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GWP
Good Weighing Practice

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GWP
Good Weighing Practice
1. Introduction.

2. Types of balances and accuracy class.

3. STANDARDS WEIGHTS and its classification,cleaning,calibration and declassification.

4. Examples of bad weighing practice.

5.Rules of GWP.

6. Comply with revised weighing guidelines ( USP&EU )

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GWP
Good Weighing Practice

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GWP
Good Weighing Practice

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*Types Of Balances & Accuracy Classes

Number of digits after decimal

Type Ordinary name Accuracy Class
position (g)
.1 Ultra Micro Balances 7 I
.2 Micro Balances 6 I
.3 Semi-micro Balances 5 I
.4 Analytical Balances 4 I
.5 Precision Balances to 3 1 II
.6 Technical Balances to 1 0 III

* According to (Qualification Of Balances, Annex 8 to the OMCL Network Guideline “Qualification Of

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Equipment”, PA/PH/OMCL (12) 77 7R).
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Definition
s
 Standard weight:
Weight used either for calibration, verification, or the adjustment of marked
mass, weights and measuring instrument. Its nominal value is included
between 1 mg and 50 kg; beyond it’s a standard mass .(Circular October 15, 1992)
 Readability:(d)
Smallest deviation between two values of measurement that may be read on the display. For digital
display, it’s the smallest numeric step, also called scale interval d.
Examples:
For the precision balances ⇒ scale interval from 0.1g to 1mg
For the analytical balances ⇒ scale interval of 0.1mg
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Definitions

 Verification scale interval (e):

Value, expressed in units of mass, used for the classification and verification of an instrument. (EN 45501; T 3.2.3)
 Maximal permissible error: (MPE)
Maximum difference, positive or negative, allowed by regulation between the indication of an instrument and the
corresponding true value, as determined by reference standard masses, with the instrument being at zero at no-
load, in the reference position. (EN45501; T 5.5.4).
 CONVENTIONAL MASS
The weights are characterized by their conventional mass.
The conventional mass value of a body is equal to the mass mc of a standard that balances this body under
conventionally chosen conditions. The unit of the quantity “conventional mass” is the kilogram. Nominal value of
the standard weight
 The nominal values of the mass for weights or weight sets are equal to 1×10n kg, or 2×10n kg, or 5×10n kg,
where “n” represents a positive or negative whole number or zero (integer).
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STANDARDS WEIGHTS

From Denis LOUVEL ( metrology scientist from mettler toledo) to me by mail:

▶ It's necessary to educate your people in the laboratory about the care to handle and store
the weights (see chapter7 of my documentation).
▶ You must convince them that the weights are the most important pieces of the balance
routine control.
▶ As the weights are downgraded, the trust about the balance performance is lost and the
qualities of your assays/analysis are suspect.

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STANDARDS WEIGHTS and its
classification

▶ Standard weight:
Weight used either for calibration, verification, or the adjustment of marked
mass, weights and measuring instrument. Its nominal value is included
between 1 mg and 50 kg; beyond it’s a standard mass.
▶ Accuracy class
The weights are classified according seven classes: E1, E2, F1, F2, M1, M2, M3
according their accuracy degree. The maximal permissible error between the
nominal mass and the conventional mass is equal to the values indicated in
the table in next slide.
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CLASSIFICATION OF THE STANDARDS WEIGHTS

▶ First criterion to respect:

U(k=2) ≤ δm / 3
▶ Second criterion to respect:
m0 – (δm –U) ≤ mC ≤ m0 + (δm – U)

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CLASSIFICATION OF THE STANDARDS WEIGHTS

EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION FOR CLASSIFICATION

Value indicated in the calibration certificate issued by an external laboratory (or result of an
internal calibration):
• Nominal value: m0 = 200 g
• Conventional mass: mC = 199.999591 g
• Measurement uncertainty: U = ± 0.000109 g
Inequality to respect:
First criterion to respect: U(k=2) ≤ δm / 3
Second criterion to respect: m0 – (δm –U) ≤ mC ≤ m0 + (δm – U)
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CLASSIFICATION OF THE STANDARDS WEIGHTS

EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION FOR CLASSIFICATION E2 classification

δm = ± 0.0003 g (E2 class maximal permissible error)
First criterion to respect: U ≤ δm / 3
± 0.000109 g ≤ ± 0.0003 / 3 = ± 0.0001 g
This criterion is not fulfilled; the mass cannot be classified as E2
Second criterion to respect: m0 – (δm – U) ≤ mC ≤ m0 + (δm – U)
200 – (0.0003 – 0.000 109) ≤ 199.999 591 ≤ 200 + (0.0003 – 0.000 109)
199.999 809 g ≤ 199.999 591 g ≤ 200.000 191 g
This criterion is not fulfilled; the mass cannot be classified as E2
Final decision: the 2 criteria are not fulfilled; the mass cannot be classified as E2.
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CLASSIFICATION OF THE STANDARDS WEIGHTS

