| You step on a scale, the dial points to a number, you | | | | Digital scales uses load cell technology that |
| slide a little weight on a balance or a digital display | | | | incorporates electro-mechanical transducers that |
| reveals your weight. Then you step off and decide | | | | translates the weight into an electrical voltage. The |
| what to do next, but how do these scales work? | | | | difference in voltage can be measured and then the |
| As Archimedes once said “Give me a place to | | | | results are shown on an LED or LCD display. Most |
| stand and I will move the Earth.” This is the | | | | digital scales use batteries, while others need to be |
| premise behind a scale. Original scales uses a beam | | | | plugged in. Some models include a calculator to |
| that sits on a pivot point which becomes a fulcrum. | | | | measure your Body Mass Index or probes to measure |
| This type of scale is also known as a center beam | | | | body fat percentage. |
| scale. A combination of reference weights would be | | | | Body Mass Index is the measurement of body fat |
| hung on one side of the beam and on the other end | | | | based on height and weight. A body mass index of |
| would be the object to be weighed. When the beam is | | | | less than 18.5 is considered to be underweight, 18.5 to |
| level, you would count the reference weight to | | | | 24.9 is considered normal, 25-29.9 is Overweight, and |
| determine the results. | | | | Over 30 is Obese. To calculate your Body Mass Index, |
| The upright beam scales you see in your | | | | multiply 703 with your weight in pounds then divide by |
| doctor’s office is a off-center scale, which is | | | | your height in inches and divide again by your height. |
| similar to the center beam scale. These scales can | | | | All scales have a weight capacity, some are as small |
| use smaller reference weights because the fulcrum | | | | as a kitchen scale measuring grams to scales big |
| position of the beam in relation to the weights and the | | | | enough to measure a truck. Exceeding the capacity of |
| force imposed on the plate. These scales are known | | | | the scale will damage it. |
| as physician scales or a balance beam. | | | | Detecto and Health-o-meter both have been leaders in |
| At home, most usually have a mechanical dial scale, | | | | the healthcare industries with the ever popular |
| which uses levers connected to a plate with a spring. | | | | physician scales that we always see in the |
| As a weight is placed on the plate, a spring stretches | | | | doctor’s office. Infant scales are designed to |
| and a pivot point translates the up and down force to | | | | measure small babies. Chair scales are for those who |
| a side motion. This side motion is used to create the | | | | can not stand. Wheelchair scales are unique since they |
| rotational motion that you see on the dial of the scale. | | | | need to accommodate the wheelchair. Some use |
| These type of scales are typically found in a bathroom | | | | ramps for each side of the wheels, and other types |
| scale. | | | | use a platform to measure weight. |
| Today, digital scales are becoming more prominent. | | | | |