PCE Instruments PCE-PB N Series User manual

© PCE Instruments
Platform Scales PCE-PB N Series
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (français,
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Last change: 28 December 2021
v1.0
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Technical data .......................................................................................2
3Delivery scope.......................................................................................2
4Introduction ........................................................................................... 2
5Display overview...................................................................................3
5.1 Key description................................................................................................................. 3
6First use ................................................................................................. 4
7Weighing................................................................................................ 4
8Zero / tare function................................................................................ 4
9Weighing units ......................................................................................5
10 Piece counting function .......................................................................5
11 Settings / functions............................................................................... 6
11.1 Functions of the keys in the settings menu....................................................................... 6
11.2 SEnd................................................................................................................................ 7
11.3 bAUd................................................................................................................................ 8
11.4 AU-Po.............................................................................................................................. 8
11.5 bA-LI................................................................................................................................ 8
11.6 Zero ................................................................................................................................. 9
11.7 FIL ..................................................................................................................................10
11.8 Ho-FU.............................................................................................................................10
11.9 CALib..............................................................................................................................10
11.10rESEt ..............................................................................................................................12
12 Error messages / troubleshooting .................................................... 12
13 Warranty............................................................................................... 13
14 Disposal ...............................................................................................13

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1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The
device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and
not covered by our warranty.
•The device must only be used as described inthis instruction manual.If used otherwise,
this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
•The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative
humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose
the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
•Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
•The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
•Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
•You must not make any technical changes to the device.
•The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner,
no abrasives or solvents.
•The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
•Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not
use the device.
•Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
•The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under
any circumstances.
•Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to
the user.
We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of
business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments. The contact details can be found at
the end of this manual.

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2 Technical data
Scale type
PCE-PB 60N
PCE-PB 150N
Weighing range (max.)
60 kg / 132 lbs
150 kg / 330 lbs
Minimum load (min.)
60 g / 2.1 oz
150 g / 5.3 oz
Readability (d)
20 g / 1.7 oz
50 g / 1.7 oz
Accuracy
±80 g / 2.8 oz
±200 g / 7 oz
Weighing platform
300 x 300 x 45 mm / 11 x 11 x 1.7"
Display
LCD, 20 mm / 0.78" digit height (white on black
background)
Display cable
900 mm / 35" coiled cable extendable to approx. 1.5 m /
60" (plug connector)
Measuring units
kg / lb / N (Newton) / g
Working temperature
+5 ... +35 °C / 41 ... 95 °F
Interface
USB, bidirectional
Weight
approx. 4 kg / 8.8 lbs
Power supply
9V DC / 200 mA mains adaptor or 6 x 1.5 V AA batteries
Recommended calibration
weight
Class M1 (freely selectable)
3 Delivery scope
1 x platform scales
1 x display stand
1 x USB interface cable
1 x mains adaptor
1 x user manual
4 Introduction
Platform scales are scales that are used in almost any area due to their special function as multi-
function scales. The display of the platform scales is connected to an approx. 90 cm / 35" long
coiled cable that can be extended up to 1.5 m / 60". The objects to be weighed can thus be easily
moved across the weighing surface of 300 x 300 mm / 11 x 11 x 1.7". The objects to be weighed
can thus easily protrude beyond the weighing surface of 300 x 300 mm / 11 x 11 x 1.7". The
platform scales can be operated with a mains adaptor or with standard batteries. The special
functions are: multiple taring over the complete weighing range, Auto ON-OFF can be
deactivated, Auto Zero can be deactivated, adjustable data transfer, bidirectional USB interface.

