No matter how accurate a piece of electronic equipment is, its tolerances will drift over time, skewing results and necessitating periodic calibration. Electronic calibration is the process of verifying the performance of a device that measures electrical parameters, such as:
The electronic calibration process is accomplished by comparing the output with a known calibrated standard of reference.
Calibrating electrical devices is beneficial for the following reasons:
Tolerance drift is inevitable for any electronic measuring equipment. While drift can be minimized with high-quality equipment and proper usage, it cannot be eliminated. Drift minimizes the accuracy of the equipment’s results over time, adversely affecting industries like medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, aerospace, automotive, food and beverage and energy that rely on precise measurements in their daily operations.
Inaccurate readings in any of these industries can have far-reaching repercussions for productivity and safety, which is why electronic calibration must be performed frequently, regularly and accurately. Maintaining a strict calibration schedule ensures that the equipment performs per its specifications, avoids inaccurate measurements and guarantees repeatable results.
The electronic calibration of aerospace devices is vital in ensuring the safety of crew and passengers. Calibration also enables safety-critical equipment in health care, biotechnology and other industries to function properly, minimizing risk for all involved parties.
Frequently calibrating electronic equipment reduces the risk of costly production errors, minimizes waste and maximizes efficiency. It also lengthens the life span of equipment and delays replacements, saving your business money.
Regulators require different sectors to follow certain electrical calibration guidelines. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the routine calibration of devices that generate, measure and assess data. By regularly calibrating your equipment, your company can remain compliant and avoid penalties.
Accurate equipment can help your company meet quality control standards, avoiding product reworks, rejections and recalls. In return, you can keep operational costs low, satisfy customers and maintain a competitive market advantage.
Here are some of the different types of electronic measuring tools that need regular calibration:
Technicians use different calibration techniques for these electrical measuring tools to produce industry-accepted tolerances.
As previously mentioned, electronic calibration works by comparing a device’s output with calibrated known reference standards. However, this is a highly simplified explanation of the process. Calibration involves a series of intricate and meticulous processes specific to the instrument that needs to be calibrated. Some of the resources that must be involved in this process include:
A calibration period is the amount of time after calibration is performed so that the device’s results can be trusted as accurate. Once this period ends, the accuracy of a device’s output is no longer guaranteed.
For most electrical equipment, the calibration period ranges from six to 24 months. The calibration period for a specific instrument will vary based on its type, age, how often it is used and the environmental conditions where it is used and stored. Some manufacturers of electrical equipment may have different specifications depending on the calibration period used.
To maximize the accuracy of results, facilities using electronic instruments must schedule calibration services with professionals according to their calibration periods. This way, facilities can address calibration problems proactively.
Consider Garber Metrology if you need reliable electronic calibration services. We are ISO 9001 Registered by NQA and ISO/IEC 17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 Accredited by ANAB.
We serve various industries, such as food, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, aerospace, defense, medical and energy. Our highly-trained and experienced calibration technicians deliver fast turnaround times to minimize your company’s downtime. They work on a wide range of equipment and perform calibrations in accredited laboratories. We can pick up your equipment locally, make an on-site visit or you can ship it to us.
Learn more about our calibration services, or contact us to request a quote.
