The Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations 1988

17.  Eccentric load testing

(a) Machines shall be subjected to eccentric load testing using each load and weight receptor, or combination of receptors, separately in association with the indicating or printing device which has the smallest prescribed limits of error for the value of load used in the testing.

(b) Subject to paragraph 5 of this Schedule, the inspector shall first balance the machine with the load and weight receptors empty and all the tare, weight indicating and printing devices set to zero.

(c) The receptor shall then be loaded as specified in subparagraph (d) below. The weight reading shall be noted for each specified position of the test load. For each weight reading the error must not exceed the appropriate prescribed limit of error.

(d) In the case of—

(i) a receptor freely suspended from one or two supports, a test load equal to half of the maximum load shall be distributed as nearly as practicable over half of the receptor without excessive stacking or overlapping of the edges. The test load shall then be moved to and distributed over the other half of the receptor;

(ii) a receptor other than that described in subparagraph (i) above and having a maximum capacity of 30 kg or less, a test load equal to one-third of the maximum load shall be placed in several positions on (or as close as is practicable to) the edges of the receptor without excessive stacking or overlapping of the edges;

(iii) a receptor other than that described in subparagraph (i) above, having not more than four supports and a maximum capacity of more than 30 kg, a test load equal to one-third of the maximum load shall be distributed successively and individually along each edge of the load receptor in turn, each area of distribution not exceeding one-quarter of the total area of the receptor;

(iv) a receptor having more than four supports and a maximum capacity of more than 30 kg, a test load equal to the fraction 1/(n−1) of the maximum load (where n is the number of supports) shall be distributed successively and individually about each support to cover an area of approximately 1/(n+1) of the surface area of the receptor. If this is not possible because the points of support are transversely too close together, a test load equal to 2/(n−1) of the maximum load shall be distributed successively and individually about each transverse line joining two supports to cover an area of approximately 2/(n+1) of the surface area of the receptor;

(v) a combination of receptors, a test load equal to one-third of the total maximum load for the combination shall be distributed as described in subparagraph (iii) above along those edges normally crossed by a load during loading and unloading of the combination of receptors.