Why is my RCBS scale tipping in the presence of this plastic? Head scratcher!

[1SOW]

A negative potential is "attracted" to a positive potential. Thats why you get static shock "just before" you touch the door knob. It "jumps" the gap. Larger the charge, the bigger the "jump" can be. If you could touch it before it arcs, you wouldn't get "zapped".

A charge moving through a conductor does create a circular field around the conductor.
Can't remember if it's the right hand and thumb direction or left hand, but it's there.

 

[Elkins45]

It's called the right hand rule, but it really should be the left hand rule because physics uses conventional current.

The magnetic damping of the scale isn't involved here. Its purely an induced static reaction. This phenomenon has been reported on in reloading articles before.

 

[1SOW]

Thanks Elkins45. Motors, fields, induction---46 years ago is long time for me to remember 'anything'.

 

[Striker Fired]

If your running the tumbler on the same table/bench as your scale,the fine vibrations could be turning the zero knob on your scale and causing it to be off every day. I made a seperate ledge that only my scale goes on,nothing else amd it is isolated from the benck.
Either that or you have some elves coming into your room everynight and turning the knob,while gigling like school girls.

 

[Lost Sheep]

It's called the right hand rule, but it really should be the left hand rule because physics uses conventional current.

The magnetic damping of the scale isn't involved here. Its purely an induced static reaction. This phenomenon has been reported on in reloading articles before.

Following electrical current, it is the right-hand rule. Following the actual movement of the electrons, it is the left-hand rule. As my high-school physics instructor pointed out, "Electrons are left-handed".

Electrons were named by the ancient Greeks. They had no idea if they were positively charged or negatively charged. Or even that they were distinct phenomona with a discrete electrical charge. Centuries later, the rules of magnetism and electricity were being formulated and some physicist had to pick positive or negative...and chose wrong. So if the current is flowing one way, the electrons are actually moving the other direction.

Lost Sheep

 

[gamestalker]

Yep, the 5-0-5 is magnetic dampened. Mine will go bannas if I have my tumbler any where near it. Satic is also a problem, but primarily watch out for any electric motor within 5' or so of the scale. I've also heard that some types of lighting will also mess with them.

 

[1SOW]

Following electrical current, it is the right-hand rule. Following the actual movement of the electrons, it is the left-hand rule. As my high-school physics instructor pointed out, "Electrons are left-handed".

The triangle with a verticle line at the point symbol for a diode, shows negative to positive current flow.
At one time, the AF and Navy schematics were drawn "opposite" to each other for this symbol.

 

[twofifty]

^ no surprise there, ya gotta protect your own turf.
A great way to make the other side's techs look like dummies when in fact they aren't.

 

[The Bushmaster]

GJgo...

Conferring with RC and running a test with my RCBS 5-0-5 this is my findings.

I set up my 5-0-5 on my loading bench and checked for level with a small (bullet) level and set my beam scale to "0" three days ago. Noting that the level had a rather strong magnet in it's base I ran the level over the scale with absolutely no effect to the scale's setting. I then let it set (under a fluorescent light (four tube) and ocassionally bumped it and opened the window in my man cave once in a while.

My RCBS 5-0-5 beam scale never moved from "0" at any time and when bumped or jiggled while I was working on the bench it always returned to "0".

Conclusion: In my opinion nothing much effects the 5-0-5. At least not mine. I didn't try the static electricity part of this because I figured that the strong magnet test was enough. Besides the only thing around my house with static electricity is me and my dog tends to stay away from me.

One thing I might suggest is that you have a look at the beam fulcrum knife edges and the rest they set in with a magnifying glass. Look for dirt, nicks on the knife edges and deformities in the fulcrum rests.

RC...I take back what I said about atmopheric pressure having an effect on the scale. You are right. Because of equal pressure there is no effect at all. In my area we have gone from a high pressure to a low pressure and back again and the scale remained at "0"...

 

[brickeyee]

"I didn't try the static electricity part of this because I figured that the strong magnet test was enough."

Wrong on so many fronts.

Non-magnetic materials that are not moving relative to a magnetic field will not be influenced by the field.

ANY conductor moving in a magnetic field IS influenced.

THAT is how a 'magnetic damper' works.
As long as the damper is moving it is affected by the fixed magnetic field by eddy currents.
One it stops moving no force is exerted is the metal is not ferromagnetic (the small paramagnetic affect is not enough to cause issues with a powder scale).

Static electricity creates an electric field that can exert forces on conductors or other charged objects.
Static electricity on a non-conductor (like most plastics) is on the surface typically and generates an electric field, and with a scale as sensitive as a powder scale made from metal it can affect readings.

To remove static electricity from a non-conductor you need to wipe the entire surface with a grounded object, or put something on the surface that can allow the static charges to bleed off or recombine (and cancel).

Even a very high resistance path is more than enough to bleed of static electricity.

 

[GJgo]

I think I might need one more guy to say it's static before I'll beleive it. Just kidding, "cleaned" the charge off the plastic tub and no more interference so problem solved.

I did a close inspection today in the fulcrum edge & seat, they're both perfect. I always thought maybe the +/- 0.1g day to day could be from the position of the Earth in its rotation, maybe magnetic north floating. haha

 

[rcmodel]

O.K.
It's Static Electricity in your Shorts.

Stop rubbing cat fur on them, and shuffling your bunny slippers on the shag rug, and your scales will work right again!

There, I said it.
But, The Dabble made me say it!

rc

 

[The Bushmaster]

Why thank you...No wonder they call you brickeyee.....

 

[TonyT]

Perhaps the magnet in the motor of the tumbler?