The Purpose Of Calibration

To ensure accurate measurements in every industry, calibration is an essential service for all measurement technology, as it verifies that measurements fit an agreed-upon standard. Calibration involves using calibration standards, which are measurement tools that provide a known, accurate reference, to take a measurement. The device being calibrated, known as the device under test, is then compared side-by-side with the calibration standard to verify its accuracy.

The primary purpose of calibration is to test the accuracy of a measurement instrument. This is crucial as it ensures that instruments like multimeters provide accurate readings of voltage or resistance, preventing needless mistakes by technicians. Additionally, calibration provides guidelines for repairing instruments that are out of calibration by exposing how the measurement is off. When instruments have measurement errors, it’s necessary to use the service of a calibration lab for proper calibration.

How Calibration Works

In order to test the accuracy of instruments like multimeters, we use a calibration standard that is more precise than the device being tested. Ideally, the standard should be three to ten times more accurate than the device under test.

Since we need to ensure the accuracy of the calibration standard itself, we must calibrate it as well. The calibration standard is then used as the device under test, and its accuracy is verified by comparing it to another, even more precise calibration standard. This process continues as we move up towards the top tier of calibration, which is performed by select companies, including some OEMs and government agencies.

Calibration Reasons And Results

Measurement instruments play a crucial role in checking and measuring production processes, making them the lifeblood of your company. They are responsible for ensuring the quality of your products, which ultimately determines the success and profitability of your business.

Regular calibration of your instruments using traceable calibration equipment is essential, especially if you have ISO 9000 certification. This ensures that your quality consistently meets the customer’s expectations. Through regular calibration, you can achieve the following benefits:

  • Ensuring consistent quality of your production output
  • Lowering operating costs by increasing reliability
  • Gaining optimal access to international markets
  • Establishing a quality system
  • Addressing quality audit and reviews
  • Maintaining quality specifications
  • Meeting production control criteria
  • Measuring inspection and testing results
  • Establishing calibration traceability