An appropriate calibration, or calibration strategy, means that instruments are calibrated as often as required, and to a suitable level of accuracy and traceability, taking into consideration:

• the type of measurements for which the instruments are used
• the level of importance of the measurements
• the degree of confidence that is required in the measurements.

An appropriate calibration is not necessarily a lower-cost or lower-grade calibration. It is also not necessarily a more expensive calibration. It is a cost-effective calibration, appropriate for the needs of the user.

In some cases it may be possible that calibration intervals can be extended, or the extent of calibration can be reduced, as long as the consequences of such actions are fully understood.

However, there may be cases where instruments are used for high priority measurements, or where equipment is used or stored in a more demanding or damaging environment, for example, where there is shock, vibration, moisture, dirt, dust or temperature extremes. In these cases it may be appropriate for calibration to be carried out more often or to a higher degree of accuracy, to ensure lower uncertainties in the measurements.

Overview of Calibration Options >>