NOTICE: This document is an example only.

It must be revised to reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol
requirements.

Analytical Balance Maintenance and Calibration –

Guidelines and Example SOP

Background Information

Analytical balances are precision instruments that are important in clinical laboratories for
accurate weighing. The most common uses include weighing for the preparation of reagents
and for pipette calibration.

Electronic analytical balances, used in the clinical laboratory, work on the principle of magnetic
force restoration. When an object is weighed, the force that is registered is lifted by an
electromagnet. The electrical current required to oppose the downward motion of the weight in
the magnetic field is measured by a detector and converted to a weight that can be read on the
balance’s digital display panel.

Analytical Balance Precision Tests

The components to the testing of analytical balances include the following four tests:
 Reproducibility
 Linearity
 Calibration
 Cornerload

Reproducibility
The ability of the instrument to give the same weight reading for a given object and it is
expressed as a standard deviation.

Linearity
Quantifies the accuracy of the balance at intermediate readings throughout the weighing range
of the instrument.

Calibration
This test involves the comparison to the weight reading of a given mass standard and the actual
value of that standard.

Cornerload
The cornerload test checks that a given object gives the same reading regardless of its position
on the weighing pan.

Important Points to Remember When Conducting Analytical Balance Checks

Annual Calibration Requirements

The complete requirements for the annual checking of balances consist of four tests.
Two are required tests and the others are recommended tests. Reproducibility and
Annual Calibration Check are required tests and Linearity and Cornerload tests are
recommended but not required. All four tests should be performed at the initial validation
of the balance.

The required tests should be performed annually and under the following circumstances:
 Major maintenance is performed on the balance

Approved and current. Effective starting 07-Feb-2024. Last reviewed on 07-Feb-2024.

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NOTICE: This document is an example only. It must be revised to reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol
requirements.

 The balance is moved to a new location

 The performance of the balance is in question

Test Weights
 Standard test weights should be treated as precision devices and handled with
forceps. Direct hand contact should always be avoided. Care should also be taken to
avoid sliding weight across any surface and especially stainless-steel weighing pans.
Weights should be stored in a covered protected box.

Temperature
 The accuracy of an analytical balance is affected by room temperature. For the best
stability there should be a variation of no more than one degree Celsius within any
weighing period.

Air Drafts
 Moving air will affect measurements of .001mg or less. An enclosure around the
weighing pan to avoid fluctuations in moving air is recommended.

Static Electricity
 Static electricity will affect the accuracy of an analytical balance. Sources of static
electricity are carpets, plastic draft shields, and melamine or Formica table tops.

Vibration
 Balances are very sensitive to any kind of vibration or movement. It may be
necessary to obtain a very sturdy table for the analytical balance to minimize the
effects of vibration or movement.

Approved and current. Effective starting 07-Feb-2024. Last reviewed on 07-Feb-2024.

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NOTICE: This document is an example only. It must be revised to reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol
requirements.

Analytical Balance SOP Example/Template

Purpose

To describe maintenance and calibration procedures for the analytical balances used for the
weighing of reagents or for gravimetric pipette calibration.

Definitions

AMR - Analytical measurement range

SD - Standard Deviation
CV - Coefficient of variation

Analytical Procedure

Instruments

 List the name and model of the balances in use at your laboratory

Supplies

 List your reference weights and any other equipment you will be using
 Plastic weigh boats
 Forceps for the manipulation of standard weights

Calibration intervals

Daily - Auto calibration and calibration verification with one weight.

Annually - Calibration Check and Reproducibility Tests

Linearity and Cornerload testing are recommended but not required.

Operation Instructions

Daily Maintenance

Step Action
1 Clean the balance with a soft brush following each use. If necessary,
clean the balance with a damp cloth to remove debris and allow the
balance to dry before the next use.
2 Prior to use, check for spilled substances, that the balance is level and
on a firm surface free from drafts or air currents.

3 Check the balance pan to ensure that it is properly seated.

Approved and current. Effective starting 07-Feb-2024. Last reviewed on 07-Feb-2024.

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NOTICE: This document is an example only. It must be revised to reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol
requirements.

Balance Internal Calibration

Step Action
1 Perform an auto calibration or internal calibration according to the
instruction in the instrument manual (insert those instructions here)

Daily Calibration Check

Step Action
1 Check your balance for drift each day using an external weight.
(Include the weight to be used in your procedure)

2 Weigh the external weight following the instructions for operation.

3 Document the results on the Daily Calibration Check sheet and check
that the weight is within the allowable range. (Refer to Related
Documents)

4 If Then
The weight is not within the Take the balance out of service
acceptable range until corrective action can be
performed or it is repaired by the
service representative.

General Operation of the Balance

Step Action
1 Check that the balance is leveled and select an appropriate container
or weigh boat.

2 If applicable, allow the substance that is going to be weighed to come

to room temperature
3 Place the weigh boat or container to be used on the center of the pan,
close the balance door and tare the balance.

