Technical Support and Calibration Services at Selectech Lab Equipment Supplier

Understanding Calibration

What is Calibration?

Calibration is the comparison of an instrument against a known standard. It involves comparing the measurements of two instruments: standards (with a known magnitude of correctness) and a test instrument (one that you would like to ascertain).

Comparing to a Known Standard

You can compare the process of calibration with setting the time on a clock. When your time has gone out (due to the passing of time or a power failure), you check it against a known standard, such as phoning the time standard or another known accurate timepiece. Then, you compare it with the time displayed and adjust it if necessary.

Field Checks and Calibration Standards

A field check is a simple comparison between two meters. Although it can sometimes point out a problem, it is not an accurate calibration. For calibration to be effective, the calibration standard must be more accurate than the instrument being tested. Calibration typically involves a standard of at least 10 times the accuracy of the test instrument.

NIST-Traceable Standards

An NIST-traceable standard is one that has paperwork showing it compares correctly to a chain of standards going back to a master standard maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. If a test instrument does not conform to the standard, then correction and repairs will need to be performed to bring the instrument back into calibration. If the report shows significant calibration errors, the user may need to go back and redo the measurements taken since the previous calibration.

Importance of Calibrating Your Testing Instruments

Maintaining Measurement Accuracy

Regular calibration ensures that your testing instruments maintain accurate and reliable measurements over time. As components within instruments may shift or degrade, calibration corrects any deviations, ensuring consistent and trustworthy results.

Ensuring Compliance and Quality

Calibration is often required to meet industry standards, regulations, and quality assurance requirements. By calibrating your instruments, you demonstrate compliance with standards and ensure the quality and reliability of your testing processes.

Minimizing Measurement Errors

Calibration helps minimize measurement errors, ensuring that your testing instruments provide precise and accurate results. By identifying and correcting any inaccuracies or drifts, calibration enhances the validity and integrity of your data.

Optimizing Performance

Regular calibration optimizes the performance of your testing instruments, extending their lifespan and maximizing their efficiency. By maintaining instruments in peak condition through calibration, you ensure consistent and optimal performance for your testing needs.

Enhancing Customer Satisfaction

Calibrating your testing instruments demonstrates your commitment to quality and accuracy, enhancing customer satisfaction and confidence in your products or services. By delivering reliable and precise results, you build trust and credibility with your customers.

Precision and Accuracy in Calibration

Understanding Precision

Precision refers to the degree of repeatability in measurements under unchanged conditions. In calibration, precise measurements consistently yield the same results, indicating minimal variation or uncertainty.

Importance of Accuracy

Accuracy is the closeness of measurements to the true value of the quantity being measured. Achieving accurate results ensures that measurements reflect the actual conditions or characteristics being assessed.

Interplay Between Precision and Accuracy

In calibration, precision and accuracy are interconnected. While precision ensures consistency in measurements, accuracy ensures alignment with the true value. Calibration procedures aim to optimize both precision and accuracy to enhance the reliability and validity of measurements.

Calibration for Precise and Accurate Measurements

Calibration plays a critical role in achieving precise and accurate measurements. By calibrating instruments against known standards and correcting any deviations, calibration ensures that instruments maintain optimal performance, thereby enhancing the quality and reliability of measurements.

How Often Should Instruments be Calibrated?

Frequency Guidelines

The frequency of calibration is crucial to maintaining the accuracy and reliability of your instruments. While the norm is to calibrate once annually, it's essential to consider various factors that may affect calibration frequency.

Quality Auditor Specifications

Calibration frequency is often specified by quality auditors based on industry standards and regulatory requirements. Adhering to these guidelines ensures compliance and quality assurance.

Consideration of Factors

Factors such as instrument usage, environmental conditions, criticality of measurements, and manufacturer recommendations should also be taken into account when determining the calibration schedule.

Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance and calibration help identify any deviations or drifts in instrument performance, allowing for timely adjustments or repairs to maintain accuracy and precision.

Consultation with Experts

If you're uncertain about the appropriate calibration schedule for your instruments, consulting with calibration experts or manufacturers can provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your specific needs.

How to Arrange a Calibration with Selectech?

Service Offerings

Selectech offers comprehensive calibration services, including repair and verification of instruments.

Inspection Fee

The inspection fee is R1600.00 ex VAT payable if the quotation/repair/calibration/verification is rejected. If our quote is accepted, the inspection fee is waived.

Payment Process

For non-account holders, payment is required before repair/calibration/verification commences. Email proof of payment can be sent to sales@selectech.co.za.

Delivery and On-site Services

Instruments can either be delivered to: Apple Street, Blueberry Office Park, Block B unit 11, or collection can be arranged with Selectech. Should you require an on-site calibration, a call-out fee will be applicable.

Get in Touch

To find out more about the instruments we can calibrate or to arrange a calibration service, please send an email to sales@selectech.co.za.

Contact Information