Mettler Toledo PB1501-S Precision Balance – Used & Refurbished
The Mettler Toledo PB1501-S Precision Balance is a compact, straightforward laboratory balance designed for routine weighing applications requiring reliable tenth-of-a-gram resolution. With a maximum capacity of 1510 g and 0.1 g readability, the PB1501-S is well suited for sample preparation, reagent weighing, formulation, quality control, educational laboratories, and other everyday quantitative procedures.
Available used and refurbished from American Instrument Exchange, the Mettler Toledo PB1501-S offers proven Mettler Toledo weighing technology in a simple, durable design. Its large stainless steel weighing pan, backlit display, rapid stabilization, and RS232 connectivity make it a practical choice for laboratories that need dependable weighing without the complexity of newer touchscreen instruments. Each balance is inspected, cleaned, calibrated, and tested before shipment and includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.
Key Features
-
1510 g maximum weighing capacity
-
100 mg / 0.1 g readability
-
Approximately 0.05 g repeatability for the standard PB1501-S
-
0.1 g linearity
-
Approximately 1.5-second stabilization time
-
Large 180 × 180 mm stainless steel weighing pan
-
Bright backlit digital display
-
Straightforward keypad operation
-
RS232C interface for compatible printers and computers
-
Built-in stability detection and automatic zero correction
-
Multiple selectable weighing units
-
Compact benchtop footprint
-
Overload protection for routine laboratory use
-
Used, refurbished, calibrated, and tested by American Instrument Exchange
-
90-day warranty included
Overview
The Mettler Toledo PB1501-S comes from the manufacturer's Classic PB-S family of precision balances, a generation of laboratory balances designed around reliability, straightforward operation, and practical everyday weighing.
Its 1510 g capacity and 0.1 g readability make it particularly useful for routine procedures involving gram-level samples, reagents, containers, ingredients, and laboratory preparations.
Unlike high-resolution analytical and semi-micro balances, the PB1501-S does not require an enclosed draft shield or highly controlled weighing environment. Its open weighing platform provides easy access for beakers, bottles, weighing dishes, containers, and other common laboratory vessels.
This combination makes the PB1501-S particularly attractive as a general-purpose laboratory balance for facilities that value simplicity, durability, and proven performance over advanced touchscreen interfaces or sophisticated data-management features.
Common Applications
The Mettler Toledo PB1501-S is well suited for routine sample preparation, reagent weighing, formulation, component weighing, quality control, percentage weighing, check weighing, and general laboratory measurements.
Research and biotechnology laboratories can use the balance for everyday sample and reagent preparation where 0.1 g resolution is sufficient.
Chemical laboratories can use the PB1501-S for solution preparation, formulation, ingredient weighing, and other routine quantitative procedures.
Food and beverage, manufacturing, environmental, educational, and quality-control laboratories can also use the balance for ingredient measurement, sample preparation, testing, and general weighing.
Its relatively compact size also makes the PB1501-S useful as a secondary or departmental balance for laboratories that already maintain analytical balances for higher-resolution work.
Ideal Laboratory Types
The PB1501-S is a practical choice for research, biotechnology, chemical, environmental, food and beverage, manufacturing, educational, industrial, and quality-control laboratories.
It is especially appropriate for organizations that need reliable routine weighing but do not require the sub-gram resolution of a higher-performance precision or analytical balance.
Because the controls are straightforward and the weighing pan is easily accessible, the PB1501-S also works well in shared laboratory environments where multiple technicians, students, or operators may use the same balance.
For many basic weighing procedures, its relatively simple design can actually be an advantage: operators can tare the vessel, add material, obtain a stable result, and move on to the next sample without navigating complex software menus.
Precision Weighing Performance
The Mettler Toledo PB1501-S provides 0.1 g readability across a maximum capacity of 1510 g.
Manufacturer documentation for the standard PB1501-S specifies repeatability of approximately 0.05 g, linearity of 0.1 g, and a typical stabilization time of approximately 1.5 seconds.
This combination allows the balance to produce fast, consistent measurements during repetitive routine weighing.
The PB1501-S is therefore particularly useful when the laboratory's priority is not extremely fine resolution but rather fast, repeatable measurements across a practical gram-level weighing range.
Its 1.5 kg capacity also provides enough headroom for many laboratory containers in addition to the sample itself.
Minimum Sample Weight & Routine Quantitative Weighing
The PB1501-S displays measurements in 0.1 g increments, but readability should not be interpreted as the minimum quantity that can be quantitatively weighed.
Minimum sample weight depends on repeatability, installation conditions, calibration status, environmental influences, and the measurement uncertainty permitted by the laboratory's procedure.
