Calibration Services Types and Terms

  • Calibration is the process through which instruments are adjusted to match measurement standards.
  • Calibration laboratories are companies that provide calibration services.
  • Equipment calibration is the process through which pieces of equipment are adjusted for precision.
  • Fiber optic calibration is calibration that measures light, such as optical power meters. Special devices that measure optic ranges are used in the calibration of fiber optic equipment.
  • Hardness testing is a type of calibration that tests the hardness and/or tensile strength of an object.
  • Humidity calibration involves the temporary installment of humidity transmitters into a climate chamber. Humidity calibration involves visual control of the dew point mirror which may need cleaning; air, nitrogen, helium and another non-explosive gas may be used during the calibration process.
  • Instrument calibration is the process through which instruments are adjusted for precision.
  • Load cell calibration is the process of making the measurements of force, torque and weight as accurate as possible for the load cell. Much of this calibration is done via computer program.
  • Pressure calibration is the testing of pressure instrumentation, such as vacuum wrappers and sealers, for accuracy.
  • Speedometer calibration is the process of adjusting speedometers to match standards.
  • Temperature calibration is needed for all devices that monitor and use variance of temperature. Medical devices, industrial ovens and commercial refrigeration units are examples of devices that require accurate temperature reading and output.

Accuracy - A tolerance limit that defines the deviation between an output's measurement and the actual output.
 
Alignment - Adjustments that bring a device to proper operation.
 
Analog Measurement - Measurement device that creates a continual output reading of the internal input signal.
 
Axial Strain - A strain on the same axis as the applied load or in the same direction of the load applied.
 
Calibration Curve - A record of the comparison of a device's output to the result of standard tests.
 
Capacitor - A storage device of energy.
 
Compensation - Using various devices, materials and processes to reduce known errors of a source.
 
Equilibrium - A state of balance or a steady state not undergoing change.
 
Fatigue Limit - The maximum amount of stress and deformation an object can handle.
 
Hertz (Hz) - The measurement of frequency in cycles per second.
 
K-Factor - The harmonic content of load current, which determines the safe maximum load on a power source.
 
Mean Stress - The difference between the maximum and minimum stress that an object can handle.
 
Metrology - The science of weight and measurement, or a system of weights and measurement.
 
Nonlinearity - The maximum deviation on a calibration curve from a straight line that is drawn among various outputs of a device, expressed as a percentage.
 
Output - The signal or measurement that is produced by a device.
 
Range - The span of values at which a meter or device will read accurately without overloading.
 
Resistor - Electrical load or impedance device.
 
Resolution - The minimal change of output in a device that is detectable.
 
Torque - The measure of force applied that causes rotational motion.