At Pedak we carry out annual calibrations on a large number of gauges, either in our workshop or at our customers’ premises. People often ask us what calibration is exactly, and what the difference is between calibration and adjustment. We are happy to explain this to you!
Calibration
Determining the deviation of a measuring instrument, sensor, whether a reference instrument or otherwise, from a specific standard.
Calibration therefore means that only the magnitude of the deviation in relation to the standard is established. As a rule, the identified deviations are recorded on a calibration certificate. With calibration, no adjustments are carried out on the instrument.
Adjustment
Setting a measuring instrument, whether a reference instrument or otherwise, to work as accurately as possible, or to make it suitable for its intended purpose.
Adjustment involves carrying out work on the measuring instrument to ensure optimum operational accuracy.
An adjustment is usually performed following a calibration. After adjustment, the measuring instrument has to be recalibrated. A good calibration certificate includes the measurement results both before and after adjustment. It also indicates whether the measurement values fall within the accepted tolerance.
When calibrating at Pedak we inspect your measuring instrument, calibrate it and adjust it where possible and if desired. If we find a defect, we will get in touch with you.
Verification
A special inspection in which the measuring instrument, whether a reference instrument or otherwise, undergoes thorough testing for compliance with legal requirements. All measuring devices in commercial use must be verified regularly to ensure that the measurements still meet legal requirements (specifications). It establishes whether a measuring instrument, whether a reference instrument or otherwise, fully complies with current legal requirements. The result of verification is a value judgement: pass or fail.
Verification is comprehensive. This means we assess not only the instrument’s measurement accuracy but also its suitability. For example: can the measuring instrument in question measure 1,000 volts within the specified tolerance requirements and is it in fact suitable for measuring 1,000 volts.