For basic non-regulated procedures, the PB1501-S can provide dependable routine measurements when sample quantities are appropriate for its 0.1 g readability.
For regulated or highly quantitative procedures, laboratories should determine minimum acceptable sample weight based on the actual performance of the installed balance.
Applications involving substantially smaller sample quantities may be better served by a precision balance with 0.01 g readability or an analytical balance with 0.1 mg readability.
Controlling Vibration & Environmental Influences
The PB1501-S is relatively tolerant of normal laboratory conditions compared with analytical, semi-micro, and microbalances.
However, vibration, unstable work surfaces, strong airflow, rapid temperature changes, and improper leveling can still influence weighing performance.
For best results, the balance should be installed on a rigid, level laboratory bench away from significant vibration sources such as centrifuges, shakers, pumps, and compressors.
Strong HVAC airflow should also be avoided when practical.
Because the PB1501-S operates at 0.1 g readability, it generally does not require a dedicated anti-vibration table or enclosed weighing chamber for routine use. This makes it easy to integrate into existing laboratory workspaces.
Calibration & Adjustment
The PB1501-S was produced in multiple configurations, making it important to distinguish between the standard model and versions equipped with Mettler Toledo's FACT internal adjustment system.
The standard PB1501-S uses an external adjustment weight, with manufacturer documentation specifying a 1000 g adjustment weight for calibration.
Mettler Toledo also produced a PB1501-S/FACT configuration incorporating an internal adjustment weight.
For this reason, calibration capability should be verified from the exact model configuration rather than assuming that every PB1501-S contains automatic internal adjustment.
External adjustment remains a reliable approach when appropriate calibration weights and procedures are used.
American Instrument Exchange calibrates and evaluates each PB1501-S before shipment using appropriate reference weights and verifies the installed calibration functions as part of the refurbishment process.
Simple Operation & Durable Design
One of the strengths of the PB1501-S is its straightforward design.
The balance uses a large backlit display and conventional keypad controls, allowing users to quickly access essential weighing functions without navigating a touchscreen interface.
Automatic stability detection helps ensure that readings are taken after the weighing result has stabilized, while automatic zero correction helps maintain a consistent zero point during operation.
The 180 × 180 mm stainless steel weighing pan provides ample room for weighing dishes, beakers, bottles, containers, and other common laboratory vessels.
The weighing pan can also be removed for cleaning, simplifying routine maintenance after spills or dusty weighing procedures.
For laboratories seeking a durable general-purpose balance rather than a highly specialized analytical instrument, this simplicity can provide years of useful service.
Built-In Functions & RS232 Connectivity
Although the PB1501-S is an older-generation precision balance, it provides useful functionality beyond simple weight measurement.
Depending on configuration and settings, the PB-S platform supports common weighing functions and selectable weighing units for different laboratory and industrial applications.
The balance also includes an RS232C interface for communication with compatible peripheral devices.
A compatible Mettler Toledo printer can be used to create physical records of weighing results, while computer connectivity allows weighing data to be transferred electronically rather than manually transcribed.
For laboratories operating under GLP or GMP procedures, electronic or printed documentation can help support standardized recordkeeping workflows.
Key Specifications
| Specification |
Mettler Toledo PB1501-S |
| Balance Type |
Precision / Toploading Balance |
| Maximum Capacity |
1510 g |
| Readability |
100 mg / 0.1 g |
| Repeatability |
Approx. 0.05 g – standard PB1501-S |
| Linearity |
0.1 g |
| Typical Stabilization Time |
Approx. 1.5 seconds |
| Adjustment |
External on standard PB1501-S |
| Recommended Adjustment Weight |
1000 g |
| Weighing Pan |
180 × 180 mm |
| Display |
Backlit digital display |
| Overall Dimensions |
245 mm W × 321 mm D × 89 mm H |
| Net Weight |
Approx. 3.6 kg |
| Connectivity |
RS232C |
| Stability Detection |
Automatic |
| Zero Correction |
Automatic |
Choosing Between a 0.1 g and 0.01 g Precision Balance
The PB1501-S provides 0.1 g readability, making it ideal for routine gram-level weighing where extremely fine resolution is unnecessary.
A precision balance with 0.01 g readability provides ten times finer displayed resolution and may be preferable for smaller samples, formulation ingredients, or procedures where hundredth-of-a-gram differences are significant.
The tradeoff is that higher resolution can increase equipment cost and sensitivity to environmental influences.
For routine measurements involving larger quantities, the PB1501-S may provide all the resolution actually required while remaining easy to operate and relatively insensitive to normal laboratory conditions.
Balance selection should therefore be based on the smallest quantity that must be measured reliably—not simply on purchasing the instrument with the finest available readability.
