What are the different types of calibration?

Calibration can be broadly broken into 5 categories, depending on the instrument and the quantity it measures. Although this is not an exhaustive list, most calibrations carried out by technicians fall within one of the five types described below.

1. Pressure Calibration

Pressure calibration is important in many industries that work with gasses, steam and hydraulics. Common pressure instruments that are regularly calibrated are:

• Digital Pressure Gauges

• Analogue Pressure Gauges

• Pressure Sensors and Transducers

• Barometers

2. Temperature Calibration

Temperature calibration is crucial in industries that work with controlled temperature environments. Temperature is typically calibrated by placing a thermometer in a stable reference environment, and then comparing the reading to a standard or reference thermometer. Some instruments that require temperature calibrations are:

• Thermometers

• Thermocouples and Thermistors

• Cool Rooms/Freezers

• Ovens/Furnaces

3. Flow Calibration

Flow calibration is necessary for industrial and commercial applications that rely on flow rate measurements of a fluid (liquid or gas). Examples of flow rate measurements are volumetric and mass flow rates. Various types of flow meters, such as thermal mass and laminar, measure flow rates for different purposes.

4. Electrical Calibration

Electrical calibration refers to calibrating instruments that measure electrical parameters. Examples of these include: voltage, current, resistance, inductance, capacitance, time and frequency. Precise devices, such as a precise digital multimeter, can perform calibrations and verify the units under test (UUT). Instruments that require electrical calibration include:

• Oscilloscopes

• Data Loggers

• Electrical Meters

• Frequency Counters

5. Mechanical Calibration

Mechanical calibration refers to calibrating instruments that measure mechanical parameters. Examples of these include: mass, volume, density, force, torque, angle, flatness and vibration. Some of the most frequently calibrated mechanical instruments are:

• Scales/Balances

• Load Cells and Force Gauges

• Micrometers and Vernier Calipers

• Torque Wrenches

What now?

Calworld Technologies offers reliable weight scale and temperature calibration services that guarantee dependable readings and measurements. We may also calibrate other instruments upon request. All our calibrations are carried out in accordance to national and international standards, such as ISO 17025.