How Often Is Calibration required?

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There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how often calibration is needed, because the instruments, environments, and applications being calibrated may often change in different conditions. Test instrument manufacturers recommend calibration intervals for typical conditions. Extreme conditions and very critical measurements may require more frequent calibration.

The following are some general calibration categories:

1. Perform routine calibration according to customer contract, quality standard organization, military specifications or other industry requirements. Before testing, it is necessary to check applicable requirements to ensure that the calibration or certification requirements of the test equipment are met.

2. Before and after the main project measurement.
   For example, when the trial production of a new product is completed, the design engineer will characterize the product to ensure that it meets specifications and optimize the testing process.
   The final test adjustments made here can greatly reduce test time and affect profitability. A complete and reliable test requires that the state of the instrument be verified before and after the test period.

3. When you suspect a measurement error or the instrument is overloaded or dropped. It is important to check calibration and safety fidelity (for example, the measurement may drop because a wire in the test device is shorted).

Accurate calibration is not an unnecessary luxury, it can ensure the reliability of your test equipment and even the safety of personnel. For example, before operating a piece of equipment, it may be necessary to measure the meter’s voltage to be safe. If the meter is damaged or the information it displays is incorrect, it may cause injury or death. In addition, calibration can ensure quality. It guarantees accurate test results necessary to verify that products in final test and shipped to customers indeed meet specification.

To learn more about calibration, please check out some of our other posts on calibration below:

Calibration and Calibration Certificates

When should you calibrate your equipment? While there is no standard for how often you need your equipment calibrated, most people use their best judgment. Do you have an important project coming up where your measurements must be accurate? Then my suggestion would be to calibrate it before you start. Otherwise, Annually or Bi-annually works for most people. If you only use your multimeter to check standard voltages for example, “I need this output to be 24V. Yep, its 24V.”, then you can calibr…

Desco Industries and SCS Calibration

All of the equipment that is calibrated from Desco Industries comes with a Certificate of Calibration. Desco’s NIST traceable calibration consists of: • A product that is calibrated to meet Desco’s published specifications • A printed certificate is provided stating that Desco uses accepted procedures and standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology • A calibration certificate will normally consist of a model number, serial number, date, and the signature of the t…

Sensirion Sensor Calibration

All Sensirion sensors are calibrated before they are shipped out. Some of the sensors such as carbon dioxide sensors are sensitive and can come under mechanical stress during handling and can offset the sensor. To offset this, apply the Forced Recalibration (FRC) or Automatic Self Calibration (ASC). Ideally, a sensor calibration is performed after sensor installation, to compensate for potential mechanical stress during installation. Calibration certificates can be found in the Download Center. …

Calibration Certificates for Meters and Tools

When ordering meters and tools, most of DigiKey’s off the shelf stock do not have calibration certificates. If you are in need of a certificate, you will want to state that at the time you order the product so the certificate can be supplied along with the item direct from the manufacturer. This may result in an additional charge and lead time for the item. If you already have a tool or meter that needs calibration, you will need to send that to an independent certified calibration service.

Test Equipment Calibration Service Providers

NIST stands for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, they’re a non-regulatory government body under the Department of Commerce that sets national measurement standards within the United States. Depending upon a company’s quality procedures a NIST Traceable Certificate of Calibration may be needed to be done periodically for test and laboratory equipment. At other times a higher level of testing, such as an ISO 17025 test and calibration might be required, depending upon how cri…

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Additional Information

Each FLIR camera model requires a unique calibration procedure, with calibration constants and related functionality stored in a camera’s firmware. Our Standard Calibration service provides assurance that a customer’s camera meets its published calibration and accuracy specifications. To ensure accuracy, this service utilizes traceable reference standards maintained by the SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). A Standard Calibration certificate/statement is provided with most new cameras and all service calibrated cameras. This economical calibration service is recommended for customers that do not require detailed before and after measurement data.