4 Different Scopes of Calibration

Calibration is required as a precondition for a quality management system. Despite its growing importance, calibration as a practice is still uncommon to most people not only in Kenya but around the world. In this article, we shall expound on calibration by providing a detailed definition and the existing types of calibration.

Calibration can be defined as the comparison between a known standard of measurement and the measurement unit under test. In quality management, calibration is used to measure the accuracy of the equipment and ensures traceability of the measurement results. In instances where the measurement result of an equipment is out of tolerance, adjustment or sometimes repair can be done. While it is mostly done using a lab setup, calibration can also be conducted on-site especially for process equipment such as pressure gauges, temperature sensing probes, and temperature indicators. There are different parameters that can be calibrated across a wide range of industries. Below are some of the most common scopes of calibration that are common in Kenya today:

Temperature Calibration

Temperature calibration refers to the process in which the output of a temperature measuring device is compared to that of a calibration standard over a range of temperatures (CI). Temperature calibration is important because it ensures the equipment under test gives traceable results. Some of the temperature devices that need to be regularly calibrated include thermometers, infrared meters, thermal cameras, temperature indicators, thermocouples, dry wells, among many others.

Pressure Calibration

Just like temperature in temperature calibration, pressure calibration seeks to compare the output of an instrument used for measuring pressure with a pressure measurement standard. Pressure calibration ensures that your instruments are giving accurate measurements. Examples of pressure measuring devices include pressure gauges, barometers, transmitters and test gauges.

Electrical Calibration

Electrical calibration ensure that electrical measuring devices are operating within credible results. This calibration service is used to measure common electrical parameters such as resistance, voltage, current, inductance and frequency. A wide range of electrical equipment can be calibrated. Examples include digital multimeters, clamp meters, power & energy loggers, insulation testers and loop testers.

Mechanical Calibration

All mechanical equipment age over time and critical parts may sustain wear and tear in the end. Although it may be difficult to eliminate drift, periodic calibration can help in detecting such faults. Examples of parameters that are calibrated during mechanical calibration include mass, force, torque, vibration, size, angle, and flatness. These parameters are calibrated in mechanical instruments such as torque wrenches, accelerometers, load cells, scales, and mass sets.

Although these are the major types of calibration, there are other not-so-common types of calibration that are conducted on different equipment across a wide range of industries. In most cases, more than one calibration technique may be performed on an instrument to ensure it is working at optimal levels.

At Amotech Africa, we take pride in being a leading provider of calibration services in Kenya and across the region. From mechanical calibration to electrical calibration, you can trust us in ensuring that industry defined standards are met, and the equipment is providing accurate measurements.