Zero-setting and Zero-tracking Mechanisms (continued)
41 A weighing device equipped with a digital indicating element, other than a weighing device with an auxiliary indicating element, shall
(a) have an element that displays a special signal when the deviation from zero is not greater than 0.25 times the verification scale interval; or
(b) have an automatic means that maintains a zero balance condition to within ± 0.25 of the verification scale interval.
42(1) Subject to subsection (2) and section 43, the overall range of the zero-setting mechanism and the zero-tracking mechanism of a weighing device shall not exceed 4 per cent of the device’s maximum capacity.
(2) The overall range of the zero-setting mechanism and the zero-tracking mechanism of a weighing device may exceed 4 per cent of the device’s maximum capacity provided that the maximum gross load that can be weighed on the device is decreased by an amount at least equal to the amount, in excess of 4 per cent of the maximum capacity, adjusted by either mechanism.
43 The overall range of the initial zero-setting mechanism shall not exceed 20 per cent of the maximum capacity of the weighing device unless the device can perform within the applicable limits of error for any amount of initial load compensated by such mechanism.
44(1) The zero-tracking mechanism of a weighing device shall not be operator-controlled.
(2) The maximum load corrected at any one time by the zero-tracking mechanism of a weighing device shall not exceed 0.6 times the verification scale interval.
Motion
45 A weighing device that is operating in static mode and that has a digital indicating element shall permit zeroing, taring, printing or the storage of weight values only when the weight indication is stable within
(a) ± 3 verification scale intervals, in the case of a device with a maximum capacity of more than 2 000 kg (5 000 pounds); and
(b) ± 1 verification scale interval, in the case of all other weighing devices.
Weighing Devices Used For Direct Sales to the Public
46 A weighing device that calculates price and is intended for use in direct sales to the public, other than a postal scale or weight classifier, shall compute and indicate the total price only on the basis of the price per 100 grams, per kilogram or per pound.
47 A weighing device that calculates price and is intended for use in direct sales to the public shall display the unit price when the total price is displayed.
Seals
48(1) Access to the metrological functions and the adjustable components of an electronic weighing device shall be protected by means of readily accessible and observable physical seals or electronic sealing, such as an audit trail, that make apparent any accessing of the metrological functions or adjustable components.
(2) The information contained in an audit trail shall be available on site.
(3) In this section, audit trail means an electronic feature that counts the number of changes made to the calibration or configuration parameters of a weighing device, or records the values related to these changes.
49(1) The information set out in column I of the table to this section shall be marked, using appropriate words or the symbols set out in column II of that table, on the weighing devices and modules described in columns III to VI of that table.
TABLE
Column I
Column II
Column III
Column IV
Column V
Column VI
Information
Symbols
Modules in the same housing
Indicating elements tested separately
Weighing and load-receiving elements tested separately
Other equipment and accessories approved separately
Manufacturer, applicant or importer’s name or trademark
– – –
yes
yes
yes
yes
Model number
– – –
yes
yes
yes
yes
Distinctive serial number
– – –
yes
yes
yes
yes
Approval number
– – –
yes
yes
yes
yes
Accuracy class
,
,
,
or
yes
yes
yes
– – –
Maximum capacity
Max
yes
yes
yes
– – –
Verification scale interval
e
yes
yes
– – –
– – –
Actual scale interval, if different from the verification scale interval
d
yes
yes
– – –
– – –
Minimum verification scale interval
emin
– – –
– – –
yes
– – –
Maximum number of verification scale interval
nmax
– – –
yes
yes
– – –
Temperature range, if different from -10°C to 40°C
– – –
yes
yes
yes
– – –
(2) In this section,
(a)Modules in the same housing includes
(i) indicating elements, and weighing and load-receiving elements in the same housing, and
(ii) a weighing device composed of modules and approved as a single unit where the modules are not intended to be separated and interfaced with other modules approved separately;
(b)Indicating elements tested separately includes individually-approved indicating elements that may be attached to other approved modules;
(c)Weighing and load-receiving elements tested separately includes individually-approved weighing and load-receiving elements that may be attached to approved modules; and
(d)Other equipment and accessories approved separately includes other equipment and accessories that perform metrological functions and that can be tested and approved separately.
(3) In the case of the elements described in column IV of the table to this section, the maximum capacity and the actual scale interval shall be marked as required by paragraph 52(b) at the time they are attached to other modules to form a weighing device.
50 Where a weighing device or module is exempt, pursuant to paragraph 13(3)(a) of the Weights and Measures Regulations, from the application of any or all of the provisions of these Specifications, the device or module shall be marked with information sufficient to identify any restrictions placed on its use as set out in the notice of approval for that device or module, in a conspicuous and permanent manner.
