What Is Instrument Calibration & Why Is It Needed?

When it comes to measuring in any industry, reliability & precision cannot be overstated. Test and Measuring Instruments are vulnerable to various factors, such as changing ambient conditions. Calibration of the equipment is required to ensure accuracy when constructed, allowing users to have confidence in the subsequent measurement findings.

The quality of measurements has a strong relationship with the quality of final products. A faulty equipment might disrupt the measurement process and represent a safety risk. And that’s why Instrument Calibration is necessary.  Today, we’ll dig deeper into what it is and why it’s necessary for all industries!

What is Instrument Calibration?

Calibration is evaluating or restoring an instrument’s or measuring equipment’s accuracy by comparing it to a known standard to guarantee that it operates safely and efficiently. After calibration, the values at each point of reference of the equipment are calibrated & the standard calibration device must align/be within the authorized resistance/accuracy value for that device to be OK certified.

However, if there is a deviation, the instrumentation engineer performs the necessary adjustment, correction, reset, or repair on the equipment to return it to its normal standard. When the calibration is done, a Calibration Tag is attached to the device. Instrument calibration guarantees that organizations (food processing, environmental, oil and gas, and so on) can prevent false readings in their processes, guaranteeing that the instruments continue to match their manufacturers’ requirements and defined purpose.

Why is Instrument Calibration Important?

Since firms require significant expenditure to establish and maintain calibration programs, why is it a typical (and important) step in many industries? Let’s take a look.

Accuracy 

Calibration of your instruments helps eliminate data collection and analysis errors, assuring measurement accuracy in various environments and conditions.

Reliability

Regular calibration ensures that your instruments are reliable and trustworthy, resulting in consistent results.

Safety

By calibrating your equipment regularly, you may identify potential hazards and use them safely without risking damage or harm.

Compliance

Many firms demand that their instruments be calibrated often to comply with regulations & standards imposed by regulating authorities like the FDA or ISO. It includes medical devices in hospitals & labs, industrial machinery used in manufacturing processes, aircraft components that are rigorously tested before being put into production, and so on.

Instrument Expectancy 

Regular calibration with temperature calibrators or Pressure calibrators can help extend the life of an instrument by recognizing and resolving any wear or damage before it becomes a major issue.

Compared to the costs of legal action for damages that could be filed against you, the costs of right calibration and adjustment are modest. Companies who take their responsibilities seriously and want to build long-term commercial connections must calibrate their equipment regularly. If your instrument is not calibrated, it may void your warranty.

How Often Should You Calibrate Your Instruments?

At its heart, calibration is a method for determining the best approximation of the true value of a measured quantity. There is no way to determine the exact value of a measurement, but it is feasible to come close. This closeness to the truth is what we call accuracy. So, how frequently should you calibrate?

The industry standard for most sectors is to calibrate once a year. As the results of calibration tests become available, you can change the frequency of calibrations and upgrade to more robust measurement devices as needed. Most calibration facilities give customers a calibration tag and a printed calibration certificate to assure quality standards.

How Can Nagman Help In Your Calibration?

The significance of Test and Measuring Instruments calibration cannot be overstated because it is an essential maintenance requirement that should never be overlooked by any organization that uses instruments and machinery. Nagman, an ISO 9001-2015 Certified Company, has a team of professional personnel ready to handle your calibration needs and help protect your business against unanticipated downtime and sudden equipment failure. Need help with your instrument calibration? Looking for a Level Calibration System or Calibration hand pumps? Reach out to us today!