Today, calibration is often used in research laboratories to ensure accurate data. But what is calibration, how does it work, and why does it matter? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you run a better, more accurate laboratory. Whether you are new to research or have been researching for years, read on to learn more about Calibration.
Calibrate Definition:
First, let’s understand the word “calibrate”. The word has a few different meanings, depending on its context.
In the context of laboratory research, it typically means adjusting or standardizing your equipment so it can be more precise. This can include marking the graduations on a measuring device, or figuring out how much an instrument deviates from the standard and adjusting for that difference.
What is Calibration?
Basically, calibration compares a standard measurement to the measurement taken using your instrument. The accuracy of your instrument will be somewhat different from the accuracy of the standard. Standards organizations set acceptable accuracy ratios, and your instrument will need to measure up to the requirements.
Most of the time, calibration also includes adjusting your instrument as needed to meet the standards. Technically, though, you could separate the processes into “calibration” and “adjustment.” Calibrations work differently for different instruments. For example, calibrating a thermometer works differently from calibrating a sensor. To calibrate your instruments, you’ll need to send them away from the lab to get looked at by calibration experts. They can also make the necessary adjustments to your research tools. They’ll send the device back with a report to show you the measurement errors they found, and the reduced errors after calibration.
Why Calibration Matters?
The top four reasons why calibration matters. Below highlights each points:
Saves Money
Calibration reduces errors that can get costly in the long run. Those errors can happen whether your facility is a research lab or a manufacturer or goods. For example, manufacturers who don’t calibrate equipment will end up with errors that create unusable parts. Research labs that don’t calibrate can end up with meaningless results because they were based on inaccurate measurements.
When you don’t calibrate, you’ll often have to halt and restart processes when inaccuracies are discovered. The longer it takes for those inaccuracies to get noticed, the more costly the mistake will be. But if you always calibrate, you won’t have these problems.
Improves Safety
Safety becomes very important in certain labs. You might be working with potentially dangerous materials or creating solutions for medical purposes. In these cases, small inaccuracies can have large consequences.
Maybe you’re measuring electric currents or mixing volatile chemicals. Small changes to the numbers can quickly put your staff in danger. Calibration allows you to get reliable numbers for improved safety.
Gets You Certified
You’ll need calibration to get certified in a lot of industries. You might need 17025 certifications from regulatory bodies in order to do certain tasks, for example.
Even if you don’t need certification, calibration is still important for the reliable results it gives. Your reputation for research or results will quickly suffer if you work with equipment that’s not calibrated.
Keeps Instruments Working Longer
Over time, the accuracy of any measuring device goes down. Some instruments degrade more quickly than others. The environment where you use the equipment can also affect how quickly it degrades.
When you calibrate your equipment, you set it back to the original standard, so you can keep using it. The device that’s giving inaccurate readings probably doesn’t need to be replaced – it just needs calibration.
Different Types of Calibration :
Now, let’s look at some of the most common types of calibration you might have to use.
Temperature Calibration
Temperature calibration is essential in industries such as: food and beverage, meteorology, automotive, aerospace, industrial cleaning, laboratory, research, chemical processing, healthcare, and manufacturing. People in these industries use temperature calibration at various points in the life of a system or instrument.
For example, system operators typically calibrate their temperature sensing devices when they first install it. Many system operators also check calibrate their devices from time to time to make sure that they have not become inaccurate. Inaccurate readings can occur as a result of jarring events like vibration and shock. In addition, they use temperature calibration when their devices offer up an unlikely or problematic reading.
If you work with Vacuum drying ovens, Laboratory Furnaces , Biosafety Cabinets, Ultra Low Freezers and other devices that work with temperature, you’ll need to get them calibrated. This type of calibration needs to happen in a controlled environment, so outside changes can’t affect the results.
Pressure
Transmitters, test gauges, and barometers may all need pressure calibration. In this process, the spectrum of hydraulic and gas pressure gets measured. The equipment usually needs to get calibrated to a national or international standard.
Mechanical
Mechanical calibration calibrates for factors like force, mass, vibration, or torque. For example, you might need to get a scale calibrated to measure weight accurately. Torque wrenches, micrometers, and balances can also need this kind of calibration.
Electrical
Devices that measure frequency, voltage, or resistance will need electrical calibration. The equipment that might need electrical calibration can include clamp meters, data loggers and insulation testers.
In addition to these common calibration types, you might need to get many different implements calibrated in different ways. Each calibration type involves using different methods to get results.
When Should You Calibrate Your Equipment?
You should set up a regular calibration interval for your Laboratory equipment. The length of time between calibration can depend on how the equipment gets used, and how quickly its accuracy degrades.
If there’s a major event that can affect accuracy, like an electric shock, you should always calibrate your equipment. Don’t forget to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for calibration, too.
Finding the Best Temperature Calibration Services
Where you get your Laboratory or industrial equipment calibrated matters. You need accuracy and results that meet proper ISO 17025 accredited calibration standards.
Calibrating lab equipment is essential to operational success, helping keep your machines and instruments in excellent form, prevent delays, and reduce your operating expenses for the long term.
To ensure the proper calibration of your lab equipment, seek expert calibration services from Across International. We’re an ISO 17025-accredited calibration and testing laboratory that offers on-site thermal calibration for refrigerators, freezers, ovens, furnaces, and other lab equipment.
We ensure that each machine and instrument is on par with industry standards to deliver accurate results for your lab. Request a quote for our calibration services.
