SCALES

GENERAL CODE REFERENCES.-Each scale shall conform to all of the applicable requirements of the General Code. Each of the general specifications is applicable to one or more varieties of scales; accordingly, the entire General Code, including the general regulations, should be consulted. A. APPLICATION.

A.1. GENERAL.-This code applies to all types of weighing devices, including, but not limited to, those utilizing, as components, singly or in combination, levers, pendulums, springs, and load cells of electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other design. The code comprises general requirements that are generally applicable to all classes of weighing devices, and specific requirements for certain individual classes of such devices. Such specific requirements supersede general scale requirements in all cases of conflict. (See also G-A.1., G-A.2., G-A.3., G-A.4., and G-A.5.) [1956]

A.2. [Deleted, 1961]

WEIGHERS,

WHEEL-LOAD

A.3. WHEEL-LOAD SCALES, AND AXLE-LOAD SCALES.-The requirements for wheel-load weighers, wheel-load scales, and axleload scales apply to such scales in official use for the enforcement of traffic and highway laws. [1961]

D. DEFINITIONS.

D.1. NOMINAL CAPACITY.-The largest weight indication that can be obtained by the use of all of the reading or recording elements in combination, including the amount represented by any removable weights furnished or ordinarily furnished with the scale, but excluding the amount represented by any extra removable weights not ordinarily furnished with the scale, and excluding also the capacity of any auxiliary weighing attachment not contemplated by the original design of the scale. However, when a scale is constructed to give weight indications in both the customary and metric systems, this definition shall be applied to the indica

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1961 Replacement Shect

tions in one system only. Also, in applying this definition, the capacity of any fractional bar is to be included only when this exceeds 22 percent of the sum of the capacities of the remaining reading elements.

D.2.

READING-FACE

CAPACITY.-The

largest weight that may be indicated on the reading face, exclusive of the use of any unit weights or other elements.

D.3. MULTIPLE OF A SCALE.-In general, the multiplying power of the entire system of levers. Specifically, on a beam scale, the number of pounds on the load-receiving element that will be counterpoised by 1 pound applied to the tip pivot of the weighbeam.

D.4. SMALL-CAPACITY SCALE.-One of the bench (counter) or hanging type having a nominal capacity of 400 pounds or less.

D.5. LARGE-CAPACITY SCALE.-Any scale having a nominal capacity greater than 400 pounds, and also a scale of any capacity not of the bench (counter) or hanging type.

D.6. BEAM SCALE.-One on which the weights of loads of various magnitudes are indicated solely by means of one or more weighbeam bars either alone or in combination with counterpoise weights.

SCALE.-One on

D.7. AUTOMATIC-INDICATING which the weights of applied loads of various magnitudes are automatically indicated throughout all or a portion of the weighing range of the scale. A "full-automatic-indicating" scale is one on which the capacity of the automatic-indicating elements equals the nominal capacity of the scale. A "semi-automatic-indicating" scale is one on which the capacity of the automatic-indicating elements is less than the nominal capacity of the scale. (A scale that automatically weighs out commodity in predetermined drafts, such as an automatic grain hopper scale, a packaging scale, and the like, is not an "automatic-indicating" scale.)

D.8. EQUAL-ARM SCALE.-A small-capacity scale having only a single lever with equal arms (that is, with a multiple of 1), equipped with two similar or dissimilar loadreceiving elements (pan, plate, "platter", scoop, or the like), one intended to receive material being weighed and the other intended to receive weights, these elements being maintained in position above the lever by means of a stabilizing linkage. There may or may not be a weighbeam (“side bar”).

D.9. RECORDING SCALE.-One on which the weights of applied loads may be permanently recorded on a tape, ticket, card, or the like in the form of a printed, stamped, punched, or perforated representation.

D.10. [Deleted, 1958]

D.11. COMPUTING SCALE.-One that indicates the money values of amounts of commodity weighed, at predetermined unit prices, throughout all or part of the weighing range of the scale.

D.12. PREPACKAGING SCALE.-A computing scale specially designed for putting up packages of random weights in advance of sale.

D.13. PRESCRIPTION SCALE.-A scale or balance adapted to weighing the ingredients of medicinal and other formulas prescribed by physicians and others and used or intended to be used in the ordinary trade of pharmacists. "Class A" and "Class B" scales are those meeting the code requirements for prescription scales of Classes A and B, respectively.

D.14. JEWELERS SCALE.-One adapted to weighing gems and precious metals.

D.15. CREAM-TEST SCALE.-One adapted to determining the butterfat content of milk, cream, or butter.

D.16. MOISTURE-TEST SCALE.-One adapted to determining the moisture content of butter or cheese.

D.17. [Deleted, 1961]

D.18. WHEEL-LOAD WEIGHER. A compact, selfcontained, portable scale specially adapted to determining the wheel loads of vehicles on highways.

D.19. WHEEL-LOAD SCALE.-A scale, permanently installed in a fixed location, having a load-receiving element specially adapted to determining the wheel loads of highway vehicles.

1961 Replacement Sheet

D.20. AXLE-LOAD SCALE.-A scale, permanently installed in a fixed location, having a load-receiving element specially adapted to determining the combined load of all wheels (1) on a single axle or (2) on a tandem axle, of a highway vehicle.

D.21. VEHICLE SCALE. One adapted to weighing highway vehicles, loaded or unloaded.

D.22. LIVESTOCK SCALE.-One having a nominal capacity of 6,000 pounds or more and used primarily for weighing livestock standing on the scale platform.

D.23. ANIMAL SCALE.-One adapted to weighing single heads of livestock.

D.24. COAL-MINE SCALE.-One used at a coal mining operation for determining the basic wages of miners on a production basis.

D.25. HOPPER SCALES. [1957]

D.25.1 HAND-OPERATED GRAIN.-One adapted to the manual weighing of variable loads of grain. [1957]

D.25.2. AUTOMATIC.-One adapted to the automatic weighing of bulk commodity in successive drafts of predetermined amounts. (This is not an "automatic-indicating scale" as defined in D.7.) [1957]

manually

D.26. NOSE-IRON.-A slidably-mounted, adjustable pivot assembly for changing the multiple of a lever.

D.27. WEIGHBEAM OR BEAM.-An element comprising one or more bars, equipped with movable poises or means for applying counterpoise weights or both.

D.28. MAIN BAR.-A principal weighbeam bar, usually of relatively large capacity as compared with other bars of the same weighbeam. (On an automatic-indicating scale equipped with a weighbeam, the main weighbeam bar is frequently called the "capacity" bar.)