Should I use a zero or a tare command?

These two applications sound quite similar, but here’s the difference:

ZERO- Actually moves the scale’s GROSS zero reference. You’ve told the scale that the zero reference is now different.

TARE- Removes the container NET weight from your Gross weight value without changing the zero reference point. Remember: Net Weight equals Gross Weight minus Tare Weight.

Your application will dictate whether you should use the Tare or Zero command.

A Zero command will make the Gross weight equal zero. However, the Zero command will only zero up to the amount specified in the zero tolerance parameter. You can zero the instrument as many times as desired, as long as the cumulative total does not exceed the zero tolerance value entered. If the zero tolerance value is exceeded, the unit will return an error code.

A Zero command is used to offset small amounts of product buildup. This can include product that sticks to the sides of a vessel or minor spills of material. A Zero command would  normally not be used to compensate for the weight of a container placed on the scale to be filled.

A Tare command will make the Net weight go to zero. There is no limit on the amount you can tare off for the net weight.

The Tare command would be used to offset the weight of a container to be placed on the scale to be filled, or an amount of product previously placed on the scale.

Example:

1. If a box is placed onto the scale to be filled, the user would use the Net weight and TARE the weight of the box off. This would allow only the weight of the product placed into the box to show in the Net weight readings.

2. If a mixer is being filled with multiple ingredients, the Net weight would be used and the TARE command would be given prior to each ingredient. This will allow the operator to see only the weight of the current ingredient as it is added. The Gross weight would show the total for the entire mixture.

3. After mixing the batch in example 2 above, the mixer is emptied, but an amount of the mixture stuck to the inside of the vessel. The user would use the ZERO command to zero the scale before starting the next batch. This would cause the Gross weight to start at zero, so the total for all the ingredients would be correct. This also causes a limit, equal to the Zero Tolerance, to be placed on the amount of product to built up in the vessel. If this limit is exceeded, the operator would need to clean out the extra material.