PB1501-S vs. Modern Touchscreen Precision Balances
Modern Mettler Toledo precision balances provide features such as color touchscreens, automatic leveling guidance, expanded connectivity, user-management systems, and sophisticated workflow software.
The PB1501-S takes a much simpler approach.
For laboratories that primarily need to place a sample on the pan and obtain a reliable weight, this simplicity can be an advantage.
There are fewer software menus to navigate, operator training is straightforward, and the instrument still provides RS232 connectivity for basic data transfer.
A newer precision balance may be preferable for laboratories requiring advanced electronic data management, extensive user controls, or integration with modern laboratory informatics systems.
For straightforward routine weighing, however, a properly refurbished PB1501-S remains a practical and economical laboratory instrument.
Refurbishment & Performance Testing
Every used Mettler Toledo PB1501-S sold by American Instrument Exchange is inspected, cleaned, refurbished as necessary, calibrated, and tested before shipment.
Our technicians use appropriate calibration weights to evaluate critical weighing characteristics including accuracy, repeatability, linearity, corner-load tolerances, stability, and reduced span at or near full capacity.
The weighing system, display, keypad, weighing pan, leveling components, RS232 interface, calibration functions, and other installed features are also inspected and tested for proper operation.
Because multiple PB1501-S configurations were produced, American Instrument Exchange verifies the calibration system actually installed on the individual balance rather than assuming a particular configuration.
The balance is thoroughly cleaned and receives a final operational inspection before shipment.
Each refurbished PB1501-S includes a 90-day warranty from American Instrument Exchange.
Shipping & Installation Considerations
American Instrument Exchange securely prepares the PB1501-S for shipment to protect its weighing system, stainless steel pan, display, and electronic components.
Once received, the balance should be installed on a rigid, stable, level work surface away from significant vibration and strong airflow.
After the balance has acclimated to the laboratory environment, calibration or adjustment should be performed as appropriate for the specific configuration before critical quantitative procedures begin.
For regulated applications, installation should be followed by any required calibration, verification, or qualification according to the laboratory's quality procedures.
Related Laboratory Equipment
American Instrument Exchange maintains an extensive inventory of used and refurbished laboratory balances, including analytical balances, semi-micro balances, microbalances, and precision balances for applications ranging from routine sample preparation to high-resolution quantitative analysis.
Labs developing complete analytical or sample-preparation workflows can also source centrifuges, water baths, incubators, laboratory refrigerators, laboratory freezers, and other refurbished laboratory equipment from American Instrument Exchange.
Mettler Toledo PB1501-S Precision Balance FAQs
What is the maximum capacity of the Mettler Toledo PB1501-S?
The PB1501-S has a maximum weighing capacity of 1510 g, making it appropriate for many routine laboratory samples, containers, reagents, and preparation procedures.
What is the readability of the PB1501-S?
The PB1501-S provides 100 mg, or 0.1 g, readability.
How quickly does the PB1501-S stabilize?
Mettler Toledo specifies a typical stabilization time of approximately 1.5 seconds, allowing efficient repetitive weighing.
Does the PB1501-S have internal calibration?
It depends on the exact configuration. The standard PB1501-S uses an external 1000 g adjustment weight, while Mettler Toledo also produced PB1501-S/FACT and approved configurations with an internal adjustment weight. The installed calibration system should therefore be verified for the individual balance.
How large is the PB1501-S weighing pan?
The PB1501-S uses a 180 × 180 mm stainless steel weighing pan, providing convenient space for common laboratory containers and samples.
Can the PB1501-S connect to a printer or computer?
Yes. The balance includes an RS232C interface that can communicate with compatible printers, computers, and other peripheral devices.
Is the PB1501-S an analytical balance?
No. The PB1501-S is a precision or toploading balance with 0.1 g readability. Analytical balances typically provide substantially finer resolution, commonly 0.1 mg.
Is the PB1501-S suitable for routine sample preparation?
Yes. Its combination of 1510 g capacity, 0.1 g readability, rapid stabilization, and a large open weighing pan makes it well suited for routine sample and reagent preparation.
Is the PB1501-S still manufactured?
No. Mettler Toledo discontinued the PB1501-S in January 2006. Refurbished units remain useful for laboratories that need straightforward routine weighing without the cost or complexity of a newer precision balance.
Why purchase a refurbished Mettler Toledo PB1501-S?
A refurbished PB1501-S provides 1510 g capacity, 0.1 g readability, fast stabilization, simple operation, and RS232 connectivity at a lower acquisition cost than comparable new laboratory balances. American Instrument Exchange tests, calibrates, cleans, and refurbishes each balance before shipment and provides a 90-day warranty.
