A&D SK-5000WP Manual, Explained: Setup, Keys, Units, Calibration and Errors

This SK-5000WP manual guide covers setup, keys, units, calibration and errors for the A&D SK-5000WP, an NTEP Class III, NSF washdown scale (11 lb x 0.005 lb) on sale for $233.00 (regular $595.00), in stock.

The A&D SK-5000WP is the 11 lb x 0.005 lb (5000 g x 2 g) model of A&D’s SK-WP series: a compact IP65 washdown portion scale with a 304 stainless steel top housing and platform, NSF 169 and NSF 14159-1 listings, and NTEP Class III approval. A&D writes one manual for the whole SK-WP family, from the 1000 g SK-1000WP to the 30 kg SK-30KWP, so every table mixes in values for models you do not own. This guide keeps only what applies to the SK-5000WP, in the order you will need it, with the codes as they appear on the display. MNM Scales is an authorized A&D Weighing dealer.

A&D SK-5000WP manual: specifications

Item	SK-5000WP
Capacity x readability	5000 g x 2 g; 11 lb x 0.005 lb; 176 oz x 0.1 oz (oz added in NTEP CC revision 98-086A3)
Non-linearity	±4 g
Repeatability	2 g
Calibration weight	5000 g ±0.5 g (not included)
NTEP	Class III, nmax 2500, Certificate of Conformance 98-086A6
Protection	IP65 (dust-tight, protected against water jets) when running on batteries
Display	25 mm (0.98 in) 7-segment LCD, about 10 updates per second
Power	6 D batteries (R20P or LR20, not included) or the A&D AC adapter (not included)
Battery life	About 1200 hours on alkaline cells or 600 hours on manganese cells at 20 °C (68 °F)
Operating range	-10 to 40 °C (14 to 104 °F), less than 85 percent relative humidity
Platform	232 x 192 mm (9.13 x 7.56 in) curved stainless pan
Size and weight	266 x 280 x 146 mm (10.48 x 11.03 x 5.75 in); 2.9 kg (6.4 lb)

Setting up the SK-5000WP

1. Fit the batteries. Unlock and remove the battery cover on the underside, insert six new D batteries (R20P or LR20) with the polarity marks matched, then refit and lock the cover. Do not mix battery types or old and new cells. Press gently: A&D warns that too much force on the platform while you change batteries can damage the scale.
2. Or plug in the adapter. The AC adapter socket is inside the battery compartment. Use only the A&D TB-662 AC adapter (sold separately). With the adapter connected, the scale does not meet IP65, so run it on batteries anywhere it gets washed or splashed.
3. Choose the spot. A firm, level table out of direct sunlight, which A&D says can discolor the housing or cause faults.
4. Level it. Turn the four feet until the bubble in the spirit level is centered. The scale does not weigh accurately when it is not level.
5. Calibrate on first install and after a long move, as described below.

The SK-5000WP keys and display

The NTEP SK-5000WP has three keys on the front panel and a calibration key hidden under a switch cover on the bottom.

Key	What it does
ON/OFF	Turns the scale on and off. At power-on it shows all segments for a few seconds, then 0.
ZERO	Sets the zero point with nothing on the platform.
TARE	Subtracts the weight of a container and turns on the NET indicator.
Calibration key	Under the switch cover on the bottom, about 4 cm deep. Opens calibration mode.

The display shows a STABLE indicator when the reading has settled, a NET indicator when a tare is in use, a ZERO indicator when zero is correct, the polarity and the weighing unit.

If your keypad has RE-ZERO and UNITS keys instead of ZERO and TARE, you have the general-market SK-WP, which A&D covers in a separate manual (1WMPD4000461B). On that version RE-ZERO zeroes and tares, UNITS changes units, and calibration starts by holding RE-ZERO and UNITS while you press ON/OFF.

Weighing, tare and units

1. Press ON/OFF. Wait for 0.
2. Without a container: press ZERO, check the display reads 0, then load the platform and read the weight when the STABLE indicator shows.
3. With a container: press ZERO, place the empty container, wait for STABLE and press TARE. Add the food; the NET indicator shows the reading is net weight.
4. Change the unit: turn the scale off, hold ZERO and press ON/OFF. The scale starts in the other unit (lb or g). From the factory it starts in lb.

The curved stainless pan lets you weigh produce, meat or dough without a container. A&D lists g, oz and lb as the SK-WP’s legal-for-trade units; NTEP added 176 oz x 0.1 oz to the SK-5000WP in revision 98-086A3. Call us if you need ounces and your scale does not show them. For other kitchen stations, see our commercial food scale guide.

Automatic power-off

With the factory setting, the scale turns itself off after about five minutes of a stable reading. To switch the feature off or on, press ON/OFF while holding TARE; the scale stores the setting. To check it, press TARE and ZERO together in weighing mode: poff0 means off, poff1 means on.

SK-5000WP calibration with a 5000 g weight

A&D says calibration may be needed when the scale is first installed, when it is moved a long way, and as local rules require, because gravity changes from place to place and parts shift with use. The SK-5000WP calibrates with a 5000 g weight accurate to ±0.5 g (not included). For weight choice see calibration weight classes and calibration weights; for intervals see how often a scale should be calibrated.

