OHAUS NAVIGATOR® Portable Precision Balance NVT2201ZH

Overview

The OHAUS NAVIGATOR® Portable Precision Balance NVT2201ZH is an entry-level general-purpose balance engineered for reliability, operational simplicity, and robustness in dynamic non-regulated or semi-regulated environments. Based on electromagnetic force compensation (EMFC) transduction technology, it delivers stable, drift-resistant mass readings under variable ambient conditions—including minor vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and intermittent power supply scenarios common in field labs, quality control checkpoints, warehouse staging areas, and educational settings. With a maximum capacity of 2200 g and 1 g readability, the NVT2201ZH operates within ISO 9001-aligned manufacturing standards and is validated for routine weighing tasks where traceability to national standards (e.g., NIST-traceable weights) is maintained via external calibration. Its compact footprint (220 × 300 × 85 mm), integrated transport lock, and dual-power architecture (AC or battery) enable seamless mobility without compromising mechanical integrity or measurement consistency.

Key Features

• Fourfold overload protection—mechanically and electronically enforced—to safeguard load cell integrity during accidental overloading up to 8800 g.
• Dual power configuration: factory-supplied AC adapter ensures continuous operation; optional 4 × AA battery pack provides >100 hours of runtime (typical usage), with low-battery indicator and auto-shutdown after 3 minutes of inactivity.
• Backlit monochrome LCD (128 × 64 pixels) with large, high-contrast digits (18 mm height) optimized for rapid visual verification under low-light or high-glare conditions.
• Three standard weighing modes: basic mass measurement, piece counting (PCS), and percent weighing (%); all support user-defined unit labels and tare memory retention across sessions.
• Integrated leveling bubble and adjustable non-slip feet ensure consistent platform stability on uneven surfaces—critical for minimizing repeatability deviation in mobile applications.
• Configurable communication protocols: RS232 (standard), USB virtual COM port (optional firmware upgrade), and Ethernet (via optional interface module), enabling integration with LIMS, MES, or custom SCADA systems.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The NVT2201ZH accommodates samples ranging from bulk solids (e.g., powders, granules, packaged components) to medium-sized industrial parts, with compatibility extending to containers up to 150 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height. The 120 × 160 mm stainless steel pan resists corrosion from mild solvents and cleaning agents. While not certified for Class I/II hazardous locations or IP65-rated enclosures, the device meets IEC 61010-1 safety requirements for laboratory electrical equipment and complies with RoHS 2011/65/EU and WEEE 2012/19/EU directives. For regulated workflows, its RS232 output supports ASCII-formatted data streams with time/date stamps and operator ID fields—enabling alignment with 21 CFR Part 11–compliant documentation practices when paired with validated third-party data capture software.

Software & Data Management

No proprietary software is bundled; however, the balance supports industry-standard ASCII protocol (OIML R76-compatible framing) for direct serial-to-PC transmission. Users may configure baud rate (1200–9600), parity, stop bits, and print trigger logic via front-panel menu navigation. Optional OHAUS Logger Pro™ (v3.2+) enables real-time graphing, statistical analysis (mean, SD, CV%), and PDF report generation—including calibration history logs and weight trend overlays. All data exports retain native timestamping synchronized to internal RTC (±2 s/month drift). Audit trails are maintained externally through host-system logging—essential for GLP/GMP adherence in non-cGMP manufacturing and R&D contexts.

Applications

• Raw material receipt inspection in food processing facilities, where batch-weight verification against purchase orders is performed at dockside stations.
• Component counting in electronics assembly lines using pre-determined average piece weight (APW) values stored in local memory.
• Formulation checks in pharmaceutical pilot plants for excipient blending steps requiring ±0.5% relative accuracy.
• Classroom experiments in undergraduate chemistry and physics curricula emphasizing metrology fundamentals, uncertainty propagation, and error analysis.
• Field-based environmental sampling—e.g., soil core mass registration prior to moisture content determination per ASTM D2216.

FAQ

What calibration weights are required for external calibration?
A single NIST-traceable weight equal to 100% of full scale (2200 g) is sufficient for linear verification; optional intermediate points (e.g., 500 g, 1000 g) may be used for linearity assessment per ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines.
Is the balance suitable for use in humid or dusty environments?
It is rated for indoor use only (IP32 ingress protection equivalent); prolonged exposure to condensation or airborne particulates exceeding ISO 14644-1 Class 8 cleanroom limits may affect long-term stability.
Can multiple units be managed centrally via network?
Yes—when equipped with the optional Ethernet interface module, up to 32 balances can be polled simultaneously using Modbus TCP or HTTP-based REST API endpoints (firmware v2.4+ required).
Does the device support automatic tare on container placement?
No—tare must be initiated manually via front-panel keypress; auto-tare is not implemented to prevent unintended zero-shift during transient loading events.
How is compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 documented?
OHAUS provides a Factory Calibration Certificate (traceable to NIST) with each unit; users must perform periodic verification using accredited reference weights and maintain records of calibration intervals, environmental conditions, and operator signatures per Clause 6.4.10 of the standard.