, you must pay attention to the measurement system used in them. Scales made in some countries, such as the UK or the USA, often measure weight in pounds instead of kilograms, and therefore you need to make sure that they are able to switch to our usual measurement system.
- If you plan to place the scales in a room with high humidity (bathroom or sauna), it is better to choose the scales in a moisture-proof housing.
- It is advisable to purchase scales with a rough or grooved surface.
- The balance must be stable. Some models have a mechanism to align them on an uneven surface. Otherwise, the error of their measurement can reach ten percent.
- Electronic or mechanical floor scales in a metal case are more reliable and durable than plastic ones.
- Before you buy the scales, you must check the accuracy of their measurement. This is best done if your exact weight is known in advance, or if it is possible to weigh the packaged goods.
- When checking the mechanical floor scales, you need to quickly press them briefly and then release them just as sharply. In this case, the arrow of the balance should be quickly and accurately set to zero.
In today's market, the choice of scales is very large, and therefore, in any case, you decide which is better to purchase a floor scale - mechanical or electronic. It all depends on the conditions, needs and, of course, financial opportunities.