Why Calibrate?

What is Calibration and why is it important?

What is Calibration?

Calibration is the process of comparing the accuracy of an instruments readings to known standards who’s traceability is maintained by National or International standards.

Why is it Important?

Without Calibration you do not have a recognised method of ensuring that the equipment used for testing is accurate. You may fail equipment that is perfectly fine or more importantly, you may issue a pass Certificate on an instrument that should have failed and could possibly be dangerous.

What Calibration Period?

This is always a tricky question, it does not make sense to pay for constant re-calibrations, but equally can you risk sending out equipment that may be out of specification due to your test equipment being out of calibration, leadin

g to a costly recall. We would suggest a minimum of yearly and six monthly for critical equipment.

I have a Checkbox; Can I not just use this and check my own Instruments?

Checkboxes were never intended to replace an annual calibration check. They are intended to be used to confirm on-going accuracy and functionality between your annual calibration. Most checkboxes only have a very limited number of values that can be used to check against, compare this to the whole list of readings that you receive from a calibration laboratory who will be checking your equipment on calibrators which costs many thousands of pounds.

By using a calibration laboratory you can be sure that every range on your equipment is comprehensively checked giving you and your customers peace of mind in the results obtained.

More and more customers are requesting to see calibration certificates of equipment used on their sites. Showing them a checkbox or a certificate showing half a dozen readings obtained from a checkbox is not really good enough.

The UK’s leading test equipment manufacturers, all recommend annual calibration in a calibration laboratory to ensure ongoing accuracy verification of their equipment.

What is UKAS?

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole UK National Accreditation body recognized by the government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection & Calibration Services.

What is the difference between UKAS & standard traceable Calibration?

UKAS Certificates are generally more expensive as there are specific standards that must be complied with to issue a UKAS Certificate. Any Certificates issued will bear the UKAS Logo and will be fully traceable back to National Standards; UKAS carefully monitor laboratories to ensure compliance with BS EN 17025:2005.

Standard Traceable Certificates can also be of an extremely high calibre and also use standards traceable back to national standards.?All procedures employed and results reported are in compliance with the international standards.

Why should I use a supplier registered to UKAS?

Using a UKAS accredited supplier for your Calibration service means that you are confident of a professional quality service of the highest quality. UKAS Accreditation is an assurance to businesses that suppliers meet internationally recognised requirements for integrity and competence through regular UKAS assessments.