1. Turn the scale on with the platform empty and let it settle in weighing mode.
2. Open the switch cover on the bottom and press the calibration key (about 4 cm deep). The display shows Cal.
3. Zero: press TARE. Cal0 appears. Wait for STABLE and press TARE again. After a few seconds the display shows CalF. To finish with zero only, press ZERO; the scale shows end and goes back to weighing.
4. Span: place the 5000 g weight in the center of the platform. Wait for STABLE and press TARE. The scale shows end and returns to weighing.
5. Remove the weight and check zero and a test load before you put the scale back to work.

Gravity compensation

A&D calibrates the SK-WP at the factory for a gravity value of 9.798 m/s². Without a 5000 g weight, you can enter your local gravity value instead: press the calibration key, press ZERO to show the stored value (for example 979,8), use TARE to change a digit and ZERO to move to the next digit, then hold ZERO until end appears. The manual’s city table does not list Houston, so for a Houston-area scale we recommend calibrating with a weight.

Seal on a trade scale

On an NTEP SK-WP, the calibration switch can be sealed with a wire seal threaded through two plastic locks on the bottom, per the NTEP certificate. If the seal on a scale used for trade is broken, call us: our TDA-registered technicians can calibrate it and reseal it through our legal-for-trade calibration service.

Display codes: e, —– and lb

Display	Meaning	What to do
e	Overload	Take weight off. The SK-5000WP weighs up to 5000 g (11 lb).
—–	Zero is out of range	Clear the platform, check the pan is seated and nothing touches it, then turn the scale off and on.
lb (in place of the weight)	Low battery	Fit six new D batteries of the same type, or run on the AC adapter in a dry area.

If a code will not clear or the reading drifts after calibration, see scale will not zero or keeps drifting or send it to our repair bench.

NTEP approval and the F suffix

The SK-WP series is NTEP Class III on Certificate of Conformance 98-086A6, listed as Active on NCWM’s certificate search on November 3, 2026. The certificate lists the 5000 g waterproof model at 5000 g x 2 g, 11 lb x 0.005 lb and 176 oz x 0.1 oz, with n_max 2500. The September 2, 2025 revision added a new model number suffix F without new testing, so current A&D literature and the certificate show the model as SK-5000WPF. A&D’s SK-WP page lists NTEP and Measurement Canada approval for every SK-WP model except the grams-only SK-5001WP.

For pricing food by weight at a deli, market or farm stand, the scale also has to be placed in service under your state’s rules. Our what is NTEP guide explains the approval, 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.

Other SK-WP capacities

The other SK-WP models use the same keys, codes and calibration steps, with their own calibration weight.

Model	Capacity x readability	Calibration weight
SK-1000WP	1000 g x 0.5 g (2.2 lb x 0.001 lb)	1000 g ±0.1 g
SK-2000WP	2000 g x 1 g (4.4 lb x 0.002 lb)	2000 g ±0.2 g
SK-5000WP	5000 g x 2 g (11 lb x 0.005 lb)	5000 g ±0.5 g
SK-10KWP	10 kg x 0.005 kg (22 lb x 0.01 lb)	10 kg ±1 g
SK-20KWP	20 kg x 0.01 kg (44 lb x 0.02 lb)	20 kg ±2 g

Washing and care

• IP65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets. It applies on battery power with the battery cover locked; it does not apply with the AC adapter connected.
• A&D says to clean the SK-WP with water and to keep chemical solvents off it.
• Do not lift or carry the scale by the platform.
• If the scale will sit unused for a long time, take the batteries out to prevent leaks.
• Keep the load under 5000 g; A&D warns against overloading.

For hose-down or sink washing, compare IP ratings in our washdown scales guide; for full processing lines, see food processing scales.

Calibration, repair and rentals from MNM Scales

• Calibrated before it ships: the 5000 g SK-5000WP is in our 2.2 to 6.2 kg tier: in-house calibration with a certificate is $195 and NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $495. See all tiers on the scale calibration service page and NIST vs in-house certificates.
• Placed in service for trade: for a scale that prices food by weight in Texas, our legal-for-trade calibration service calibrates, seals and places it in service.
• Mail-in calibration: pack the scale with the pan removed and ship it to our shop 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 kitchen, deli and plant scales across the Houston area.
• Repair: load cell, keypad, display and battery-contact 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 find the A&D SK-5000WP manual?

A&D publishes the SK-WP instruction manual, the NTEP manual and the certificate of conformance on its SK-WP series page. One manual covers every SK-WP model, including the SK-5000WP.

How do I calibrate the A&D SK-5000WP?

Press the calibration key under the switch cover on the bottom until Cal shows, press TARE for Cal0, wait for stable and press TARE, then place a 5000 g weight in the center, wait for stable and press TARE. The scale shows end.

What calibration weight does the SK-5000WP use?

A 5000 g weight accurate to plus or minus 0.5 g. It is not included.

How do I switch the SK-5000WP between lb and g?

Turn the scale off, hold ZERO and press ON/OFF. It starts in the other unit. From the factory it starts in lb.

What does lb mean on the SK-5000WP display?

When lb replaces the weight reading, the batteries are low. Fit six new D batteries of the same type.

Is the A&D SK-5000WP NTEP approved?

Yes. It is NTEP Class III on Certificate of Conformance 98-086A6, listed as Active on NCWM, at 5000 g x 2 g, 11 lb x 0.005 lb and 176 oz x 0.1 oz.

Can I wash the SK-5000WP?

Yes. It is IP65, protected against water jets, when it runs on batteries with the battery cover locked. With the AC adapter connected it is not IP65. Clean it with water, not solvents.

Does the SK-5000WP come with batteries or an AC adapter?

No. It runs on six D batteries or the A&D TB-662 AC adapter, and both are not included.