The importance of calibrating your electrical testing equipment

Calibration in a nutshell

Calibration is the process in which measurements or units of unknown accuracy are compared to standards of greater accuracy. In short, calibration determines whether a manufacturer’s stated specifications are of a suitable standard. As a general rule of thumb, a 4:1 ratio is an acceptable industry standard reading.

Calibration is all about having confidence in the measurement results you receive, and to maintain confidence throughout the service life of your instruments, it’s important to undertake this process regularly.

Why, and how often, should I calibrate my instruments?

As with a yearly MOT checks the health of your vehicle, and unearths any underlying problems, electrical testing calibration is no different. It goes without saying that the precision of your testing equipment will reduce as times goes by, simply through daily usage. For example, changes in temperature or accidentally dropping your instruments could affect the PCB and cause it to fall outside of its specification.

Tip: As simple as it may sound, consider adding a specific date to your calendar as a reminder and stick to that date yearly. Planning is essential.

Cutting corners shouldn’t be an option

Operating with any sort of electrical equipment comes with its dangers, so we advise on taking zero risks. It’s previously been reported that some companies have stuck their own calibration stickers over the original certifications to make them appear to last longer. This isn’t only not best practice, but highly dangerous for users.

With safety always a prime concern, we recommend to never operate with any electrical or testing equipment that has unofficial certification. These labels are designed to ensure users that instruments are in perfect working order and indicate the exact date on which they were last verified. To ensure maximum safety and accuracy, always check the original documentation before operating with your testing equipment.

If you would like any further information on Electrical Testing Equipment and the calibration process, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our MRO & Safety Equipment specialists on 0121 508 6000 to discuss your options.