Abstract: A measuring instrument for thermogravimetrically determining the moisture content of a material, which includes a base (12), configured as a balance, with a base surface (22), and a hood (14) pivotably connected to the base. The hood has a weighing chamber lid (50), weighing chamber walls (52-56) and a heating element (44). The hood consists of an electronics module (36) that includes the heating element and an electronic power unit, and of a mechanical module (48) that includes the weighing chamber lid and all of the weighing chamber walls. The mechanical module (48) is rigidly and reversibly coupled to the electronics module so that the heating element, protrudes from a main body (42) of the electronics module and rises through a corresponding opening (58) in the rearward weighing chamber wall (56), with the main body being pivotably connected to the base and surrounding the electronic power unit.

Abstract: A pan lifting device configured to grip a pan of a balance with a positive fit has a pincer-shaped end (12) and a handle (14). A blade-shaped supporting projection (16) of the pan lifting device is configured to accommodate the bottom (28) of the pan and a bent-over beak (18) of the pan lifting device is configured to clamp the rim (30) of the pan.

Abstract: A measuring instrument for thermogravimetrically determining the moisture content of a material, which includes a base (12), configured as a balance, with a base surface (22), and a hood (14) pivotably connected to the base. The hood has a weighing chamber lid (50), weighing chamber walls (52-56) and a heating element (44). The hood consists of an electronics module (36) that includes the heating element and an electronic power unit, and of a mechanical module (48) that includes the weighing chamber lid and all of the weighing chamber walls. The mechanical module (48) is rigidly and reversibly coupled to the electronics module so that the heating element, protrudes from a main body (42) of the electronics module and rises through a corresponding opening (58) in the rearward weighing chamber wall (56), with the main body being pivotably connected to the base and surrounding the electronic power unit.

Abstract: A method for functionally testing a measuring instrument (10) for gravimetrically determining the moisture content of a material. The method includes positioning a sample to be measured (50) on a load receiver (40), heating the sample according to a predefined monotonic heating profile, determining a weight profile of the sample by measuring at least two weight values at different times, at least one of which is measured during the heating, extracting a test value from the determined weight profile, and comparing the test value with a stored reference value. The weight profile is determined by measuring a plurality of weight values at different times during the heating, and the magnitude of the gradient of a straight line segment, which is representative of a characteristic test region (160) of the weight profile, is determined as the test value. The reference value is an expected gradient value for the sample.

Abstract: A pan lifting device configured to grip a pan of a balance with a positive fit has a pincer-shaped end (12) and a handle (14). A blade-shaped supporting projection (16) of the pan lifting device is configured to accommodate the bottom (28) of the pan and a bent-over beak (18) of the pan lifting device is configured to clamp the rim (30) of the pan.