Thursday, January 16, 2014

Instrument Calibration: Why It's A Necessity | Hazards of Inaccurate Calibration

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Industry, Source: paparutzi, CC-BY-3.0, via Flickr
Those working in the industrial sector understand how important it is to obtain properly calibrated instruments. At its simplest, calibration means comparing an instrument to a known reference value.
Industries like the railroad system, cars, power plants and other crucial companies need accuracy when it comes to performing their job. Corporations like power plants need every bit of accurate information from their instruments since one minor difference or imprecise reading can possibly result in sticky situations.

Hazards of Inaccurate Calibration

There are plenty of possible hazards caused by inexact readings. For one, a company could lose their licence if their instruments are improperly calibrated. Companies or businesses that deal with weights, for instance, need to have their instruments regularly calibrated. Not doing so could result in the wrong mass of products or materials offered to customers. This, in turn, could ruin business relationships with clients.

Why Calibrating is a Must

Industry, Source: Rhys A, CC-BY-3.0, via Flickr
Calibrating an instrument has many advantages and benefits. For important industries, it’s actually a necessity to do this.

One primary reason instruments need to be calibrated is for safety. Safety is always a top concern for many companies, big or small. Chemical plants, for example, need to make sure that the right amount of chemicals and compounds are mixed to avoid dangerous situations from happening. If one weighing instrument is improperly calibrated, errors can occur especially in cases where precise measurements are critical.

This is also quite true in production environments where controlled temperatures are necessary. Temperature gauges must be accurate to ensure the employees as well as the environment itself remains safe. Industries and businesses that deal with gases or oils need to be able to monitor temperatures and adjust it accordingly if there’s a spike or fluctuation in the gauge.

The auto industry also requires proper calibration for their gauges. Not doing so could result in variable speed results which in turn can be potentially hazardous to the driver and pedestrians when on the road. Moreover, railway systems also need accurately calibrated railway components to keep them running smoothly.

Company profits can also become affected by the calibration process. Companies that require plant maintenance or those whose products are directly affected by the invoicing can lose profits if the instruments they use to measure their products are not accurate.

When to Calibrate Instruments

Knowing how to calibrate is one thing but identifying when to do it is also necessary. Majority of instruments when first received from the manufacturer will often come with recommended calibration intervals. It’s important to follow this.

On the other hand, it would also be helpful to have data or a record of when each instrument has been calibrated. This will help owners or the company keep track of its calibration history.

When necessary, it is also possible to hire a specific company that offers top notch calibration services. Equipment breakdowns and other problems can be fixed easily or altogether avoided if regular calibration check-ups are performed.

Regardless of the type of industry, each instrument must receive proper care and attention to ensure that the end product or results are accurate.

About Author: Debra Wright
Debra Wright is a creative and innovative blogger and online marketing specialist. She uses her wordsmith skills to share her ideas, thoughts, and tips to other people about topics that fascinate her, such as technology. Follow Debra on twitter @debrawrites...

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