Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms for the Scale Industry

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B

Balance Beam
Mass measuring device employing beam-mounted sliding weights to balance, and thereby determine, unknown load.

Batch
A group of commands that are executed one at a time. Same as script.

Batcher
Device that dispenses preset amount of material by number, volume, or weight.

Batch Mixer
Device that combines discrete amounts of material into blended state prior to discharge.

Battery Backup
Battery or set of batteries that provide power to memory only when main power source is off.

Baud
A unit of data transmission speed equal to the number of bits (or signal events) per second; 300 baud = 300- bits per second.

Baud Rate
The speed at which data is transmitted. Measured in symbols per second. This is not the same as bits-per second since each symbol can carry several bits of information.

BCD
Binary-coded decimal.

BCD, Buffered
Binary-coded decimal output with output drivers, to increase line-drive capability.

BCD, Parallel
A digital data output format where every decimal digit is represented by binary signals on four lines and all digits are presented in parallel. The total number of lines is 4 times the number of decimal digits.

BCD, Serial
A digital data output format where every decimal digit is represented by binary signals on four lines and up to five decimal digits are presented sequentially. The total number of lines is four data lines plus one strobe line per digit.

Beam
The indicating device of a lever scale.

Belt Loading
In weigh-belt equipment, measure of material weight per unit length of conveyor belt used to determine actual feed rate or material throughput.

Belt Speed
In weigh-belt equipment, rate of travel of conveyor belt. When combined with value of belt loading, actual feed rate and material through can be determined.

Bending Strain (moment strain)
The relationship between the force and the amount of bending that results from it.

Bezel
A holder designed to receive and position the edges of a lens, meter, window or display.

Bi-directional
Data flow in either direction on a wire between pieces of equipment. Each equipment item can both receive and transmit data.

Bit
Acronym for binary digit. The smallest unit of computer information, it is either a binary 0 or 1. See binary digit.

Bit Rate
Number of bits per second.

BNC
A quick disconnect electrical connector used to interconnect and/or terminate coaxial cables.

Board
1) Printed-circuit board. 2) Printed-circuit board assembly.

BPS
Bits per second.

Bridge
A Wheatstone bridge configuration utilizing four active strain gages.

Bridge Resistance
The nominal value of the individual legs that make up a complete Wheatstone bridge.

Bug
Error or malfunction in program or hardware.

Bulk Density
Weight-to-volume ratio used to determine dry material mass. Usually expressed in pounds per cubic foot, grams per liter, or grams per cubic centimeter.

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