Legal Metrology Act, 2014 (Act No. 9 of 2014)RegulationsLegal Metrology Regulations, 2017Part XI : Measuring instruments and containers used for prescribed purposes73. Steelyards and travelling or sliding poises on weighing instruments |
| (1) | On any weighing instrument except a weighing instrument to which regulation 89 applies of which the load measuring device, or part thereof, including a tare beam, is a steelyard— |
| (a) | the upper surface or edge of the steelyard must be in a perfectly straight plane over the graduated portion; and |
| (b) | adequate stops must be provided to prevent any of the poises from travelling behind the zero graduation or off the steelyard. |
| (2) | On a weighing instrument to which subregulation (1) applies— |
| (a) | the graduations on a steelyard must consist of notches or indelible lines so defined that the position of the travelling or sliding poise or poises with respect thereto is easily discernible; |
| (b) | notches and graduation lines must be evenly cut or marked in one plane at right angles to the steelyard, must be uniformly spaced and parallel to each other and any error in the marking of the graduations must not exceed one-fifth of the distance between graduations or the allowance of error on the weighing instrument, whichever is the lesser; |
| (c) | where notches and graduation lines are used in combination, the lines must clearly correspond to their equivalent notches; |
| (d) | on a new steelyard the distance between notches or graduation lines, measured from centre to centre, must be not less than 1,5 mm; |
| (e) | the width of graduation lines on a new steelyard must not exceed one quarter of the distance between them, measured from centre to centre; |
| (f) | where any new steelyard has two or more poises, the graduations relating to all of the poises except the smallest must consist of notches, unless otherwise approved by the National Regulator; and |
| (g) | where any weighing instrument has more than one steelyard the graduations on each steelyard, except the minor steelyard, must consist of notches. |
| (3) | On a weighing instrument to which subregulation (1) applies— |
| (a) | no loose material shall be permitted in or on any travelling or sliding poise; |
| (b) | where lead is used for adjusting purposes on any travelling or sliding poise, it must not come into contact with the steelyard; |
| (c) | a sliding poise on a new or repaired un-notched steelyard or steelyard bar must be provided with a set-screw or with a spring loaded brake to retain it in any set position; |
| (d) | a new or repaired travelling or sliding poise must be so constructed that no part thereof, including the set-screw where one is provided, can easily be detached; |
| (e) | a travelling or sliding poise must be of such shape and design that its position with respect to each notch or graduation on the steelyard is definitely indicated and easily readable; |
| (f) | a new travelling or sliding poise must be of such shape and be so fitted that no foreign bodies can lodge in any cavity or hollow; and |
| (g) | a travelling or sliding poise must be so made that its centre of gravity cannot change except in respect of the normal movement of the poise. |