TEST OF SCALES

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31836, 14 November 1968, Page 8

TEST OF SCALES

Six Brands Inaccurate Six brands of bathroom scales sold on the New Zealand market are far too inaccurate says the Consumers’ Institute. In the November issue of its magazine, “Consumer,” the institute says that when it carried out a comparative test on 15 brands, of bathroom scales only seven models were accurate to within two pounds in the most-used range—eight to 14 stone. The institute considers j that measuring errors in bathroom scales should not exceed two pounds if the machines are to serve their purpose adequately. "Several manufacturers have suggested that consistency of error—what one firm called repeatability—is more important than basic accuracy,” says the institute. "This argument could, of course, be taken to the ultimate absurdity where scale readings mean practically nothing. “Practically all advertising of bathroom scales refers to the accuracy and precision of the scales, and not to consistency or repeatability. Even firms who write to us claiming ‘consistency’ for their products have followed the general practice of advertising the benefits of accuracy and precision in their machines.” The only brand manufactured in New Zealand was among the group which passed the institute’s accuracy test. The New Zealand model tested gave very good results in the calibration test before and after the severe endurance test. The endurance test involved placing a 1651 b weight on the scales 7000 times—estimated to simulate at least five years use in a home. None of the scales suffered mechanical failure during this test, although the 7000 weighings did introduce some change in the accuracy of all the models. The scales were also rated for stability, readability and ease of zero adjustment