How to Calibrate a Baby Scale

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Things You'll Need

  • baby scale

  • calibration weight or coins of equal weight

  • instruction manual (optional)

Calibration weights are known weights that can be used to "tell" the scale a specific weight.

Baby scales are highly accurate, portable digital scales. As such, they've been used to weigh much more than babies! From homes and doctors offices to archaeological and geological laboratories, these scales have a range of useful applications. In order to be properly used, however, they need to be calibrated by placing a known weight on the tray. Each model and manufacturer will have its own specifics, but the general steps for calibrating a baby scale are similar.

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Step 1

Turn the baby scale on by pressing the "Power" button.

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Step 2

Press the "CAL" button on your scale. If there is no "CAL" button, try pressing the "Mode" or "Unit" button on your scale repeatedly until the letters "CAL" show up on the display. Release the button. The display will show the exact weight needed for calibration.

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Step 3

Turn the scale off to save energy and assure your scale is "reset" before calibration.

Step 4

Obtain the proper calibration weight or make your own. If you don't have an approved weight, you can use coins to obtain a very close approximation. 20 nickels should weigh 99.995 grams.

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Step 5

Turn the scale on.

Step 6

Press the "CAL" button or the "Mode/Unit" button until you see "CAL" appear on the display.

Step 7

Place the weight or proper number of coins on the scale's tray. The display may blink as the scale calibrates. When the calibration process is complete, the scale should display "Pass" or "P" if the calibration was successful, and "Fail" or "F" if the calibration was unsuccessful. If the calibration was not successful, turn the scale off and back on, and repeat steps 6 and 7.

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Step 8

If the calibration is still unsuccessful, the basic calibration process cannot be completed. Consult your manufacturer's user's manual or call the manufacturer for troubleshooting assistance.

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