• 3rd Party Integration
    NEW: Want to add more advanced functions to your existing non-Arlyn scale? Integrate the full featured UpScale Touchscreen Indicator using "3rd-Party Integration" feature.
  • Google Spreadsheets
    HOW TO: Data Logging with Google Spreadsheets. Reduce demand on your operators and optimize your data collection process.
  • Keyboard Wedge
    NEW: Keyboard Wedge Feature. Our Keyboard Wedge Feature transfers data directly from your scale, and into a PC program.
  • Checkweighing Feature
    NEW: Introducing Checkweighing Feature. Streamline your operations with our Checkweighing Feature
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Safe Industrial Scales for Hazardous Environments

explosive-environment-scale-p-1Accurate weighing is essential in the industrial world. Platform scales are used to weigh different size packages, or to check that the weight of a package is within the specified tolerance. Bench scales are used to mix ingredients to the correct ratios. Drum scales can monitor the weight of a liquid chemical being used in a critical process. Pallet scales are used to measure the weight of items that are being shipped. Modern industrial scales are operated by electrical power. The load cells are usually powered by a voltage supply that may range up to 15 volts. Depending on the type of digital display used, the voltage and power consumption can be fairly significant. While the total amount of power used is quite small when compared to other industrial processes, it may be enough to eliminate their use in certain dangerous environments. Certain types of industrial manufacturing may produce situations where a small spark could cause a major explosion. This can be the case where there are flammable liquids or gasses. Even the fumes from some types of chemicals can be ignited. An atmosphere where there is a large amount of suspended dust can sometimes be a problem. Explosive materials, such as those used in armaments, are also problematic. Propellants and similar materials can be equally difficult. Generally, these types of environments can be placed into a number of different classifications. Depending on the type of hazard, they may fall into universally recognized categories such as Class I, Class II and Class III, along with a number of Divisions and Groups known as A, B, C, etc. Any equipment that is used in these types of areas must have approval ratings for their use. This includes virtually anything that uses electricity, including lights, communication equipment, mixing equipment, and industrial scales. To obtain these ratings the devices are tested by a rating organization, such as FM Approvals. One type of rating is known as Intrinsically Safe. Equipment of this type must be designed so that it cannot provide enough energy into its environment to cause any type of problem. Even if it experiences a failure mode, it must still not be able to generate a spark. Electronic scales could have difficulty in meeting these requirements for a number of reasons. As noted previously, the load cells themselves use too much power. Some designs, such as those offered by Arlyn Scales, construct their load cells with components that have a much higher value of resistance. This can reduce the energy consumption by a factor of 15 times. The digital indicator must also be designed for very low power consumption. The Arlyn Explosive Environment Scales are powered by just a single, rechargeable C cell battery. Special electronic circuitry is used to provide the necessary voltage levels to the scale components. The battery holder itself is designed so that wires improperly shorted within the scale will not allow the battery to deliver its energy within a short time frame. The holder is machined from solid aluminum, providing a robust container that will not be damaged if it is dropped or hit. Of course, in order to be useful, the explosive environment scale must also provide the type of accuracy that would be expected from any standard industrial scale. Stainless steel load cells are ideal for the triple purpose of working well with very low power electronics, providing very accurate weight results, and offering excellent ruggedness form difficult industrial use. Low power microcontroller can still offer all of the processing power needed to display the weight results in different units as necessary, and to store values of weight in internal memory for later use. Large graphics digits on the display panel make it easy to read the weight values. Front panel touch controls offer the user the ability to subtract container tare weights from the display, or to change the weight units from pounds to kilograms or ounces or grams. Although the amount of energy used by an intrinsically safe scale is much lower than that of a standard digital scale, the battery will eventually run low. Scales can be supplied with a number of spare batteries. A used battery may be removed from the scale and a fresh replacement battery installed. The used battery should be recharged, so that it will be ready when the replacement battery has been depleted. This must take place in an area that is considered to be safe. A fresh battery should power the scale for more than 20 hours of constant use. Recharge can occur in four hours or less.

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About Scales

  • Custom Scales Glossary of Terms
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Connect With Us

About Scales

  • Custom Scales Glossary of Terms
  • The History of Scales
  • Client Survey
  • Custom Scales Applications
  • Industrial Scales
  • Batching Equipment
  • Filling Scales
  • Scale Technology
  • Specialty Weighing
  • Scale Options – Communication Methods
  • Software Downloads
  • User Manuals & Specification Sheets
  • Compare Scale Display Indicators

Scales by Industry

  • Scales in the Airline Industry
  • Scales & Food Processing
  • Scales in the Agriculture Industry
  • Weighing Industrial Laundry
  • Digital Veterinary Scales
  • Counting Scales & the Postal Industry
  • Digital Bench Scales
  • Scales in the Electrical and Plumbing Industries
  • Scales in the Printing Industry

Types of Scales

  • Drum Scales
  • Corrosion Resistant Scales
  • Cylinder Scales and Gas
  • Accurate Cylinder Scales
  • Industrial Floor & Drum Scales
  • Environment Scales
  • Corrosion Resistant Scales
  • Ethernet Equipped Scales
  • Floor Scales
  • Multi Use Platform Scales
  • Industrial Paint Scales
  • Gas Cylinder Scales
  • Options in Industrial Scales
  • Ultra Precision Scales and Advanced Accurate Industrial Weighing
  • Weighing Hazardous Waste Materials
  • Wheelchair Scales & Digital Indicators
  • Rain Gauge Scales

Company Information

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Returns & Exchanges
  • Terms of Use
  • Product Index
  • Category Index
  • FAQ / Help
  • Contact Us
    • Send Us Feedback
  • Partners
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Arlyn Scales

  • Session #:
  • Store
  • Products
    • Ultra Precision Scales
    • Scales for Hazardous, Explosive and Flammable Environments
    • Bench Scales
    • Counting Scales
    • Corrosion Resistant Scales
    • Crane Scales
    • Cylinder Scales
    • Digital Indicators – Scale Display Indicators
    • Digital Load Cells
    • Drum Scales
    • Industrial Floor Scales
    • High Resolution Balances and Scales
    • Platform Scales
    • Veterinary Animal Scales
    • Miscellaneous Scales
    • Back
  • About Scales
    • User Manuals & Specification Sheets
    • Scale Options – Communication Methods
    • FM Explosion Proof Scales: 5 Configurations For Different Industry Uses
    • Find a Scale
    • What are Digital Load Cells?
    • Media, Videos, and Industrial Scale Product Demonstrations
    • Scale Technology
    • Specialty Weighing
    • The History of Scales
    • Compare Scale Display Indicators
    • Custom Scales Glossary of Terms
    • Custom Scale Applications
    • Legacy Scale Support
    • Client Survey
    • Back
  • Software
    • Software Downloads
    • Scale Options – Communication Methods
    • Remote Indicator
    • MODBUS Utilities
    • Data Logging with Google Spreadsheets
    • AxChange – Cloud Monitoring and Tracking
    • Back
  • By Industry
    • Manufacturing and Automation Control Scales
    • Weighing Chemicals and Petrochemicals
    • Agriculture and Farming Weighing Equipment
    • Industrial Scales for the Construction Industry
    • Weighing Scales For Universities and Laboratories
    • Weighing Solutions for the Food and Beverage Industry
    • Scales For Hospitals and Medical Facilities
    • Industrial Postal Scales for Mail, Post, and Shipping
    • Scales for Warehouse Management and Inventory Control
    • Back
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Contact Us