A&D EK-600i Manual, Explained: Setup, Units, Counting and Calibration

By MNM Scales · Last updated November 2, 2026

The A&D EK-600i is a 600 g x 0.1 g compact balance with NTEP Class III approval, a 133 x 170 mm stainless pan, a backlit display, RS-232C and external calibration. A&D writes one instruction manual for the whole EK-i and EW-i family, so EK-600i owners have to pick their numbers out of shared tables. Below are the EK-600i figures from that manual, with the display messages exactly as the balance shows them. MNM Scales is an authorized A&D Weighing dealer.

EK-600i manual at a glance: specifications

Item	EK-600i
Capacity x readability	600 g x 0.1 g
Repeatability (standard deviation)	0.1 g
Linearity	±0.1 g
Sensitivity drift	±20 ppm per °C (10 to 30 °C)
Stabilization time	About 2 seconds
Counting	Samples of 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 pieces; up to 6000 pieces; minimum unit weight 0.1 g
Percent mode	Minimum reference (100 percent) weight 10 g; readings to 0.1 percent
Display	Backlit 7-segment LCD, 16 mm characters, 10 updates per second
Pan and weight	133 x 170 mm (5.2 x 6.7 in) stainless pan; balance about 1.3 kg
Power	AC adapter, or the EKW-09i rechargeable battery pack (not included)
Operating range	-10 to 40 °C (14 to 104 °F), under 85 percent relative humidity, no condensation; the NTEP certificate lists 5 to 40 °C (41 to 104 °F) for trade use
NTEP	Class III, nmax 6000, d = 0.1 g (CC 04-019A4)
Calibration weight (factory setting)	600 g, external; the value can be changed

Setting up the EK-600i

1. Check the box: balance, pan, pan support, AC adapter and instruction manual. The battery pack, printer, RS-232C cable and calibration weight are not included unless ordered. Keep the box and foam for mail-in service.
2. Pick the spot: a firm, level counter or bench away from drafts, vents, direct sun, vibration and magnetic fields. A fan or door near a register shows up in the 0.1 g digit.
3. Let it acclimate: a balance that arrived from a hot or cold delivery van should reach room temperature before you switch it on.
4. Fit the pan support and the rectangular pan, then turn the leveling feet until the bubble in the spirit level is centered.
5. Power it: plug in the AC adapter and press ON/OFF. The display shows all segments, then 0.0 g.
6. Warm up for 30 minutes, then calibrate; the steps are in the EK-600i calibration section below.

Keys and the function menu

Key	When weighing	In the function menu
ON/OFF	Power on or off	–
MODE	Steps through the stored units, pcs and percent	Returns to weighing
SAMPLE	Starts sample storing in pcs or percent; hold to open func	Moves to the next item
PRINT	Sends the reading to a printer or PC	Stores the setting
RE-ZERO	Zeroes the display or tares a container	Changes the value

Hold SAMPLE until func appears to reach settings such as Cond (response speed), st-b (stability band), trc (zero tracking), poff (auto power-off), ltUp (backlight), prt and bps (data output). The full menu table, item by item, is in our EK-1200i manual guide; the EK-600i menu is the same. A&D notes that some functions are not available on legally certified models and after the CAL switch is sealed.

Weighing units on the EK-600i

Unit	Display	EK-600i capacity x readability
Gram	g	600.0 x 0.1 g
Ounce (avoir)	oz	21.165 x 0.005 oz
Pound	lb	1.3230 x 0.0005 lb
Troy ounce	ozt	19.290 x 0.005 ozt
Metric carat	ct	3000.0 x 0.5 ct
Momme	mom	160.00 x 0.05 mom
Pennyweight	dwt	385.8 x 0.1 dwt
Grain	GN	9260 x 2 GN

Store only the units you use: hold SAMPLE until func shows, press SAMPLE until Unit appears and press PRINT. Press SAMPLE to step to a unit and RE-ZERO to store it; repeat for each unit you use, then press PRINT (end, then id) and MODE to return to weighing. The balance starts with the first unit you stored. The units available on your balance are set at the factory. For conversions on paperwork, use our grain to gram converter.

Counting parts on the EK-600i

1. Press MODE until pcs shows, then press SAMPLE.
2. Press SAMPLE again to choose 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 pieces.
3. Set a cup or tray on the pan if you use one and press RE-ZERO so the display shows zero beside the sample size.
4. Count that many pieces onto the pan and press PRINT to store the unit weight; remove them.
5. Load the parts to count and read the piece count.

• On the EK-600i the smallest unit weight is 0.1 g and the maximum count is 6000 pieces, which suits beads, findings, labels, screws and small hardware.
• If the sample is light, the balance asks for more pieces with a prompt such as 25 -; add that many and press PRINT. lo means the unit weight is too light to store.
• ACAI (aCai) refines the unit weight when you add a few more pieces and wait for the ACAI mark to go out; leave the pan alone while it blinks.
• For parts lighter than 0.1 g each, the 0.01 g A&D EK-610i counts to 0.01 g per piece. For high-volume counting, see our counting scale buying guide.