4 Remove the weigh boat or container from the balance and insert the
substance or object to be weighed
5 Open the balance door and place the weigh boat or container with the
object or substance being weighed on the center of the balance pan
and close the door to avoid drafts and air currents.

6 Allow the weight reading to stabilize and record the weight from the
digital display panel.

7 Carefully remove the weigh boat or container and the weighed object
or substance from the balance and close the door.

Annual Calibration Check /Accuracy Check

Required Annual Checks

Approved and current. Effective starting 07-Feb-2024. Last reviewed on 07-Feb-2024.

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NOTICE: This document is an example only. It must be revised to reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol
requirements.

 Reproducibility: Measures the ability of a balance to repeatedly deliver the same weight
reading for a given object or weight expressed as a Standard Deviation.

 Annual Calibration Check/verification: Refers to a comparison of weight readings of a

standard or certified weight and the actual value of that standard weight.

Reproducibility testing: The reproducibility test involves repeatedly weighing a given object 20
times and analyzing the results. Select a test weight that is nearly equal to the capacity of the
analytical balance.

Step Action
1 Tare the balance and record value (“without weight”) reading on a log.

2 Place the test weight in the center of the pan and record the stabilized
reading under the heading “with weight reading”.

3 Remove the weight

4 Repeat steps 1 to 3 until there are a minimum of 10 readings in both

columns.

5 Subtract each “without weight” reading from the corresponding “with

weight” reading and record the differences (ie, deltas) on a log

6 Calculate the SD of the deltas

7 If Then
The calculated SD is within The balance is acceptable for use.
specifications

8 If Then
The SD is outside of specifications Check that environmental and
operational conditions are met.
9 If Then
Environmental and operational Repeat the test.
conditions are met

10 If Then
The precision is still outside the Notify the laboratory manager and
specifications contact qualified service personnel
for repair.

Calibration Check/Verification (also known as Analytical Balance Accuracy)

Step Action
1 Select 5 or 6 standard weights that cover the AMR of the balance.

2 Tare the balance so that it reads zero.

Approved and current. Effective starting 07-Feb-2024. Last reviewed on 07-Feb-2024.

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NOTICE: This document is an example only. It must be revised to reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol
requirements.

3 Weigh each of the standard weights and record the observed weight in the
log (see Related Documents). Note that if different sets of weights are
available, it is important to use the same weight from the same set each
time. Compare the observed weights with the previous weighing.

4 The results are acceptable if there has been no significant change from
previous weighings. Tolerance limits should be available from the
instrument manufacturer.

5 If Then
A weight does not agree Reweigh and document new
reading
6 If Then
The calibration results are not Take balance out of service and
within the acceptable range contact the manufacturer for
service

Recommended Additional Annual Balance Checks

(These tests are recommended but not required)

A. Linearity Test: The Linearity test verifies the accuracy of the balance at intermediate values
of weight.
1. For this test use 2 certified weights that should be approximately half the weighing range
of the balance. The two weights should not be interchanged during the procedure,
identify them as weight A and weight B.
2. Zero the balance and place weight A on the pan and record the weight on the linearity
chart (see Related Documents) in the column marked 0% to 50%.
3. Remove weight A and place weight B on the pan near the center. Re-zero the display
with B still on the pan.
4. Place weight A on the pan with B still on the pan. Record the reading under the column
marked 50% to 100%.
5. Calculate the difference between the 2 readings. The difference should be less than the
advertised tolerance for linearity or accuracy.

B. Cornerload Test: This test is used to check that the balance delivers the same weight when
it is put on different positions on the weighing pan.
1. Use a certified weight that is close to the maximum capacity of the balance.
2. Place the test weight in the center of the pan record the weight and then re-zero the
display.
3. Move the weight one-half way from the front edge of the balance. Record the reading on
the cornerload chart under the "Front" column.
4. Repeat step 3 at the half way locations for the right, left and rear of the balance.
5. Compare the results against the recommended tolerances for the balance.
References

Approved and current. Effective starting 07-Feb-2024. Last reviewed on 07-Feb-2024.

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NOTICE: This document is an example only. It must be revised to reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol
requirements.

1. CAP All Common Checklist, 2021

2. DAIDS GCLP. Version 4.1, 2021
3. CLSI. General Laboratory Equipment Performance Qualification, Use, and Maintenance,
2nd ed. CLSI guideline QMS23. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2019.
4. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs (EPA/OPP) Microbiology
Laboratory, SOP EQ-03-07 for Calibration and Maintenance of Weigh Balances January
2014).
5. Use and Maintenance of Analytical Weighing Balances, Center for Biological
Engineering (CBE Laboratories, SOP 018 v.003 June 2022).

Related Documents

Analytical Balance: Daily/Annual Maintenance and Calibration Logs

Approved and current. Effective starting 07-Feb-2024. Last reviewed on 07-Feb-2024.

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