Calibration is the process through which instruments are adjusted to match accepted measurement standards set by the manufacturer. This is done by comparing the equipment’s actual output to the accepted and expected output. This calibration process ensures precision and accuracy.
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Calibrating instruments measure the reading, or output, of a device and compare it to the standard it is designed to match. This standard is set by the industry or device manufacturer. When a margin of error is calculated and verified, adjustments and repairs can be made to make the component's output identical to the established industrial standard set by the manufacturer. Depending on the size and accessibility to the device needing calibration it may require a field visit by a technician or can be sent off-site to a calibration laboratory. Calibration procedures and processes are used industrially, commercially and residentially. Virtually any device that has an output standard, from gas and electric meters to heavy duty industrial equipment, requires equipment calibration. Calibration services are used for quality control and quality assurance programs, also set forth by the manufacturer and applied by the industry using the equipment.
Many sources are available that list standardized values and precision levels for materials and components of electronic instruments. Regular calibration is important because it is vital to the success of the application and company to have cost effective equipment and high-quality output. In the United States, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is the authority on measurement standards. This organization improves the daily lives of those who benefit from calibration through innovation that enhances quality of life and economic growth. Because these standards of accuracy and precision are essential to the performance of measurement tools and devices in many industries, regular calibration is necessary to maintain quality standards. Equipment calibration should cost ten percent of the total cost of the original equipment purchase annually.
