Calibration of your measuring instruments has two objectives. It checks the accuracy of the instrument and it determines the traceability of the measurement. The primary significance of calibration is that it maintains accuracy, standardization and repeatability in measurements, assuring reliable benchmarks and results. Without regular calibration, equipment can fall out of spec, provide inaccurate measurements and threaten quality, safety and equipment longevity. . In practice, calibration also includes repair of the device if it is out of calibration. A report is provided by the calibration expert, which shows the error in measurements with the measuring device before and after the calibration. Hidden costs and risks associated with a non-calibrated measuring device could be much higher than the cost of calibration. Calibration is extremely important whenever measurements are critical. Therefore, it is recommended that the measuring instruments are calibrated regularly to ensure that errors associated with the measurements are in the acceptable range.
What is calibration?
Calibration is the process of comparing measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a standard of known accuracy. Largely, calibration also includes the process of adjusting the output delivered by the measurement device to align with the value of the applied standard of known accuracy. The measurement device should be reconfigured when measurements deviate from the set value of the known standard. Most often, the accuracy of the known standard or ‘Master’ measurement should be 10x greater than that of the measuring device being calibrated. However, organizational standards typically accept an accuracy ratio of 3:1. By process, calibration also includes repair of the device if it is out of calibration. For external calibration services, a report is generally provided by the calibration service, which would show any errors in measurements with the measuring device before and after the calibration. Depending on your application, calibration verification could be an option to verify instruments by comparing measurements using calibrated equipment to measurements of equipment that has had their calibration expire. Expired Calibrated Instruments that do not produce the same measurements as the Calibrated Instruments would need to be sent to a calibration service expert for repair.
Why is calibration so important?
Calibration is important because it helps ensure accurate measurements, and accurate measurements are foundational to the quality, safety and innovation of most products and services we use and rely on every day. Few people realize the critical role and importance of calibration in their daily lives. But calibration improves assurance of precise measurements required in research, development, and innovation, as well as the production of millions of products and services worldwide. Pause and look around your room right now; most of what you see was produced within tight measurement specifications assured by calibration
What is calibration of test equipment?
Test equipment calibration is important for maintaining consistency in testing applications, which ultimately impacts manufacturing consistency and product quality. Calibrating test equipment is also important for product safety and preventing defects that result in costly production delays or product failure and recalls.
Why do we calibrate test equipment?
It is important to calibrate equipment to help assure accurate measurements and production of quality products with reduced errors and recalls. It is also important to calibrate equipment to foster innovation and the development of new technologies, as accurate measurements are foundational to both.