F1 classification:
δm = ± 0.001 g (F1 class maximal permissible error)
First criterion to respect: U ≤ δm / 3
± 0.000109 g ≤ ± 0.001 / 3 = ± 0.0003 g
This criterion is fulfilled; the mass can be classified as F1
Second criterion to respect: m0 – (δm – U) ≤ mC ≤ m0 + (δm – U)
200 – (0.001 – 0.000 109) ≤ 199.999 591 ≤ 200 + (0.001 – 0.000 109)
199.999 109 g ≤ 199.999 591 g ≤ 200.000 891 g
This criterion is fulfilled; the mass can be classified as F1
Final decision: the 2 criteria are fulfilled; the mass can be classified as F1.
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CLEANING OF THE STANDARDS WEIGHTS

▶ It is very important to ensure the cleanliness of weights. Weights must be handled and stored so that they are
kept clean.
▶ Before using them, remove dust and foreign particles. Be careful not to alter the surface of the weight (e.g.
creation of scratches).
▶ Do not place a weight on a dirty surface. This soil can be stuck on the bottom, increase the mass, and create a
cross contamination during balances checking of various services.
▶ If, despite these precautions, it is necessary to clean the weight before beginning steps, ensure that the cleaning
process does not cause any change in mass. The cleaning process should not remove any significant amount of
material.
▶ When a weight is covered with a significant amount of dust and can only be removed with a dry cloth, the weight
or only parts can be cleaned with alcohol, distilled water or other solvents. Weight with internal cavity should not
be immersed in the liquid to avoid the possibility that a liquid enters through the opening.
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CLEANING OF THE STANDARDS WEIGHTS

▶ Once the weight is cleaned with solvent, it must be stabilized in accordance with times in the table
below:

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Storage & Handling conditions of
standards weights

▶Storage condition
It is recommended to store the standards weights:
 free from dust.
 in a temperature and relative humidity controlled room.

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Storage & Handling conditions of
standards weights

▶Handling conditions
The standards are handled with suitable non-metallic tools of handling (clamps, pitchforks,
and gloves in skin or in cotton, slings). A handling, with naked fingers, lets a deposit of sebum
that will oxidize the standard surface.
N.B.The grease of fingerprints left on the weight surface, creates a mass deviation of 43 μg.

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Declassification criteria&
Periodicity of the calibration

▶ Declassification criteria
The declassification criteria’s concerns:
• The general state of the standard (streaks, traces of shocks, oxidization),
• The value of the deviation superior to the uncertainties between 2 calibrations.
The standard NFX07-010 concerning the metrological function speaks about this
topic.
▶ Periodicity of the calibration

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Relationship between weight accuracy class and
balance accuracy class

▶ The accuracy class of the standards weights, in relation with

the accuracy class of the balances to verify, can correspond to
the following indications:
• Balance of class I ⇒ standards weights of class E2
• Balance of class II ⇒ standards weights of class F1
• Balance of class III ⇒ standards weights of class M1
(comply with USP)
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Bad practice

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GWP Rules
1. THE LOCATION OF THE BALANCE
▶ The accuracy and the reliability of the weighing results are closely
associated with the location of the balance.
▶ The following points should be considered in determining the location
of an analytical balance.
 Weighing bench.
 Work room.
 Room temperature.
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GWP Rules

▶ Weighing bench
• It should transmit as few vibrations as possible.
• It should not sag when work is carried out on it (e.g. stable lab bench, stone bench).
• It should be antimagnetic (no steel plate).
• It should be protected against electrostatic (not in plastic matter or in glass).
• It should rest solely on soil or be fixed at the wall, but not the two at the same time (avoid the
simultaneous transmission of the vibrations of the wall and soil).

• It should be reserved to the only weighing only.

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GWP Rules

▶ Work room

• It should be as unsusceptible to shock and vibrations as possible.

• have only one entrance (avoid drafts).
• have as few windows as possible (danger of direct sunlight).
• the corners of the room should be kept free for the weighing bench since
these are the most rigid positions of building with the smallest vibrations.

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GWP Rules
▶ Room temperature

• The room temperature should be kept as constant as possible to avoid temperature drift
(typically 1-2 ppm/°C).
• Weighing should never be performed near radiators.

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GWP Rules

2. ATMOSPHERIC HUMIDITY
▶ The relative humidity should be between 45 and 60%. Constant monitoring
is advisable with microbalances (correct changes when possible).

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GWP Rules

The light. 3
▶ Avoid direct sunlight (e.g. wall with no windows).
▶ Lighting fixtures should be installed at a sufficient distance from the weighing
bench to avoid disturbing thermal radiation especially when light bulbs are used.
Fluorescent lamps are less critical.

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GWP Rules

THE AIR. 4
▶ Never weigh in the vicinity of air conditioners or units with fans (e.g.
computers).
▶ Avoid weighing close to radiators as in addition to heat (temperature drift)
powerful air currents are often produced in the vicinity of such apparatus.
▶ Never weigh next to a door.

