A&D FC-500i 1 lb / 500 g High-Resolution Counting Scale Guide
- pete8781
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
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A&D FC-500i is a 1 lb / 500 g counting scale with 0.0001 lb / 0.05 g direct weighing readability and A&D ACAI parts-counting technology. The often-advertised 0.0005 g figure is the fine-mode minimum unit weight used by the counting algorithm—not a 0.0005 g weighing display. That distinction is essential when selecting the scale for tiny electronic components, jewelry findings, fasteners or inventory.
Exact weighing and counting specifications
Capacity is 500 g / 1 lb, direct readability is 0.05 g / 0.0001 lb, normal-mode minimum unit weight is 0.01 g, and fine-mode minimum unit weight is 0.0005 g. A&D lists a maximum count display of one million pieces, standard 10-piece sampling with 5/25/50/100 or arbitrary samples available, and a 205 × 152 mm pan. Repeatability is 0.05 g and non-linearity is approximately ±0.05 g under specification conditions.
How ACAI improves count accuracy
Automatic Counting Accuracy Improvement recalculates average piece weight as additional known pieces are added. This reduces the effect of an imperfect initial sample. For extremely light or variable pieces, start with a larger representative sample, let ACAI refine the average, and validate a known hand-counted quantity before using a large displayed inventory count.
500 item memories and production workflow
FC-500i stores up to 500 IDs containing unit weight, tare, item code/name, accumulated quantity and comparator information. This is valuable for recurring kitting or stockroom work because operators can recall a known item setup instead of rebuilding piece weight each time. Periodically audit stored unit weights when suppliers or part revisions change.
RS-232C and remote-scale expansion
One bidirectional RS-232C channel is standard. Optional FC-03i adds two more serial channels, while FC-04i combines another RS-232C channel with comparator relay output; A&D states FC-03i and FC-04i cannot be used together. FC-05i adds a remote-scale connection so the high-resolution controller can work with a larger external platform for a two-scale counting workflow.
Calibration and verification
A&D specifies a 500 g calibration weight for FC-500i. Level the scale, control airflow/vibration, use an appropriate known reference, perform digital calibration, then independently verify with one or more known weights. Calibration adjusts weight response; count accuracy additionally depends on unit-weight sampling and actual part variation.
Legal-for-trade status
A&D’s current U.S. FC-i product pages present FC-500i as a high-resolution counting scale and do not identify it as an NTEP legal-for-trade model. Treat it as an inventory/production counting scale. If a regulated customer transaction is determined by weight, use a specifically certified device for that transaction.
Frequently asked questions
Direct readability? 0.05 g. Fine-mode minimum unit weight? 0.0005 g. Are those the same thing? No. Capacity? 500 g / 1 lb. Calibration weight? 500 g. Does it have RS-232C? Yes. Can it connect to a remote platform? Yes with FC-05i. How many item memories? 500. Is it presented by A&D U.S. as NTEP? No.
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