Balancing Your Weight
When you step onto a digital scale, a series of levers and brackets, or a stainless steel tray, beneath the surface of the scale distributes the weight evenly across a load cell. That way, regardless of where you stand, the scale will accurately measure your weight.
Load Cell
Any weight applied to the electronic scale pushes down on one end--the higher side--of an internal load cell, which is a metal beam that moves in relation to your weight. The lower side of the load cell is attached to a device called a "strain gauge." As pressure is applied to the higher side, it will shift slightly downward, causing the lower side of the load cell to move in such a way that it bends the strain gauge beneath it.
Strain Gauge
Any "strain" applied to the strain gauge by the load cell beam triggers electrical charges in accordance to the amount of electrical resistance. The greater the strain, the more intense the signal. Most electronic scales contain four strain gauges structured as a "Wheatstone bridge," which measures resistance using a bridge-like circuit design of three known resistors and one unknown.
LCD Readout
A microprocessor receives the analog signal from the strain gauge technology and converts it into digital information, which is sent to a liquid crystal display (LCD) as a measurement of your weight. Unlike standard spring scales, there is less confusion about reading this measurement because you do not have to guess which number the arrow points to. In fact, most displays are accurate beyond the tenth of a pound, making them an ideal choice for accurately measuring weight.
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