Calibration of an instrument is the process of determining its accuracy. The process involves obtaining a reading from the instrument and measuring its variation from the reading obtained from a standard instrument. Calibration of an instrument also involves adjusting its precision and accuracy so that its readings come in accordance with the established standard.
WHAT IS EQUIPMENT CALIBRATIONS?
Calibration of equipment needs to be carried out on a regular basis. This is because instruments tend to deviate owing to hard operating conditions, mechanical shocks, or exposure to extreme temperature or pressure. Frequency of calibration would depend on the tolerance level. When the objective of the measurement is critical calibration would need to be carried out more frequently and with great accuracy.
TYPES OF CALIBRATIONS
Instrument calibration can be carried out on different types of instruments across sectors. Some of the most frequently performed types of calibration services are:
Pressure Calibration
One of the most frequently performed types of equipment calibration. Under pressure calibration service gas and hydraulic pressure are typically measured across a variety of sectors. Pressure instruments that are frequently calibrated include:
- Analogue Pressure Gauges
- Barometers
- Digital Indicators
- Digital Pressure Gauges
- Test Gauges
- Transmitters
Temperature Calibration
Temperature calibration is carried out in a controlled environment, in all processes where temperature readings play a critical role. Temperature measuring equipment that requires calibration on a periodic basis include:
- Laminar Flowmeters
- Rotometers – Gas and Air
- Thermal Mass Flowmeters
- Turbine Meters
Pipette Calibration
Pipette calibration is essential for laboratories that frequently make use of this measuring instrument. Various types of pipettes are being used in the laboratories such as single-channel and multi-channel manual pipettes and electronic pipettes. When carrying out pipette calibration accuracy and precision of liquid volume, operator training application besides other factors should be carefully considered.
Electrical Calibration
Electrical calibration is required for checking the veracity of electrical instruments across a diverse range of industries. Under electrical calibration elements such as current frequency, resistance and voltage are checked. Instruments that are frequently sent for electrical calibration include:
- Clamp Meters
- Counter timers
- Data Loggers
- Electrical meters
- Insulation Testers
- Loop Testers
- Multi-meters
- Oscilloscopes
- RCD
Mechanical Calibration
Mechanical calibration services are invoked for a range of mechanical instruments. Under this process a number of elements such as mass, force, dimension, angle, volume, flatness, torque, and vibration are calibrated in a temperature-controlled facility. Some of the most frequently tested instruments for mechanical calibration include:
- Accelerometers
- Load Cells & Force Gauges
- Micrometers, Verniers, Height Gauges
- Scales/Balances
- Torque Wrenches & Screwdrivers
- Weight & Mass Sets
Conclusion
Calibration of equipment is not just desirable, but it is rather a necessity. All measuring instruments require calibrations on a periodic basis to ensure they are offering accurate results.
Equipment calibration deals with assessing the accuracy of equipment’s results by measuring the variation against a defined standard to decide upon the relevant correction factors. The equipment is accordingly adjusted to fine tune its performance to tally with accepted standard or specification.
As a leader in Scientific Equipment Repair and Medical Equipment Calibrations, Scientific Instrument Center works with many corporations, universities, and hospitals providing the highest level of laboratory services. Whether we are providing biosafety cabinet calibration or medical equipment calibration, we keep your equipment performing to industry codes and regulations. Feel free to contact us at (614) 771-4700