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5 Display overview
5.1 Key description
ON/OFF key
Turns the scales ON or OFF
ZERO / TARE key
(dual function)
1. Tare - The weight is tared, for gross / net
weighing.
2. ESC (Escape) - In the menu, you exit the functions
with this key.
UNIT / PRINT key
(triple function)
1. Change measuring unit in kg / lb / N / g
2. Print measured value / send to PC (press and hold
for 2 s)
3. Switch between settings in the menu
COUNT / ENTER key
(dual function)
1. Activate the piece counting function (function
explained in chapter 10)
2. Confirmation key in the menu (Enter)
&
MENU / SETTINGS
(key combination)
Enter the menu by pressing these two keys at the
same time

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6 First use
Remove the scales from the packaging and place them on an even and dry surface. Make sure
that the scales stand firmly and securely. Now, if the display is to stand on the desk, you can slide
the display stand into the display (see back of display). Now connect the coiled cable of the
platform to the display, insert the batteries (6x 1.5 V AA) or the 9 V mains adaptor into the scales
(depending on which power supply you want to use).
ATTENTION:
If the scales are operated by electricity (mains adaptor), the batteries must be removed to prevent
damage.
Press the "ON/OFF" key to start the scales.
When the display shows 0.00 kg, the scales are ready for use.
7 Weighing
Do not start weighing until the display shows 0.00 kg. If a weight is already shown in the display
although the scales are not loaded, press the "ZERO / TARE" key to zero the value, otherwise
you would obtain falsified values.
When the display shows 0.00 kg, you can start weighing. When the weight display is stable (no
fluctuating values), the result can be read in the display. The stable value is indicated by a circle
at the top right.
8 Zero / tare function
Formula weighing / gross - net weighing
As already described, the "ZERO / TARE" key can be used to zero (tare) the result shown on the
display. Although the display shows a 0.00 kg value, the zeroed weight is saved in the scales’
internal memory and can be recalled.
The scales allow multiple taring until the maximum capacity is reached.
ATTENTION!
Taring/zeroing the weights does not increase the weighing range of the scales. (see weighing
range)
It is possible to switch between the net weight and the gross weight once. To do this, press and
hold the "ZERO / TARE" key until "notArE" appears in the display.

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Example:
After starting, thescales display "0.00 kg". The user places an empty box on the scales, the scales
display e. g. "2.50 kg". The user presses the "ZERO / TARA" key, the display briefly shows the
information "tArE" and then "0.00 kg", although the box of "2.50 kg" is still on the scales. Now the
user removes the box from the scales, the scales now show "-2.50 kg" and the user fills the box
with the goods to be weighed, e. g. 7.50 kg of apples. After the box has been placed on thescales
again, the scales now show "7.50 kg" in the display, i. e. only the weight of the goods to be
weighed (net weight).
If you now want to see the total weight on the scales (apples + box = gross weight), press and
hold the "ZERO / TARE" key. After a short time, approx. 2 s, the display shows the information
"notArE" and then the gross weight. In this case, the scales show "10.00 kg" in the display.
9 Weighing units
With the help of the "PRINT / UNIT", key you can change the weighing unit of the scales. By
pressing the "PRINT / UNIT" key several times, you can switch between kg / lb / Newton and g.
g = gramme / kg = kilogramme = 1000 g / lb = pound = 453.592374 g / N = Newton = 0.10197 kg
10 Piece counting function
The scales enable piece counting with the help of reference weights. The piece weight should not
fall below the readability (resolution = d). Observe the minimum load, resolution and accuracy of
the scales. (see 2 Technical data)
The first use of the function is done in two steps.
1. Place 5 / 10 / 20/ 25 / 50 / 75 or 100 pieces of the products to becounted on the scales.
2. When the weight value is stable, press and hold the "COUNT / ENTER" key until the
display changes to "PCS" and one of these numbers flashes on the display: 5 / 10 / 20
/ 25 / 50 / 75 or 100.
3. Use the "PRINT / UNIT" key to switch between the numbers 5 / 10 / 20 / 25 / 50 / 75
and 100. Select the number that matches the reference number you are using and
confirm it with the "COUNT / ENTER" key. The number stops flashing and the scales
are now in counting mode. (see picture)
You can switch between the counting function and the normal weighing function by pressing the
"COUNT / ENTER" key. The determined piece weight remains saved until the next change.
If you want to continue counting with the last used piece weights, press the "COUNT / ENTER"
key. The display then changes to counting mode. (Display info "PCS")