51 All markings shall meet the following criteria:
(a) they shall be distinct, easily readable and of such nature that they will not become obliterated or illegible;
(b) they shall be of a height appropriate to the size of the device; and
(c) any capital letters in the markings shall be at least 2 mm high.
53 Descriptive plates shall be made of durable material and shall be permanently affixed to the weighing device.
54 Every weighing device shall have an area suitable for the application of the verification markings.
Installation and Use
General
55(1) A weighing device and any equipment and accessories attached to or used in conjunction with the device shall be installed and used in a manner that
(a) ensures accurate measurement;
(b) does not facilitate the perpetration of fraud;
(c) is in accordance with the manufacturer or importer’s instructions; and
(d) respects the parameters, restrictions and limitations set out in the notice of approval issued in respect of the device under section 3 of the Weights and Measures Act.
(2) The equipment and accessories described in subsection (1) shall be installed and used in such a manner that they do not detrimentally affect the performance of the device.
56 A weighing device shall be installed on a level and stable supporting surface that has sufficient strength and rigidity to maintain the device’s accuracy and durability required by these Specifications under normal conditions of use.
Protection from Environmental Factors
[
SI/2008-81, s. 13
]
57 A weighing device shall be adequately protected from environmental factors, such as wind, extremes of temperature, vibration and electromagnetic or electrostatic fields, that may adversely affect the device’s performance or durability.
58(1) A weighing device shall be used in such a manner that the commodities or objects that are being weighed are fully supported by the weighing and load-receiving element when their weight is observed or recorded.
(2) If a weighing device is operating in static mode, the commodities or objects that are being weighed shall be stationary when their weight is observed or recorded.
59 A weighing device that is used for direct sales shall be positioned so that the indication relating to the measurement and the transaction can be easily read and the weighing operation observed from the normal location of the customer.
60 A weighing device shall be installed in a manner that permits the operator of the device to observe the weighing and load-receiving element from the position of the operator reading the weight indications.
Suitability
61 A weighing device shall be suitable for its intended use with respect to elements of its design, including its maximum capacity, verification scale interval, number of the verification scale intervals, minimum net load that can be weighed and computing capability.
62(1) A weighing device that is used in an application described in column 1 of the table to this section shall be from the accuracy class set out in column 2 for that device, or from a higher accuracy class, and shall be used to weigh a load that is not less than the amount obtained by multiplying the verification scale interval by the corresponding multiplying factor set out in column 3, and the device’s smallest verification scale interval shall not exceed that set out in column 4.
(2) A weighing device described in subsection 2(2) that is used or intended to be used in an application described in column 1 of the table to this section and that is not marked with an accuracy class designation shall, for the purpose of applying these Specifications, be considered to be of the corresponding accuracy class set out in column 2 of that table.
(3) In this section, primary elevator, terminal elevator and transfer elevator have the meaning given to them in section 2 of the Canada Grain Act.
TABLE
Item
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Column 4
Minimum net load expressed as a number of verification scale intervals
Application
Accuracy class
Verification scale interval
Multiplying factor
Maximum verification scale interval permitted
1
Weighing precious metals and commodities of comparable value
(a) at the retail level
– – –
– – –
10 mg
(b) at the wholesale or industrial level
e ≤ 10 mg
– – –
– – –
e ≥ 20 mg
2 000
– – –
2
Weighing diamonds or other gemstones
– – –
– – –
1 mg or 0.005 carat
3
Weighing to determine postal, transportation or shipping charges, except when determined by means of a weighing device with a maximum capacity of 4 000 kg (10 000 pounds) or more
e ≤ 50 g (2 ounces)
10
– – –
e > 50 g (2 ounces)
20
– – –
4
Weighing gravel, land fill and other raw material for road construction
e
50
– – –
5
Weighing waste material other than scrap metal
e
10
– – –
6
Weighing scrap metal (ferrous)
e
20
– – –
7
Weighing scrap metal (non-ferrous)
e
100
– – –
8
Weighing grain at a primary, transfer or terminal elevator, or alcohol, by means of a weighing device with a maximum capacity of 4 000 kg (10 000 pounds) ormore
e
200
– – –
9
Weighing bulk commodities, other than the commodities referred to in items 1 to 8, by means of a weighing device with a maximum capacity of 4 000 kg (10 000 pounds) or more
e
100
– – –
10
Any other application
0.1 g ≤ e ≤ 2 g
20
– – –
e = 5 g
20
– – –
5 g < e < 50 g
50
– – –
e ≥50 g
100
– – –
Note: See table to section 3 for equivalent Canadian units.
