Wiktor Wise
Calibration is a critical process for electrical test equipment, ensuring accuracy, safety, and compliance with industry standards. The process involves testing and fine-tuning devices to measure electrical parameters accurately and deliver reliable data. Given the high voltages involved with electrical tools, which can be extremely dangerous, calibration is not just a formality but also proof of quality. The calibration process includes choosing a standard, testing, calibrating, and reporting, with the specific steps depending on the equipment type. Calibration services are widely available, with some offering expedited or same-day calibration.
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What You'll Learn
Calibration standards
In the UK, for example, the calibration of electrical test equipment is governed by regulations such as the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which mandates the maintenance of electrical systems to prevent danger, and BS EN 61557, which provides specifications for test equipment used in general electrical installations. Additionally, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK has issued GS38, a set of guidelines specifically for electrical testing, ensuring safety and best practices.
Internationally, the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) sets standards for industries, equipment, and services worldwide. ISO 9001, for instance, is a quality standard that requires companies to calibrate their measurement equipment and document the processes. ISO/IEC 17025 is another standard used by calibration laboratories to ensure the validity of their results.
When calibrating electrical test equipment, it is essential to use a calibration standard that is significantly more accurate than the device being calibrated. This ensures the reliability and accuracy of the measurements, which is crucial in industries where electrical measurements are critical, such as manufacturing, inspection, and medical environments.
The accuracy of electrical test equipment is not just a matter of best practice but also a legal and safety requirement. By adhering to calibration standards and guidelines, businesses can maintain the safety of their electrical systems and protect their staff and end-users from potential health and safety risks.
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Calibration accuracy
The accuracy of electrical test instruments can drift over time, so it is crucial to calibrate them regularly to maintain accuracy. The calibration frequency depends on the instrument and the manufacturer's recommendations. Some instruments may require calibration at least once a year or more frequently if used in critical applications. Critical measurements and projects requiring highly accurate results necessitate the use of calibrated equipment, which should be locked down until testing begins.
The calibration process involves testing the electrical equipment against a precise reference device that complies with local and international standards. The unit under test (UUT) is calibrated to match the readings of the reference device, ensuring accuracy, safety, and compliance. This process includes choosing a standard, testing, calibrating, and reporting.
To achieve accurate results, engineers input a known value into the device and adjust its settings until the output matches the input. This minimizes the impact of the standard on the accuracy of the instrument's calibration. Calibration technicians must be familiar with the standards and procedures to ensure reliable outputs.
Accreditation from relevant bodies, such as ISO 17025 2017, demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of calibration. Laboratories with UKAS accreditation, for example, assure manufacturers that their equipment is properly calibrated for safety, efficiency, and performance. Regular calibration by accredited laboratories ensures compliance, safety, and the quality of final products.
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Calibration safety
To achieve calibration safety, electrical test instruments must undergo regular calibration to meet industry standards and regulations. The calibration process involves testing equipment against a precise reference device that complies with local and international standards. This reference device, known as a multifunction electrical tester calibrator, is at least four times more accurate than the unit under test. By comparing the readings of the two devices, calibrators ensure the accuracy and safety of the equipment.
The frequency of calibration depends on industry recommendations, manufacturer guidelines, and the specific circumstances of use. As a general guideline, industry best practices suggest calibrations should occur at intervals not exceeding 12 months. However, certain scenarios may require more frequent calibrations, such as before and after critical measuring projects or in industries like construction where equipment is more susceptible to physical impacts.
To ensure safety, it is crucial to choose a reputable calibration partner accredited by recognised organisations. In the UK, for example, laboratories with UKAS accreditation demonstrate competence in line with ISO 17025 standards. This accreditation provides assurance that the laboratory can properly calibrate electronic test equipment to guarantee safety, efficiency, and performance.
Additionally, it is important to consider the turnaround time for calibration services. While the calibration process itself can be quick, ranging from 15 minutes to an hour, laboratories may have varying turnaround times. Choosing a supplier with affordable prices and efficient turnaround times enables regular calibrations, contributing to overall calibration safety.
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Calibration frequency
Industry best practices advise leaving no more than 12 months between calibrations. Calibration can be done monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, depending on the nature of the project and the equipment's usage. If critical measurements are involved, shorter intervals between calibrations are recommended to reduce the chances of questionable test results.
Before starting a major critical measuring project, it is advisable to send the instruments for calibration and then store them securely until testing begins. This ensures the most accurate results. After the project, the same equipment should be sent for calibration to confirm the accuracy of the testing results.
Additionally, certain events, such as physical impacts or electrical shocks, may require immediate calibration to ensure the equipment's accuracy is not compromised.
It is also worth noting that keeping records of measurements and calibrations is essential to satisfy guidelines from assessment bodies and avoid compliance, safety, and litigation issues.
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Calibration services
One such company is Transcat, which offers accredited electrical calibration services for a comprehensive range of meters and testers, including multimeters, sensors, power supplies, transmitters, and various types of RF test equipment such as oscilloscopes and scopemeters. They hold ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and provide calibration capabilities for AC Resistors and Current, DC Resistance and Current, DC/AC-LF Voltage, LF Capacitance, LF Power/Energy, and more. Transcat calibrates equipment from various manufacturers, including Fluke, Megger, AEMC, Extech, and Amprobe.
Another provider of calibration services is ETI, specialising in onsite calibration of mechanical and electrical test equipment at their customers' locations in Princeton, New Jersey. They also offer a mail-in service with a quick turnaround time of 5 to 8 business days. ETI is an ISO 9001:2015-accredited calibration laboratory and repairs all major brand names and models of electrical testing instruments. Their capabilities include calibrating and repairing multimeters, oscilloscopes, power analyzers, circuit breaker testers, power supplies, and more.
MicronPA is another company offering electronic calibration services. They hold multiple accreditations, including ISO/IEC 17025:2005(E) and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994, ensuring reliable and accurate calibration procedures. During the calibration process, they input a known value into the device and adjust the output to match, ensuring the equipment's reading aligns with the known input.
These calibration service providers ensure that electrical test instruments perform according to specifications, meet regulatory standards, and deliver reliable outputs. By partnering with these specialists, companies can maintain the quality and accuracy of their test equipment, comply with safety regulations, and extend the lifespan of their critical instruments.
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Frequently asked questions
Calibration is the process of testing a measuring instrument to ensure it operates within acceptable accuracy ranges. In electronics, this means testing and fine-tuning devices to measure electrical parameters accurately, ensuring they deliver reliable data.
The accuracy of electrical test equipment is vital for ensuring the safety, performance and efficiency of products and services in a range of industries. Precise engineering and manufacturing require accurate and reliable electrical test equipment, as small mistakes can jeopardise entire production processes.
There is no one-size-fits-all calibration schedule. Depending on usage frequency and required accuracy, calibration may be needed monthly, yearly, or even less frequently. Generally, the more critical the measurements, the more frequent the calibration. Accidental damage to an instrument may also require immediate calibration.
Various health and safety standards are required globally for electrical calibration to ensure safety. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates workplace health and safety and requires all electrical equipment to follow approved codes of practice to minimise hazards. Businesses that calibrate electronic test equipment often seek accreditation from relevant bodies to demonstrate reliability and commitment to high standards.
The exact steps depend on the type of equipment. The process includes basic activities such as choosing a standard, testing, calibrating, and reporting. Calibration involves inputting a known value into the device and observing any deviation in the output. The goal is to minimise this deviation and ensure the equipment's readings match the reference device.
