The intended purpose is a primary factor since this defines the required accuracy. We distinguish three types of application: fee, trade, or custody transfer, which typically require certified accuracy between 0.125 to 0.25%; process management or control, where +/- 0.25 to 0.5% is usually acceptable; and process monitoring, where +/- 3% may be all that’s required.
Other important considerations include the mass of material being handled and the speed of the belt. A heavy-duty belt scale is needed for higher throughput while a lighter duty model may be sufficient, and cheaper, if flow rates allow. Regarding belt speed, faster speeds are more demanding, with more idlers required to ensure an accurate reading, all other factors being equal.