| I will go through various sources of errors/discrepancies that often result in incorrect readings.
1) Mis-calibratation
Any type of weighting scale should go through routine calibration. The calibration of electronic circuits may drift as time goes by. To avoid errors due to mis calibration, make sure you go to authorized centers and calibrate your instrument regularly.
2) Vibration and seismic disturbances; for example, Wind, Fans, or passing of heavy trucks.
3) Mis-aligned mechanical components. This happens due to thermal expansion (expansion due to heat) or contraction of mechanical components of the balance.
4) Magnetic field errors happens due to fields of nearby electric wiring and also from earth's magnetic field.
5) Friction of the mechanical components that prevents scale to reach equilibrium.
6) Corrosion of mechanical components may produce errors
7) Chemical reaction between air and substance being measured, happens with highly reactive substances that needs to be weighted.
8) When measuring wet items, error may occur due to evaporation of water or for cold items due to condensation.
9) Coriolis force exerted from Earth's rotation although this is systematic error.
10) Gravitational irregularities i.e. using the balance near a mountain; failing to level and recalibrate the balance after moving it from one geographical location to another |
