Calibration FAQs
What is calibration?The accuracy of the electronic components used in all instruments naturally drifts over time. Time in service as well as environmental conditions also add to this drift. As time progresses, changes in component properties will cause greater uncertainty in your measurements. Eventually, the drift causes the instrument’s uncertainty to become undefined, meaning the manufacturer can no longer predict the uncertainty and guarantee measurement results. To resolve this issue, instruments must be calibrated at regular intervals as defined by the manufacturer. Calibration involves comparing an instrument’s performance to a standard of known accuracy. The result of a calibration may be documentation showing the deviation of a measurement from the known standard or it may also include adjusting the instrument’s measurement capability to improve measurement accuracy. Calibration is intended to quantify and improve the measurement accuracy of your instrument. The benefits of maintaining properly calibrated equipment include:
For most measurement devices, NI supplies graduated accuracy tables, providing you with a better uncertainty profile for the life of your measurement device. NI recommends that you periodically calibrate your hardware to ensure measurement accuracy and to keep your devices operating in peak precision. Why is calibration important?Calibrating regularly can help you ensure quality and customer satisfaction. Improperly maintained test equipment can cost you money by impacting your productivity and your customer’s success. You can avoid unscheduled downtime, costly quality problems, and product recalls by ensuring that you regularly calibrate your measurement hardware. NI calibration services help make sure that every measurement is as good as the first measurement by verifying the accuracy of your measurements and adjusting them back to specification when necessary. With all levels of calibration service, NI provides a certificate of calibration as documented proof that the hardware meets published specifications at the time of calibration. And because measurement instruments calibrated by NI are traceable to international standards through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the Americas and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Europe, you know that your measurements are comparable to some of the most accurate in the world. How often does my device need to be calibrated?After a period of time, a manufacturer can no longer predict the uncertainty and guarantee measurement results. To resolve this issue, instruments must be calibrated at regular intervals as defined by the manufacturer. This calibration interval is provided in the product manual. However, this interval is only a recommendation. An instrument must be calibrated as often as needed to provide the level of accuracy for the needs of the application. As drift tends to worsen over time, an application that requires a high level of accuracy may require that the device be calibrated at more frequent intervals than recommended by the manufacturer. Are all NI products calibrated?National Instruments manufactures many types of products. While some do not require calibration, the majority of test and measurement products that NI manufactures do require calibration to maintain measurement accuracy. To determine if your device requires periodic recalibration, consult the product manual for the specified calibration interval or refer to the calibration product and price list for a complete list of calibrated products and available services.  Supported Products, Prices, and Part Numbers (147 KB PDF)
What is the difference between basic and detailed calibration?
Does NI provide express or on-site calibration services?Through independent calibration service providers additional calibration services are available for NI products, such as express calibration services, on-site calibration services, and calibration services for instrumentation products that are not from NI. List of Independent Calibration ProvidersThe following independent laboratories may provide local calibration services for NI products. They are business entities independent from NI and have no agency, partnership, or joint-venture relationship with NI. The companies are solely responsible for their services and NI recommends that you research their capabilities before using their services. NI does not warrant, endorse, or assume responsibility for the performance of any of the companies. Although they may provide calibration services for NI products, NI has not tested and does not endorse or certify the companies or their services. NI DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES FOR AND MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Americas
United States
Dynamic Technology
SE Laboratories
Anmar Metrology, Inc.
Lockheed Martin
Essco Calibration Laboratory
Laerie Inc
Canada EuropeUKDowding & Mills Calibration and Electronics Contacts: Bob Scales (technical), Peter Martin (sales) 60 Wilbury Way Hitchin Hertfordshire SG4 0TA Tel: +44 (0) 1462 421234 Fax: +44 (0) 1462 420012 E-mail: calibration.hitchin@dowdingandmills.com Web: www.dowdingandmills.com
Ireland
Switzerland
RUAG Electronics
Germany
Fluke Deutschland GmbH
Austria
Sweden Asia/Pacific
China
Taiwan
Singapore
Japan |