Percent mode and the HI/OK/LO comparator

Percent mode reads a load against a reference you store as 100 percent. Press MODE to the percent display, press SAMPLE, press RE-ZERO, place the reference and press PRINT. On the EK-600i the reference must weigh at least 10 g, and readings show to 0.1 percent. The comparator (Cp, CpHi, Cplo and bep in the function menu) shows HI, OK or LO against your limits for fill checks, portion checks and package checks.

RS-232C, printer and PC

• The port is a 9-pin D-Sub; use a straight-through cable to a PC (cable not included).
• Match bps (baud rate) and btpr (data bits and parity) to the other device, and choose the output with prt: on command, PRINT key, auto print on a stable load, or stream.
• An A&D AD-8121 printer (not included) needs pUse set to 1 for its 1.6-second pause.
• For a USB-only computer, A&D lists the AX-USB-1920-9P USB to 9-pin RS-232 converter (not included). See connecting a scale to a computer by USB or RS-232.

Power: AC adapter and battery pack

• The EK-600i ships with its AC adapter; use the adapter supplied for the EK-i series.
• For cordless work add the EKW-09i rechargeable battery pack (not included). It fits the option slot on the back, the same slot the comparator relay option uses, so you fit one or the other.
• Charge the pack with the AC adapter connected and the balance off; a full charge takes about 15 hours, and a new pack may need two or three charges to reach full capacity.
• Battery run time depends on the backlight and use, so set ltUp to a short timeout and turn on poff. Recharge or plug in when lb0 appears.
• Keep the adapter cord out of foot traffic; cut or pinched cords are a frequent repair. See replacing a scale cable.

EK-600i error messages

Display	Meaning	What to do
E	Overload (over 600 g)	Remove the load
-E	Strong upward force on the sensor	Check for anything caught around the pan
error5	Unexpected load	Clear the pan and check that the pan and support are seated
lo	Unit or 100 percent weight too light	Use more pieces (0.1 g minimum unit) or a reference of 10 g or more
Cal E / -Cal E	Calibration weight too heavy / too light	Check the weight and the value you entered; press MODE
error1	Reading never settles	Stop drafts and vibration; press MODE
lb0	Battery pack discharged	Recharge or use the AC adapter
Hb1	AC adapter voltage too high	Use the correct EK-i adapter

If error2, error3, error4 or error6 returns after a power cycle with an empty pan, send it to our repair bench. Other brands’ codes are in our scale error codes guide, and drifting readings in scale will not zero or keeps drifting.

EK-600i calibration: 600 g factory value, more than 400 g

The EK-600i calibrates with an external weight. A&D calls for calibration when the balance is first used, after a move, when the room changes and on a regular schedule. The CAL switch is the push-button on the back behind a small access plate, the same as on the EK-1200i in our EK-i calibration guide. For balances that carry their own internal mass, see internal vs external calibration balances.

1. Warm up for at least 30 minutes with nothing on the pan.
2. Hold the CAL switch until Cal appears, then release it; the display shows Cal 0.
3. To use a weight other than 600 g, press SAMPLE: SAMPLE picks the digit, RE-ZERO sets it, PRINT stores the new value. The value stays in memory after power-off.
4. With the pan empty, press PRINT to weigh zero; do not touch the pan. The display then shows the calibration value; to stop after the zero calibration only, press MODE here.
5. Place the weight that matches the displayed value in the center of the pan and press PRINT. When end appears, remove the weight and press CAL or MODE to return to weighing.

A&D asks for a weight of more than 2/3 of capacity, so use more than 400 g on the EK-600i. A 500 g weight works after you set the value to 500.0 g; a 500 g plus 100 g combination matches the 600 g factory value. Our calibration weight classes guide explains which class suits a 0.1 g balance, our calibration weights guide covers buying and care, and we stock calibration weights. Afterward, check a light load and one near 600 g; our how often should a scale be calibrated guide helps set a schedule.

Trade use: NTEP CC 04-019A4 lists a Category 1 physical seal for the EK-i. A balance in trade use is sealed, so calibration means breaking the seal; our TDA-registered technicians calibrate it and place it back in service.

The EK-600i next to the EK-610i, EK-1200i and EK-2000i

Model (our listing)	Capacity x readability	Max. count	Linearity	Pan	NTEP (CC 04-019A4)
EK-600i	600 g x 0.1 g	6000 pcs	±0.1 g	133 x 170 mm	Class III
EK-610i	600 g x 0.01 g	60,000 pcs	±0.02 g	110 mm round	–
EK-1200i	1200 g x 0.1 g	12,000 pcs	±0.1 g	133 x 170 mm	Class II
EK-2000i	2000 g x 0.1 g	20,000 pcs	±0.1 g	133 x 170 mm	–

Pick the EK-600i for trade weighing up to 600 g in 0.1 g steps on a rectangular pan. The EK-610i reads ten times finer for small samples, and the EK-1200i and EK-2000i add capacity. The EK-i series guide lists every model, and EK-1200i vs EK-610i compares those two.

