Sartorius BCA223i-1OCN Precision Analytical Balance

Overview

The Sartorius BCA223i-1OCN is a high-performance precision analytical balance engineered for laboratories requiring consistent 1 mg readability, robust repeatability (≤ ±1 mg), and full compliance with global quality standards. Built upon the Entris® II platform — refined over nearly 150 years of German metrological expertise — this balance employs Sartorius’ proprietary monolithic sensor technology to deliver exceptional stability, rapid settling times (<2 seconds to final reading under standard conditions), and long-term drift resistance. Its 220 g maximum capacity and 1 mg resolution make it ideal for routine quantitative analysis, formulation, quality control testing, and R&D applications where traceable accuracy and operational integrity are non-negotiable. The balance operates within ISO 9001-certified manufacturing environments and conforms to fundamental requirements of USP (Weights and Balances), USP (Weighing on an Analytical Balance), and ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories.

Key Features

• Integrated real-time level monitoring with visual/audible alert and step-by-step leveling guidance — eliminates manual bubble-level dependency and ensures optimal mechanical alignment before every measurement.
• isoCAL® fully automatic internal calibration and adjustment system, triggered by time intervals or temperature fluctuations (±1.5 °C), guaranteeing continuous traceability without user intervention.
• CalAuditTrail™ — automatically logs all calibration events, including date/time stamp, operator ID (if enabled), environmental conditions, and pass/fail status — generating audit-ready reports compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements.
• Graphical color touchscreen interface with intuitive icon-based navigation and multi-language support (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Hungarian).
• Dual USB-C ports: one for direct connection to PCs or printers; the other for secure data export to encrypted USB drives — supporting CSV, TXT, and PDF formats with configurable metadata fields.
• RS-232 serial interface (9-pin) for legacy LIMS or ERP integration, ensuring backward compatibility across enterprise laboratory infrastructures.
• Modular draft shield with fully removable side/top sliding doors and electrostatic-dissipative coated glass — minimizing electrostatic interference and enabling seamless handling of large vessels or irregular samples.
• Advanced application suite: 13 pre-installed functions including parts counting, percentage weighing, density determination (with optional kit), animal weighing, statistics (mean, SD, CV), peak hold, checkweighing, unit conversion, and formulation mixing — all validated per internal SOPs.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BCA223i-1OCN accommodates a wide range of sample types — from powders and granules to viscous liquids and small solid components — thanks to its spacious weighing chamber (W × D × H: 180 × 190 × 220 mm) and optional lower hook for below-balance measurements. Its corrosion-resistant construction — combining stainless steel load receptor, PBT polymer housing, and chemically inert glass components — ensures durability in environments exposed to solvents, acids, or alkaline reagents. All firmware and software operations adhere to GLP and GMP principles: user access control (up to 10 configurable accounts with hierarchical permissions), password-protected parameter modification, and tamper-evident electronic signatures for critical actions. Data outputs include mandatory timestamps, instrument ID, and operator credentials — satisfying regulatory expectations for raw data integrity as defined in ICH M7 and ALCOA+ frameworks.

Software & Data Management

Data capture and export are governed by embedded firmware compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 Annex A requirements: electronic records retain full audit trails, immutable timestamps, and role-based access enforcement. The balance supports direct printing via thermal or dot-matrix printers with customizable report templates — including calibration certificates, daily verification logs, and batch-specific weighing summaries. Optional Sartorius LabX® Lite software enables centralized device management, remote configuration, and automated report generation across multi-instrument networks. All exported files embed digital signatures and hash values for forensic validation during regulatory inspections.

Applications

This balance serves core workflows across pharmaceutical QC labs (e.g., active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) assay, reference standard preparation), academic research (gravimetric analysis, catalyst loading, stoichiometric synthesis), food safety testing (moisture content, ash determination), and materials science (powder density, coating mass uniformity). Its isoCAL®-enabled stability makes it suitable for dynamic processes such as continuous feeding control in pilot-scale reactors or real-time loss-on-drying (LOD) monitoring when interfaced with compatible ovens.

FAQ

Does the BCA223i-1OCN meet USP requirements for analytical balance qualification?
Yes — its 1 mg readability, ≤ ±1 mg repeatability, and built-in calibration traceability satisfy USP minimum performance criteria for Class I analytical balances used in compendial testing.
Can calibration data be exported in a format acceptable for FDA inspection?
Yes — CalAuditTrail™ generates timestamped, digitally signed PDF or CSV reports containing full calibration history, environmental context, and operator identification — fully aligned with 21 CFR Part 11 Subpart B.
Is the balance suitable for use in ISO Class 5 cleanrooms?
Yes — its sealed electronics, smooth non-porous surfaces, and absence of ventilation grilles enable effective cleaning and disinfection per ISO 14644-1 protocols.
What is the warranty coverage and service support structure?
Sartorius provides a standard 2-year limited warranty; extended service plans with on-site calibration and preventive maintenance are available through authorized service partners in APAC and EMEA regions.
How does the internal level sensor improve measurement reliability?
It continuously monitors tilt angle with ±0.1° resolution and interrupts weighing if deviation exceeds ±0.5°, preventing systematic error propagation — a feature validated per ISO 17025 clause 6.4.2 for environmental condition control.