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Hint:
To obtain a more accurate count, the reference weight should be determined with as high a piece
count as possible. Fluctuating piece weights are quite common; therefore, a good average value
should be determined as the piece weight. (Observe minimum load / readability and accuracy).
Example: The user places 10 objects with a total weight of 1.50 kg on the scales. The scales
count 1.50 kg: 10 = 0.15 kg (150 g) piece weight. Each weight determined is simply divided by
the 150 g and shown as the piece count on the display.
11 Settings / functions
The special feature of these scales lies in the useful setting options. From the settings of the USB
interface to the settings of the automatic switch-off to the RESET, the scales offer the possibility
to adapt ideally to your requirements.
To enter the menu where the scale settings can be made, press and hold the "UNIT / PRINT" and
the "COUNT / ENTER" keys for approx. 2 s.
The display briefly shows "Pr-Set" and then one of the following menu items (see below).
- SEnd
- bAUd
- Au-Po
- bA-LI
- Zero
- FIL
- Ho-FU
- CALib
- rESEt
11.1 Functions of the keys in the settings menu
ZERO / TARE key
This key allows you to jump back one step in the menu or to
exit the menu.
UNIT / PRINT key
This key allows you to switch between the menus and
change the settings.
COUNT / ENTER key
This key is a confirmation key, i. e. for applying settings.

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11.2 SEnd
Setting the USB interface or data transmission
The USB interface of the scales is a bidirectional interface. Bidirectional interfaces enable two-
way communication. This means that the scales cannot only send data but also receive data or
commands. For this purpose, there are different possibilities when the data is to be sent to the
PC. For this purpose, the scales offer the following transfer options:
- KEY = Datatransfer by pressing a key. Press and hold the"UNIT / PRINT"key (approx.
2 s) until a second beep signals data transfer.
- Cont = Continuous data transfer (approx. two values per second)
- StAb = With this setting, the data is sent automatically but only when the weight value
is stable (see stability icon in the display).
- ASK = Data transfer on request from PC
This is where the special feature of the bidirectional interface comes into play. With
the help of the following commands, the scales can be controlled remotely. This
enables convenient integration into systems such as merchandise management
systems or shipping software.
TARE command (-T-)
The command tares the weight that is on the scales
Command: ST + CR + LF
Entering a tare value
The command allows you to enter a tare value to be subtracted from the weight.
Command: ST_ _ _ _ (note the digits, see "entry option" below).
Entry option for 60 kg scales from ST00060 to ST60180
(min. 60 g / max. 60,180 g)
Entry option for 150 kg scales from ST00150 to ST150450
(min. 150 g / max. 150,450 g)
If the tare value entered is higher than the weighing range of the scales, the display shows
"*****" (The command does not work if the PEAK Hold or the animal weighing function is
active!)
Requesting the current weight indication
Command: Sx + CR + LF
OFF Switching off the scale
Command: SO + CR + LF
Attention!
If a command is sent that the scales do not know, the error "Err 5" appears in the display.

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Interface description
USB interface settings are:
Baud rate 2400 - 9600 / 8 bits / none parity / one bit stop
Format 16 characters
The weight display including the weight unit ("g" / "kg" etc.) including the "+" or "-" characters is
max. 16 characters long.
Example: + 60 kg
Byte 1 -character "+" or "-
Byte 2 -SPACE
Byte 3 to 10 -number (weight indication) or SPACE
Byte 11 -SPACE
Byte 12 to 14 -Display unit (Newton / kg / g / lb or PCS)
Byte 15 -CR (0Dh)
Byte 16 -LF (0Ah)
11.3 bAUd
Setting the baud rate
In order to establish trouble-free communication, the baud rate of the scales must be matched
with the settings of the PC and the software. The following are available for selection:
2400 / 4800 or 9600 baud
11.4 AU-Po
Auto Power OFF
The scales allow you to activate or deactivate the automatic switch-off. This is useful if, for
example, batteries are to be conserved. If the function is active, the scales are automatically
switched off if not used for a longer period of time (approx. 5 minutes). To start the scales, simply
press the "ON/OFF" key on the scales again.
You can select:
- on OFF after approx. 5 minutes
- oFF Scales remain ON until the "ON/OFF" key is pressed
11.5 bA-LI
Setting the display backlight
This function allows you to adjust the backlight of the display to your needs.
You can select:
- on Backlight permanently ON
- oFF Backlight OFF
- Au-to Backlight "ON" when scales are used (approx. 5 s)