Selling by weight with the NTEP Class III EK-600i

A&D’s EK-i series holds NTEP Certificate of Conformance 04-019A4, listed as Active on NCWM’s certificate search on November 2, 2026. It lists the EK-600i at 600 g, n_max 6000 and d = 0.1 g in accuracy Class III, the class for general commercial weighing. Class II covers precious metals and gems; for buying or selling gold, silver or stones by weight, choose the NTEP Class II A&D EK-1200i and see our legal for trade jewelry scale guide. Our what is NTEP guide explains the classes, and our free legal-for-trade scale checker helps decide whether your use is trade.

Texas note: TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. See TDA’s scales used in trade guidance (PDF) and our TDA scale certification guide, or call us or TDA to confirm your use.

Who uses the EK-600i

• Retail counters: selling bulk goods such as spices, tea, candy and craft supplies by weight on an NTEP Class III balance.
• Jewelry and craft benches: weighing beads, findings and repair stock for inventory and job records.
• Packing and shipping benches: checking small parcels and kits against HI/OK/LO limits before they go out.
• Labs and schools: general weighing and teaching labs that need 0.1 g up to 600 g on a small footprint.

Setup tips from our technicians

• Our TDA-registered technicians recalibrate after every move; a new counter changes readings, even at 0.1 g.
• Raise Cond one step under an air vent instead of chasing a wandering last digit.
• Use a light cup or tray and tare it; a heavy dish eats into the 600 g capacity.
• Place the customer’s item where they can see the display, and keep the balance level after cleaning the counter.
• Wipe the pan with a damp cloth and mild detergent; skip solvents on the housing.

Common mistakes we see

• Calibrating with a 200 g weight; the EK-600i needs more than 400 g.
• Changing the calibration value and forgetting it stays in memory, so the next person uses the wrong weight.
• Breaking the seal on a trade balance to calibrate it in-house instead of booking a registered technician.
• Using the Class III EK-600i to buy gold or silver, where Class II applies.
• Weighing before the 30-minute warm-up is over.

Browse all A&D precision balances.

Calibration, repair and rentals from MNM Scales

• Book calibration: the EK-600i is in our up-to-2.2 kg tier: in-house calibration with a certificate is $95 and NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $395. See our balance calibration service in Houston, all tiers on the scale calibration service page, and NIST vs in-house certificates.
• Mail-in calibration: pack the balance in its original box and foam and ship it with the mail-in calibration service.
• Cypress pickup by appointment: drop off or pick up at our Cypress, TX shop (21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433).
• On-site service: on-site calibration is $295 plus $2 per mile, round trip, once per visit, plus the calibration fee for each scale. Our TDA-registered technicians calibrate balances at retail counters, labs and packing rooms across the Houston area.
• Repair: display, keypad, adapter and load cell problems go to our scale repair bench.
• Rentals: we rent all types of scales; ask about a scale rental while yours is in for service.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I download the A&D EK-600i manual?

A&D publishes the EK-i/EW-i instruction manual, which covers the EK-600i, on its EK-600i product page. This guide collects the EK-600i numbers from it.

How do I calibrate the EK-600i?

Warm it up for 30 minutes, hold the CAL switch until Cal appears and release it. At Cal 0, press PRINT with the pan empty, place the 600 g weight (or the value you set) and press PRINT. When end appears, remove the weight and press CAL or MODE.

What weight do I need to calibrate the EK-600i?

The factory value is 600 g. A&D asks for more than 2/3 of capacity, so any weight over 400 g works once you enter its value at Cal 0 with the SAMPLE key; a 500 g weight set to 500.0 g is a common choice.

Is the A&D EK-600i NTEP approved?

Yes. NTEP CC 04-019A4, Active on NCWM, lists the EK-600i at 600 g, nmax 6000 and d = 0.1 g in Class III. For precious metals and gems, choose the NTEP Class II A&D EK-1200i.

How do I change units on the EK-600i?

Press MODE to step through the stored units. To choose which units are stored, hold SAMPLE until func appears, go to Unit, press PRINT, turn units on or off with SAMPLE and RE-ZERO and store with PRINT.

What is the smallest part the EK-600i can count?

The minimum unit weight is 0.1 g at the factory setting, and the balance counts up to 6000 pieces from samples of 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100.

Can the EK-600i run on a battery?

Yes, with the EKW-09i rechargeable battery pack, which is not included. It charges in about 15 hours with the AC adapter connected and the balance off.

What does Cal E mean on the EK-600i?

Cal E means the calibration weight was too heavy for the value set, and -Cal E means it was too light. Check the weight and the value, then press MODE and start again.