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GWP
Rules
The levelling. 4
▶ The balance must be always levelled: It is necessary to check that the air bubble is in the
center (circle of the center) and if necessary correct this by turning the levelling feet. Then
calibrate the balance

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GWP Rules

THE WEIGHING VESSEL. 5

▶Handling
Use the smallest possible weighing vessel.
 Avoid weighing vessel made of plastic and in the case atmospheric humidity of below 30-40 % those
made of glass since these can become electro statically charged (see chapter «Electrostatics»).
The weighing vessel and the sample it contains should have the same temperature as the surroundings.
Temperature differences lead to air currents and to a change in the moisture film on the weighing vessel
and sample (see chapter «Temperature»).
 Never use your hands to place the weighing vessel in the weighing chamber. You could alter the
temperature and atmospheric humidity of the weighing chamber, and this would have an adverse effect
on the measurement process.
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GWP Rules

THE ADJUSTMENT (Internal CALIBRATION). 5

▶ Adjust the balance regularly above all if you are:
 operating the balance for the first time.
 after a location change.
 after levelling.
 after large temperature changes and humidity or atmospheric pressure changes.

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GWP
Rules
THE ADJUSTMENT (Internal CALIBRATION). 5
▶ If you trigger the automated adjustment (calibration) of the balance, a
motorized device places an integrated reference mass below the pan. From the result of
this adjustment weighing that varies from a point of use to the other, the microprocessor
calculates the adjustment factor and stores it in a permanent way up to next adjustment.
▶ With the help of this factor, it is now possible to adjust the sensitivity of the balance
correctly. All weights, following the adjustment, relate then at the correct slope of the
curve. You can adjust the balance at all times while calling the adjustment with the menu.

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GWP Rules
▶ The difference between adjustment and calibration
 Calibration checks the deviation between the weight readout on the
balance and a reference weight.
 During adjustment (internal calibration), the weight readout is
compared to the “correct” value of the calibration weight, and the
resulting correction factor is stored in the balance’s processor until the
next adjustment.

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GWP Rules
6. THE WEIGHING PAN
▶ Place the weighing sample in the middle of the weighing pan to avoid eccentricity errors.
▶ With micro and the semi microbalances, the weighing pan should first be loaded once briefly (initial weighing
effect) after a relatively long pause (> 30 min).
▶ Remove the weighing sample from the weighing pan on completion of the weighing operation. This prevents
a change in the temperature and atmospheric humidity in the weighing chamber due to the weighing sample.
▶ Place the weighing sample inside the reference marks in the middle of the pan. These marks can be drawn on
the pan if they don’t exist.

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GWP Rules
6. CLEANING
▶ Powder, liquids or the other remainders on the edge of the pan or between the pan and the bottom plate involve an unstable indication, when the
pan is not entirely any more free of its movements.
 Maintain the weighing room and the pan, clean.
 Use only clean and dry containers of weighing for weighing.
 On no account use cleaning agents, which contain solvents or abrasive ingredients, as this can result in damage to the terminal overlay
 Ensure that no liquid comes into contact with the balance, the terminal or the AC adapter.
 Never open the balance, terminal or AC adapter - they contain no components, which can be cleaned, repaired or replaced by the user.
 Keep in the vicinity appropriate equipment's for the cleaning as bottle with ethanol, or purified water (according the handled product).
 Never clean the pan directly on the support, first remove it and then clean it.
 Spilled samples fall through the grid pan, and are retained on the drip tray below.
 Do not brush contaminants into potential openings.

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GWP
Rules
7. STABILITY OF THE READING
▶ Result cannot be recorded till the display is not stable.
▶ Display Stability indicator depend on the balance model.

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GWP Rules
8. WARM-UP
▶ After switching on, all analytical balances require time so temperature gradients inside the weighing
cell reach the equilibrium. The duration depends on the balance readability.
 A warm-up delay of 30 minutes (24 h for a microbalance) is required when an analytical or precision
balance has been disconnected.
 No warm-up delay is required when an analytical or precision balance comes out of the "Stand-by" or
"Energy Saving" mode to "Normal" operation (see its manual ).
 There is no need to switch off the balances at the end of the day (except for energy savings reason).

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GWP Rules
▶9 . Choice of the standards weights
▶ The choice of the standards must integrate the MPE (maximum permissible error) to justify,
according to manufacturer's specifications, for the use of the balance:
▶ When one uses the nominal mass, the ratio between the MPE for the used load and the MPE
for the balance to verify must be lower or equal to 1/3, when it is possible.
▶ When one uses the conventional mass indicated on the calibration certificate, the ratio
between the uncertainty U of the load used and the MPE for the balance to verify must be
lower or equal to 1/3, when it is possible.

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GWP Rules
▶ 10 . good store for the standards weights
It is recommended to store the standards weights, free from dust, in a
temperature and relative humidity controlled room.
▶ 11. good handling of standards weights
The standards are handled with suitable non-metallic tools of handling
(clamps, pitchforks, and gloves in skin or in cotton, slings). A handling, with
naked fingers, lets a deposit of sebum that will oxidize the standard surface.
N.B.The grease of fingerprints left on the weight surface, creates a mass
deviation of 43 μg.
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Thanks

By: DR.M.mostafa.