Calibration interval / frequency can vary based on several factors such as application, safety regulations, QA requirements, industry standards, and performance needs. There’s no universal answer, but here are some key points to consider:
- Manufacturer recommendations: Check the manual for the manufacturer’s suggested calibration interval. The manufacturer’s advertised accuracy might well be dependent on the interval between, and quality of calibrations. Critical measurement applications might need more frequent calibration or meet stricter and more complicated adjustment, uncertainty, and PASS/FAIL criteria. A reputable lab like Zedflo will pay close attention to these requirements.
- Per requirements: Many tests are performed in accordance with a standard or procedure which specifically call for test instruments to be certified. Forgot to get your meter calibrated? Then you can’t claim full compliance to the test standard and run the risk of client non-acceptance, and poor quality measurements. Industry standards or client requirements might dictate specific calibration standards like NATA accredited ISO 17025.
- After an abnormal event: If your instrument experiences over-ranging, physical shock or electrical issue, it’s best to calibrate it to ensure its integrity. Even without visible damage, calibration will confirm the accuracy of its measurements.
- Before a major project: For critical measuring projects, ensure your instruments are calibrated beforehand. This is crucial for projects requiring highly accurate measurements, as it ensures the reliability of the results.
- Quality registers: If your business or client maintains a quality register or system like ISO 9001, there may be an expectation for measurements to be made with calibrated instruments at specific intervals.
- Calibration history and analysis: Where you’ve analysed year-to-year calibration performance, and perhaps supplement that with internal checking or quality controls, you might get away with extending the interval between calibrations. Vice versa, if you know an instrument is drifty, you might need to calibrate more frequently to meet required accuracy specs.
- Indication purposes: If an instrument is used only for indication, calibration might seem unnecessary. However, if you have suspicions about measurements, calibration ensures continued confidence in its use.
By considering these points, you can determine the appropriate calibration frequency for your instruments.
